Category: News

Every Dollar Doubled: Give Hope and Healing to Aussie Farmers

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Rural Aid is inviting Australians to show their care for the bush this tax time, with a special opportunity to have donations doubled, thanks to the generosity of the Raine & Horne Foundation.

Starting on Friday 23 May, all donations made at taxtime.ruralaid.org.au will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000 per donation. The Raine & Horne Foundation will match donations until a $25,000 total is reached—a heartfelt gift helping bring comfort and support to farming families in need.
 
This giving initiative marks Raine & Horne’s 142nd anniversary and celebrates the renewal of a generous $100,000 partnership with Rural Aid.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the support couldn’t come at a more meaningful time.
 
“Farming families across Australia continue to face extraordinary challenges—from extreme weather to emotional strain and isolation,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Behind every donation is a message of care, and thanks to the Raine & Horne Foundation, that message will now reach twice as far.”
 
Donations to the Tax Appeal directly support Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, delivering:

  • Free, confidential counselling for farmers and their families
  • On-the-ground wellbeing visits in rural communities
  • Community resilience programs that foster hope, connection, and recovery

“The power of a matched donation isn’t just in the dollars—it’s in the hope it brings,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“When you give, you’re letting a farmer know that someone is thinking of them, someone cares. That means the world.”
 
Australians are encouraged to take part in this special week of giving and help Rural Aid continue walking beside our farmers—through life’s toughest seasons.
 
To donate and have your kindness matched, visit https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au before $25,000 is reached.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Celebrating the Heart of Rural Australia: Volunteers Connect Communities with Rural Aid

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As National Volunteer Week (19–25 May 2025) shines a spotlight on the incredible contribution of volunteers across Australia, Rural Aid is proud to celebrate the everyday heroes who dedicate their time and energy to supporting our farming communities.

This year’s theme, “Connecting Communities,” couldn’t be more fitting. Volunteers are the beating heart of Rural Aid – helping to rebuild, reconnect and rejuvenate rural Australia through hands-on support, empathy, and enduring commitment.
 
“Volunteers are the human connection between city and country,” said Rural Aid CEO Mr John Warlters. “They show up not just with tools and time, but with compassion. Their efforts remind our farmers that they are not alone – that Australians care deeply about those who grow the food and fibre that sustains us all.”
 
From lending a hand during Farm Recovery Events, to supporting fundraising efforts, to being part of our dedicated Farm Army and Community Builders programs, volunteers are involved in every corner of Rural Aid’s work.

  • Farm Recovery Events bring volunteers together to repair fences, paint homesteads, plant trees and more – helping to restore not just properties, but spirits.
  • Community Builders work alongside locals to revitalise struggling regional towns, delivering long-term support and practical improvements.
  • The Farm Army connects skilled and unskilled volunteers with farmers in need of a helping hand – whether that’s for a weekend or a few months.

“The impact our volunteers make is immeasurable,” said Mr Warlters. “Every hour they give translates to hope for a farming family doing it tough. In Rural Aid’s ten-year history, our volunteers have contributed more than 50,000 hours of their time – a staggering show of generosity and commitment. Volunteering is a way of saying thank you to the farmers who work tirelessly to feed and clothe the nation.”
 
Rural Aid is calling on Australians – individuals, corporate teams, and community groups – to consider giving their time, skills or resources to rural communities.
 
👉 To volunteer, visit: www.ruralaid.org.au/volunteers
👉 To donate and support Rural Aid’s vital work, visit: www.ruralaid.org.au/donate
 
This National Volunteer Week, let’s celebrate the power of connection – and the volunteers who bring Australia’s communities together.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Expands Mental Health Program to Four More Schools Across Regional Australia

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Rural Aid is bringing its highly regarded Mustering Growth program to four primary schools across New South Wales and Victoria in May and June, continuing its mission to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people in rural communities.

The five-session program, which helps build resilience and foster personal growth, will be delivered at:

  • Modanville Public School, NSW | 19–23 May
  • Balliang East Public School, VIC | 19–23 May
  • Dartmoor Public School, VIC | 16–20 June
  • Blakebrook Public School, NSW | 16–20 June

Mustering Growth aims to equip students with the skills to manage the emotional and social challenges often faced in rural areas. From pressures related to farming life to isolation and lack of mental health resources, rural children are disproportionately impacted by issues that can affect their wellbeing.
 
Since its inception in 2023, the program has reached over 800 students across 32 schools, helping children develop vital skills such as emotional regulation, resilience, and coping strategies.
 
“The challenges rural kids face are unique. Many grow up in isolated areas where access to mental health services can be limited, and stress from farming life often affects their emotional wellbeing,” said Myf Pitcher, Rural Aid’s Manager – Mental Health and Wellbeing. “Mustering Growth gives them the tools to not only cope with those pressures but to thrive in spite of them.”
 
