Annual Training Conference

RFCS Victoria West is heading to Torquay this week to embark on its annual training conference. 

The conference is a rare opportunity for stakeholders to catch up face to face. Delegates will participate in team building exercises and learn more about current challenges facing farmers and small business owners. Off the back of a global pandemic and with severe weather events occuring more often, people in rural areas are feeling the pinch, both financially and mentally. The role of RFCS counsellors is to help clients navigate the pitfalls of running farms or small businesses through trying times. Engaging with stakeholders and training is a critical ingredient in ensuring the skills of RFCS staff are as good as they can be, and help ensure that they offer the best guidance possible.

This year, a range of highly experienced speakers will enlighten the team on various aspects of farm business and challenges for mental health. Rural Bank representatives will outline their thoughts on the Economic Outlook for the Ag Industry. Cam Nicholson from Nicon Rural Services will speak on Decision Making and Farm Carbon Credits.  A panel of community engagement workers from Meli, CAFS, and Anglicare will discuss Gambling Behaviour – how it is affecting rural communities, what we can do to address addiction, and how we can minimise the fallout?

Besides guest speakers, sessions will be held using case studies with open discussions on particular challenges and approaches for best outcomes. Formal training concludes with a discussion about what the organisation has learned in 2023 and what we expect to face in the coming year.

For an organisation that covers half of Victoria with staff based in several rural and regional towns, it is vitally important for opportunities like annual conferences to help unite people and share experiences. While RFCS pride themselves on face to face visits with clients, their staff most commonly communicate with each other via online services like video calls or emails. But while technology provides efficiencies in this area, there’s nothing quite like meeting somebody in the flesh to form a strong working relationship and Torquay is especially anticipated for new staff members who will be putting faces to names.

RFCS Victorial West would like to thank event sponsors Melbourne Convention Bureau and Business Events Victoria with their assistance in holding this important event.

Download Official Training Day Program here.