Funding for stronger farm families

Minister for Community Services Larry Anthony today announced $162,000 in funding to help farm families in North West New South Wales and South West Victoria.

“The Stronger Farm Families project has been developed by North West Farmsafe (NSW) after lengthy consultation with its farming constituents in the Narrabri, Moree Plains, Yalloroi and Bingara shires.

“The University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, based in Moree, will administer the project and it will later be integrated into Farmsafe Australia’s management resources for farmers

“Funding will be used for much needed research into the needs of farm families. Strategies will be developed in consultation with farmers to help them manage the pressures of work and life on the farm.

“Farm families encounter hardships associated with being on the land. Weather extremes like flood and drought, the long hard hours that farm work demands and isolation from community services can all put significant pressure on rural families.

“This project will help give farm families the skills and knowledge to help them cope in those conditions and balance the demands of family life and life on the land.

“John Anderson has been a strong advocate for Farmsafe Australia and has worked hard to secure funding for this project.

“The Stronger Families and Community Strategy is a clear example of what can be achieved when Government and the community work together. We recognise that local people are best placed to come up with solutions to local problems.

“The Strategy focuses on early intervention and prevention and will help families tackle issues head on before they become a big problem.

“This will empower people and communities with new skills and strengths to move forward together,” Mr Anthony said.