Making critical decisions in consultation with other family members

Act early in regard to stock number reduction

The top 4:

• Get advice on stock feeding and when to sell stock
• Have a  timeline for decision making and stick to it
• Remember your children are often involved in farm activities - include them
• If seeking agistment get it early

We found the following useful:

• Department of Primary Industries - Call 136 186 and press 0 to speak to an operator [Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm]
• Department of Primary Industries - Drought Information for Victoria
• Lessons from the NSW Drought
• Australian Government Drought Assistance
• Bureau of Meteorology Drought Statement

Your health is the most important asset to you, your family, your farm

Farmers are at risk of poor health, suicide and farm accidents.  Don’t let this be you or someone you know

The top 5:

• Do something for your health everyday: get off the farm/go for a walk/listen or play music/ring a friend/read a book
• Exercise - a little, often goes a long way
• Include other people in your day
• Don’t ’bunker-in’, get off the farm for a day
• Seek health assistance

We found the following useful:

• 24 hrs Mensline - Call 1300 78 99 78
• 24 hrs Lifeline - Call 13 11 14
• 24 hrs Kids Helpline - Call 1800 55 1800
• Parentline - Call 132 289 [For parents with children 0-18years][Mon - Fri 8am - 12midnight - Weekends 10am - 10pm]
• Beyond Blue - Call 1300 22 4636 [Information and referral only]
• Department of Human Services - Drought Assistance

Of crucial importance is to:

Your Check List:

The top 4:

• Discuss options with your family
• Don’t bury the bills
• Check what help is available – eg. entitlements with Centrelink; bank renegotiation
• Seek financial counselling

We found the following useful:

• Centrelink Drought Assistance - Ph: 132316
• Rural Financial Counsellors Contact List. Ph: 1800 686 175. They can help with planning your way through 
• Australian Bankers Association - Drought Fact Sheet
• Salvation Army: drought relief assistance with household/farm bills

General Drought Information

• From August 29, people affected by drought will have online access to the Drought Law Forum. For more information see Flyer and Media Release or click here to access Rural Law Online
• DHS: Drought Fact Sheets
• Wisdom From the Drought, The University of Newcastle (450kb, pdf)
• Lifeline's Toolkit for getting through the Drought (PDF)
• Steps to Financial Recovery (64kb)
  Animal Welfare / Veterinary Issues (2193kb)

Rural Services Forum - 6 November, 2006

Over 110 people attended the Rural Services Forum with over 46 different agencies and organisations attending. Forum Agenda
DPI Drought Response Presentation
AVA Animal Welfare Presentation
Drought Social Impacts Presentation
Drought Health Impacts Presentation
ALPA - Warren Clark Forum Notes