Gardiner Foundation offers one-off drought support in southwest Victoria

New farm and household financial support is being offered to southwest Victorian farmers. Here’s the latest.

Targeted drought support for dairy household and farm expenses has been opened up by Victorian philanthropic organisation the Gardiner Foundation, with a $300,000 commitment to the state’s southwest.

Opening this week, fuel and grocery vouchers up to $500 per farm household as well as subsidised access to professional services up to $5000 per farm, such as accountants and solicitors, will be made available to farmers in the drought zone.

Gardiner Foundation chief executive Allan Cameron said the support would be distributed in partnership with Finwell Support, which delivers the Rural Financial Counselling Service in southwest Victoria.

Mr Cameron told The Weekly Times that wellbeing support for community events would also be covered as part of the $300,000 package.

“It was the local dairy farmer leadership that said being able to offer up to $500 per dairy household and up to $500 per dairy household for groceries would be beneficial for farming families facing acute financial stress,” he said.

“We’ll leave it up to Finwell Support— the Rural Financial Counselling Service in Victoria’s west — they’ll be able to determine how that’s distributed on a case-by-case basis.”

Drought-hit pastures between Colac and Camperdown earlier this month. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mr Cameron said the professional services grant of up to $5000 covered a range of services, with the RFCS and Finwell Support directing where the funds would be best used.

“We’re also providing accounting services, financial planning, legal or farm consultancy advice,” he said.

“We recognise that dairy farmers are going through an acutely stressful time, but so too are the service providers. So providing the funds to Rural Financial Counselling Service to help run the Talk for Talk workshops, they’re designed to support the dairy industry support workers as well.”

Finwell Support chief executive David Stafford said the package was aimed at making a tangible difference in the southwest Victorian drought zone.

More information about eligibility and how to access support is available at: www.rfcsvictoriawest.com.au

Meanwhile, a drought relief concert will be held in Colac this Sunday. The June 18 event will be held at the Colac Showgrounds from 11am to 3pm, featuring local entertainers, with the support of the South West Community Foundation.