Rural Aid - helping farmers

8th November 2022

Rural Aid announces immediate financial help for flooded farmers

Australia's most trusted charity is offering immediate financial assistance to primary producers impacted by the recent flooding events. Eligible, registered farmers across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania can now apply for a $500 pre-paid visa card from Rural Aid. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the financial assistance will help farmers make ends meet in this difficult time. 

“Many farmers are in an anxious state right now, with flood water putting livestock, crops and livelihoods at serious risk,” Mr Warlters said. “When the flood water recedes and farmers survey the damage, the true extent of this flooding crisis will become clear. Rural Aid is standing with our farmers to help them work through what will be a lengthy, expensive and overwhelming recovery. This flood-specific financial assistance will help make the recovery that little bit easier.”

Leading agribusinesses GrainCorp and Elders have made generous donations collectively totalling $250,000 to support Rural Aid’s flood response efforts. Mr Warlters said the donations were very welcome and meant Rural Aid would be able to assist more families in more communities.

Deniliquin farmer and Rural Aid board member, Airlie Landale said the floods have been devastating.

“It is nearly summer, yet it still feels like winter is rolling on and haunting us. It feels wrong to be speaking about too much rain, but the impact of recent floods has been devastating for so many,” Airlie said.

“Farmers have lost thousands upon thousands of hectares of crop, producers have lost livestock, fences and their homes, and rural communities and businesses have been isolated and inundated with water. It will take months – if not years – for people to recover, but I know the strength and resilience of our rural people will once again shine though.”

Mr Warlters added that the Rural Aid counselling team is ready to travel to the worst-affected communities.

“Where flood waters have safely receded, Rural Aid’s counsellors are preparing to head on-farm to offer dozens of farmgate chats, cups of tea and formal counselling sessions.

“I’d encourage any primary producer not already registered with Rural Aid to sign up today to access the full range of assistance measures on offer,” Mr Warlters finished.

Farmers can register at www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624. Flood-affected farmers can apply for assistance here: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/services-provided/flood-assistance/

For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid media on media@ruralaid.org.au  or 0447 116 757.

News for November 2022