Dairy farming communities across South West Victoria are facing one of the most prolonged and severe dry periods on record, with three failed autumn breaks and little to no pasture growth expected before August.
In response Gardiner Foundation has committed $300,000 in targeted drought support, to be delivered in partnership with Finwell Support who deliver the Rural Financial Counselling Service in Victoria’s west.
The funding, available from 16 June 2025 to 30 June 2026, will provide support in the form of:
- Fuel and grocery vouchers (up to $500 per household) to assist with essential costs
- Subsidised access to professional services (up to $5,000 per farm business) for legal, financial and business structural advice
- Wellbeing support and resilience sessions such as RFCS’s ‘Talk the Talk’ workshops for service providers and community events and activities in partnership with other regionally based organisations
Finwell Support CEO, David Stafford, said the support aims to make a tangible difference at a time when farming families, service providers and the community are under immense pressure.
“Through the RFCS program we are seeing and supporting dairy families having to navigate major financial decisions. This funding allows us to provide additional, meaningful support for those who need it most,” Mr Stafford said.
“Many service providers are feeling stretched and unsure how best to support farmers doing it tough. Talk the Talk is designed to help them feel more confident having conversations about mental health and wellbeing in a way that’s practical and supportive, as well as understand their own wellbeing needs”
The support was initiated in response to a request from the South West Dairy Industry Leadership Group (ILG), who are coordinating an industry-wide drought response and includes members from Agriculture Victoria, WestVic Dairy, United Dairy Farmers Victoria, Dairy Farmers Victoria and other key agencies such as processors, local government and RFCS Victoria West.
Gardiner Foundation CEO, Allan Cameron, said supporting the wellbeing and resilience of Victoria’s dairy communities remains central to Gardiner’s purpose.
“Gardiner recognises the importance of backing locally prepared drought responses led by those who best understand the realities on the ground,” Mr Cameron said.
“We understand that drought threatens the wellbeing of dairy farming families and the cohesion of dairying communities. This initiative delivers practical funding relief where it’s needed most, helping dairying families and their communities and those that support them to hold on and get through this tough time.”
More information about eligibility and how to access support is available via RFCS Victoria West: www.rfcsvictoriawest.com.au