The program is designed to help students:

  • Understand and express their emotions
  • Build confidence and personal resilience
  • Strengthen connections with peers

Learn strategies to cope with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty
 
This latest round of Mustering Growth is part of Rural Aid’s broader commitment to improving mental health in rural communities. The program is supported through the Tax Appeal, which raises essential funds to continue offering these services to more schools.
 
“Mental health support for rural kids is more important than ever. With the rising pressures of rural life, the Mustering Growth program helps ensure that children are not facing these challenges alone,” said Pitcher. “Every donation to our Tax Appeal makes a significant impact, helping us to continue this vital work across regional Australia.”
 
To support the mental health and wellbeing of rural students, donate today at https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au/.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

New Voice for the Bush: AFLW Star Alyce Parker Becomes Rural Aid Ambassador

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Rural Aid is proud to welcome AFLW star Alyce Parker as its newest ambassador, as the charity continues to strengthen its support for farming families and rural communities across the country.

Parker, a key midfielder for the GWS Giants and a proud product of Holbrook, New South Wales, brings a deeply personal connection to regional Australia. Her upbringing on the land has shaped her understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural communities — from natural disasters and economic hardship to access to essential services.
 
“Growing up in rural Australia, I saw firsthand how tough life on the land can be,” Parker said. “It taught me resilience, but it also opened my eyes to how much rural Australians give — and how often they go without the support they need. I’m honoured to join Rural Aid in standing with those communities and helping ensure they’re heard and supported.”
 
As ambassador, Parker will advocate across all of Rural Aid’s services — including mental health and wellbeing programs, financial and emergency relief, and community development initiatives. She will help elevate the voices of rural Australians, strengthen community engagement, and highlight the important work Rural Aid is doing to build resilience and connection.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Parker’s appointment reflects the organisation’s deep commitment to holistic support for rural Australia.
 
“Alyce embodies the values at the heart of Rural Aid — strength, compassion, and community,” Warlters said. “Her authenticity and rural roots make her a powerful voice for our mission, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Rural Aid family.”
 
With Parker’s support, Rural Aid aims to continue delivering meaningful assistance to rural Australians doing it tough — from counselling and hay deliveries to community projects and drought recovery.
 
For more information about Rural Aid’s programs or to donate, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Launches Urgent Appeal to Support Farmer Mental Health Plight

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This tax time, Rural Aid is calling on every Australian to take action—because no farmer should stand alone.

Right now, in the heart of rural Australia, farmers are silently battling mental health struggles. Behind every fence line and machinery shed are men and women carrying the crushing weight of droughts, floods, skyrocketing costs, and isolation. The reality is stark: Australian farmers are dying by suicide at rates 59% higher than the national average.
 
These aren’t just statistics—they are lives lost, families shattered, and communities forever changed. Nearly half of all farmers have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Yet many suffer in silence, unable or unwilling to ask for help.
 
Rural Aid is asking Australians to stand up and take action for our farmers. Your support can help to fund critical ongoing mental health services, offer crisis counselling, and ensure farmers have someone to turn to when it matters most. This isn’t just about farming—it’s about securing a future where farmers and their families feel supported through challenging times.
 
“Access to mental healthcare in rural areas is often limited or non-existent,” said Rural Aid CEO Mr John Warlters. “Many farmers simply don’t have the support they need to cope with the challenges they face daily. We need to address this critical gap.”
 
Carol Hill, a farmer from Coraki in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, has experienced firsthand the emotional strain of working the land. After enduring years of drought, bushfires and floods, she says the support from Rural Aid was life-changing.
 
“You don’t want to admit that you’re struggling. Farmers are strong, but sometimes we need support, too,” said Carol.
 
“I was really thankful for Rural Aid for reaching out and asking, ‘Hey Carol, do you need help? Let’s talk about it.’ And I think without them, I probably would have gone under.”
 
While 75% of farmers say they would reach out to a counsellor, 38% report difficulty accessing services. Rural Aid’s mental health team is working to close that gap—but we need the public’s support to help more farmers.
 
“We’re asking Australians to stand up to help ensure No Farmer Stands Alone. A donation this tax time will help to deliver free, professional mental health support to rural Australians who need it most,” said Warlters. “It’s a chance to show our farmers that they’re not alone.”
 
Rural Aid’s free mental health programs make a critical difference for farmers and their families. Rural Aid delivers:

  • One-on-one professional counselling via on-farm visits and regular check-in calls
  • Community mental health workshops that open up conversations and reduce stigma around talking about personal wellbeing
  • School programs that build resilience in rural children and teens

To support mental health in rural Australia and make sure No Farmer Stands Alone, please donate today https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au/.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au