Rural Aid volunteer helping to clear debris on farm in preparation for bushfires.
Born from the 2015 El Niño declaration, Rural Aid began with the Buy A Bale campaign which was initiated to aid drought-stricken producers. Eight years later, Rural Aid has been established as Australia's most trusted rural charity with approximately 17,500 Aussie producers registered as recipients.
In light of the recent declaration of another El Niño event in 2023, Rural Aid is gathering its resources in preparation for a large influx of producers battling harsh environments. Here, Rural Aid's CEO John Warlters shares how you can access the right support if you find yourself in tough times.
I'm feeling down – what can I do to help myself feel better?
The first steps are to acknowledge those feelings and take time to do things you know you enjoy. This can be as simple as taking time for yourself to switch off with a good book or giving yourself the chance to have some fun by playing footy with the kids and enjoying time on the patio with your partner.
It's also really important to reserve time for your family, friends and community – whether this is having a yarn with your neighbour or making trips into town to watch a local sports team play. Being part of a community and being socially connected is one of the strongest urges we have as human beings, and it gives us the opportunity to ask for help or check in on others.
The next step is to reach out to the professionals. Rural Aid counsellors are always available for a chat. It's as easy as picking up the phone and calling 1300 175 594 from anywhere in Australia. Our expansive team of counsellors also attend livestock sales and industry meetings and are spotted at field days and farm walks, engaging with producers and building relationships.
Money is getting tight – where can I get financial support?
The financial support Rural Aid provides comes as a pre-paid VISA card that producers and their family can use in the way that best meets their individual needs. Inevitably, these dollars find their way back into the local community which is great as we all know how these businesses are similarly impacted when times are tough in the bush.
