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Dairy: we are on your sideA community family fun day on Saturday, February 18 from 11am-1pm at Civic Park Drouin, Young St, Drouin aims to support dairy farmers. By Portal Admin - 14th February 2017 - Back to News The day features a sausage sizzle, take home milk, a visit from a cow and activities for the kids as well as entertainment from 11am by Colin Lane (Lano and Woodley).
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
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. More? Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources 136 186
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. Donations are being accepted on 0409 334 397
Camps, sports and excursion fund: The Victorian Government has announced further funding to support dairy farmers with school aged children in 2017. A $148 million initiative, the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) aims to insure Victorian students can participate in school trips and sporting activities.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com

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