Many of you will have seen in the media just how much people in Remote Australia are struggling. The country is experiencing the most severe weather conditions we’ve seen in a very long time. Even as an organisation that specialises in providing support and care for Remote Australians, the images and stories being shared have been incredibly confronting. These extreme weather events are going to forever change whole communities.

National Director, Jannine Jackson was “saddened” by the latest statistic released that online searches on mental health had grown by 64% in the last week alone. As the lights fade from the passing of Christmas, January usually becomes a time where we take stock of our lives and think about resolutions for the year to come. “I am aware of the effects Mental Health issues have on families and the communities in which we live”, “sometimes this can be a life long struggle, but for others it can just be a period of time.”

Wishing you a Merry Christmas! I’ve been so humbled listening to our Bush Chaplains in the lead up to Christmas and so I wanted to share two lovely things with you below. A short video from Bush Chaplain Pastor. Gary Ferguson of the Ceduna Remote Area, and a Christmas blessing from Bush Chaplain Rev. Peter Wait of the Tennant Barkly Remote Area. From all of us, may your Christmas be full of blessings, for you and your loved ones. Stay safe and I look forward to sharing stories with you in 2019…

We celebrate national media coverage with the launch of our new brand, we acknowledge with pride the growth in Bush Chaplaincy and our Outback Links Program, our collaboration with our corporate partners, and the positive impact we’re having in remote Australia.

“He didn’t know if he would ever see me again” – Just as her eldest son was leaving home for the first time to work interstate, Alison received devastating news. She had breast cancer. Can you imagine how hard it must have been to leave her family behind on the farm so she could have surgery and treatment? Your gift today will bring helping hands and hope to the bush, so farmers like Alison can get respite and be with family during difficult times.

As our Official National Mobility Partner, this year the NRMA sponsored two Outback Links trips that journeyed out to the small country town of Carinda, three hours north of Dubbo. As part of our partnership, the NRMA mechanics volunteered their time and skills to travel from Sydney to Carinda and lend a helping hand to those doing it tough out bush. These Outback Links trips also included some of our own dedicated volunteers and Frontier Services staff. Each trip saw the teams of mechanics and volunteers working on a range of properties, repairing their farm vehicles and equipment, delivering practical support, as well as building meaningful connections. While they worked on these eight farms, they stayed within the community at the Carinda Hotel, a local sweet spot, and hosted a Great Outback BBQ with those farmers involved in the trips.

The NRMA has teamed up with Frontier Services to provide mechanical services for drought affected farmers doing it tough around the small regional town of Carinda, New South Wales.

“It’s the worst drought I’ve ever experienced” – Robyn Russell has always been a country girl. This isn’t her first drought, but this time it’s really tough. You can make a real difference today and ensure year-round practical support is available to farmers like Robyn by donating to our drought appeal.

This year’s drought is considered the worst in over 70 years. Farmers across Australia have been attempting to keep their farms going. It’s dry out here, it’s relentless and can be heartbreaking seeing the devastation. This week our Bush Chaplain, Phill Matthew hit the road. Over four days of hard and dusty travel, Phill met with local families and identified their critical needs.