Aussie farmers have faced a year of: rising input, transport and handling costs; supply chain interruptions; floods, floods and more floods and unprecedented pressure to keep retail prices down in the face of spiralling inflation.  In short it has been a tough year.  UCB partnered with Rural Aid’s Mates Day this week to fundraise for our mates in the bush.

November 23 is Rural Aids Mates Day, raising much needed funds for farmers who have faced crisis after crisis.  Rural Aid CEO, John Warlters said “Australian farmers continue to battle with natural disasters, including last months deluge in Eastern Australia which flooded 43 towns in New South Wales, 24 in Victoria and 3 in Tasmania, while in contrast parts of Queensland are drought declared and much of South Australia is facing the driest months on record”.

“Rural Aid stands with our farmers when they need us most, providing water and fodder deliveries; financial, volunteer and counselling support, and developing programs to build sustainability in rural communities” continued Mr Warlters.

Rural Aid Health and Wellbeing Manager Lauren Stracey highlighted that the need for counselling services had grown so large that the Rural Aid Counselling Team has gone from three people to 15 in the last year alone.

In speaking of the counselling service Ms Stracey noted “Rural Aid counsellors live in the areas they service, understand the nuances of farming life, and usually visit farmers on their properties to deliver mental health support in ways that overcome barriers.  This vital service allows our primary producers to prioritise their mental health by brining the support to them in the place they feel most comfortable”.

UCB Stores, Australia’s largest specialised petrol and convenience buying and retail development group for independent retails, partnered with Rural Aid in 2022 as a Matching Partner.

“It has been a challenging year with disasters impacting many of our farmers.  Costs are rising, supplies are running short, and we’ve all seen the bare shelves at the supermarket.  Aussie Farmers have battled hell and high water to keep going and put food on our tables, so now its time for all of us to show we are ready to stand with them when things get tough!” noted UCB.

As a matching partner UCB matched every dollar donated (up to a total of $15,000 from UCB) .

This years event raised almost $1m dollars to support ‘our mates in the bush’ on Mates Day, but donations are still being accepted at https://matesday.ruralaid.org.au/ucb .  You can choose to donate: $50 which can buy feed for livestock,; or $150 to provide counselling for a farmer in need; $300 can provide clean drinking water; or you can select other to donate the amount of your choosing, simply select an amount (or other) then follow the prompts to donate.  Donations can be made anonymously.

 

“Rural Aid is a trusted charity that has been providing support and assistance to farmers for many years and UCB Stores is stepping up for the industry to show support.  I encourage retailers and suppliers, large and small, to jump on and donate what they can now” noted ACAPMAs Elisha Radwanowski.

More Information

 

Elisha Radwanowski BCom(HRM&IR)
ACAPMA

 

 

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