A message from EO David Stafford

What an honour it is to be able to ‘be there’ for our region’s farmers and small business owners during the tougher times. 

We see how hard you work – all hours and all seasons, through drought, flood and bushfires, and more – and we all benefit, from local employment to keeping local schools open and sports clubs going, an abundance of fresh, healthy food and local shops to amazing day-trip or getaway destinations around the region. 

Farmers and small business owners hold up billion dollar industries that keep Australia competitive, prosperous and self sufficient. We can’t imagine where we’d be without you. And we want you to know that we are here for you too.

Heroes need help sometimes too. 

The RFCS has been been supporting Australian farmers for over 35 years, and now services regional small business – always independent, always free. 

RFCS Victoria West further supports local farmers and small business owners through our unique wellbeing services, also delivered on farm or at your business premises, with remote options. 

Today, we launch our new website. We’re also introducing 4 new wellbeing counsellors, working across Sunraysia-Millewa, Wimmera-Southern Mallee, Bendigo-Swan Hill, Central Highlands and the Great South Coast. (You can meet them at our wellbeing page.)

It’s fitting, as September brings Mullets for Mental Health (all month long), RUOK? Day on the 9th, and World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th. 

We wouldn’t be here without our team, working both in regional offices and remotely across Victoria’s regional west, covering over 30 local government areas.

I’d like to give thanks to our local community champions too – all who help others find their way to the RFCS, including former clients of the service who go on to become advocates for the service.

Our vision is strong rural communities and our theme for 2022-23 is ‘Rural. Regional. Remote. Connected.’  I invite you to get in touch and share your experiences and ideas for our primary producers and small business communities, and for building strong regional futures together.

David Stafford, Executive Officer