Queensland farmers and agricultural service providers are encouraged to attend free industry support network workshops in Ayr, Bowen, Townsville and Ingham this month.
Facilitated by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), the Australian Red Cross, and the Australian and Queensland Governments, the workshops are a foundation of an industry support network and aim to equip participants with the skills and resources they need to help carry the burden and mentor fellow farmers during recovery from a disaster.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said natural disasters were part and parcel of farming in Queensland, with farmers’ resilience tested by droughts, floods, cyclones, bushfires and everything in between.
“Farmers and rural communities are no strangers to these significant and continuing challenges, and no one knows and understands the burden of recovering and rebuilding better than a fellow farmer,” Dr Davis said.
“QFF is calling on interested farmers who are knowledgeable about farm practices and business processes, to take on a supporter role to galvanise those who have experienced loss or disruption as a result of a disaster and who need a helping hand as they recover.”
“The upcoming workshops will provide interested farmer supporters with the resources and valuable skills they need to help their fellow farmers during difficult times based on the Australian Red Cross’ highly regarded, ‘Supporting the Supporters’ program.”
“These workshops are for anyone who supports their communities formally or informally. Red Cross understands that community support is most effective when led by those best placed; community members, services and organisations,” Queensland Drought Coordinator, Emergency Services David Brown said.
To register your attendance or to find out more, visit www.qff.org.au/events.
