THE Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) has operated nationwide for over 35 years, providing free and independent business support to primary producers, and now also regional small business owners who are navigating the challenges of including staying viable through drought, bushfire or COVID-19.
RFCS Victoria West is the Swan Hill region’s local provider – a new name for anyone familiar with the service, under a program restructure in July this year.
The service’s team of highly qualified and experienced rural financial counsellors are local, based in the regions they work in, and understand local conditions and communities.
Many of them are farmers or small business owners themselves.
Rural and small business financial counsellors can help you gain a better understanding of your financial position; identify and explore your options; access grants and government support, negotiate with banks, creditors, the tax office or insurance providers, and plan for the next months and the future.
Lauren Fowler is a rural financial counsellor in the Swan Hill area, now in her third year of servicing the local region.
Ms Fowler said the team was able to provide an uninterrupted continuation of service to clients throughout the transition to the larger Victoria west service area, which saw eight north west region staff members join the former western region.
This was especially important after a year of rural events not going ahead and, more recently, appointments taking place over phone or video calls, instead of in person on-farm or in the office.
“We do want to reassure primary producers that farm visits are still an important part of the rural financial counselling process,” Ms Fowler said.
“We continue to offer the same level of service the Swan Hill area has always enjoyed as RFCS Victoria West, with a new service for our region being the option of wellbeing counselling, to ensure anyone working with a financial counsellor is fully supported.
“We are only a phone call away if drought or COVID or anything else is causing financial stress or uncertainty, and we can help in a number of ways.
“It costs nothing to have a chat, and appointments with our counsellors are always free.
“We have a whole range of ways we can help a primary producer or small business, including referrals to legal specialists or support with FHA applications, RIC Loans or Farm Debt Mediation.”
Ms Fowler is joined by small business financial counsellor Kerrie O’Brien, who will be a familiar face for many local small businesses, having worked with the RFCS for close to two years herself.
Ms O’Brien noted that the Swan Hill locals are backed up by a team of rural and financial counsellors in nearby regions.
“Small business owners can make an appointment for a chat by calling our 1300 number during business hours,” Ms O’Brien said.
“Appointments are always free and support is ongoing for as long as required.”
Farmers and farming families, and small business owners, can make an appointment to talk to a rural or small business specialist on-farm, at business premises or another convenient location.
Call 1300 735 578 or visit www.RFCSVictoriaWest.com.au.
