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Dairy: we are on your sideDavid Corduff, a Beyond Blue ambassador, will discuss his personal experience on the importance of communication for good mental health at Leongatha to help deal with the effects of decreased confidence in the dairy industry. By Portal Admin - 7th November 2016 - Back to News Mental health support: David Corduff, a Beyond Blue ambassador, will discuss his personal experience on the importance of communication for good mental health on November 10 from 7:30-9pm at Leongatha Uniting Church of Australia 16 Peart St, Leongatha. This event is an initiative of the Leongatha Uniting Church of Australia to help deal with the effects of decreased confidence in the dairy industry. Rates of depression and suicide are higher in rural regions. Paul Bauer 0400 853 868 or pdbauer777@gmail.com
The Dairy Farmer Central website contains information on a number of dairy farmer support programs, including:
Dairy Australia's Tactic for Tight Times and Taking Stock programs, which provide specialist one-to-one farm business support.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service, which provides free financial counselling to farmers experiencing financial hardship.
The Look Over the Farm Gate program, which provides community wellbeing workshops and community events.
Mental Health First Aid Training, which provides support on mental health issues
Latrobe City Council is working with the State Government and local services to support the roll out of a range of measures to assist local dairy farmers, local businesses, farm workers and families. These could be in the form of a social event to get people together, or providing financial services or even food hampers. Farmers who have difficulty in paying rates are asked to contact Council’s rates team to discuss payment plan options. Latrobe City Council 1300 367 700
Baw Baw Shire Rates and the dairy crisis: Baw Baw residents impacted by the dairy crisis or experiencing financial hardship regarding your rates payment are advised to contact the council to discuss options. Baw Baw Council’s Revenue team 5624 2411 or www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/rates
The Victorian Government has announced a $1.5m package for South Gippsland to support affected farmers and the community through more counselling services and grants. The Department of Human Services also provides a Farm Household Assistance Package for eligible farmers.
There are a number of other services that individuals can access if they are unsure of who to go to including:
Lifeline 13 11 14
BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
The Leongatha Rural Financial Counselling Service provides financial counselling to farmers experiencing hardship. More? Anne Gilligan 5662 2566 or leongatha.rfc@bigpond.com or Marshall Scott 0407 898 735
ABS Australia is offering dairy farmers a deferred payment plan on their purchases to help ensure herd improvement programs are not put at risk while milk prices are low. More? ABS Australia website
Gippslanders have started a Facebook hay donation drive. Yarram-based organiser David Tilley said transport and loading/unloading assistance was also sought as the donated fodder would be delivered across the state. Donations are being accepted on 0409 334 397
Get help to give help: East Gippsland Primary Care Partnership are hosting a mental health first aid training course for service providers to develop skills in assisting those suffering mental health issues as a result of challenging circumstances. The course will run in Bairnsdale from 9am-4pm on November 18 and 25. Please RSVP. More? Brooke Carlesso 5153 0149
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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