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Welcome to first edition for 2022.  We hope it has been a successful and safe start to the year despite the ongoing impact of COVID and difficulties meeting service demands amongst constant changes and hurdles.   

We are excited to announce the extension of our regional business recovery program (Commonwealth funding announcement), supporting local businesses build financial resilience and ensure access to specialist financial counselling, planning and advisory services.  

If you need to explore opportunities and adapt your business plans or financial situation to these current market conditions - we are here to help.  Please call 1300 045 747 to book an appointment.

We have kept this news edition full of grants and programs that we hope will be of interest to you.  Stay safe & well - and we always welcome your feedback

Kylie Holmes  Executive Officer, RFCS Gippsland 

JOBS & TRAINING
 
RURAL BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER
We are seeking a team member with strong financial experience & understanding of risks & challenges experienced by Farmers, particularly within the South Gippsland & surrounding regions. 

Applicants must have significant financial &/or agribusiness experience, min. 5 years experience in a financial; business management or counselling role, the ability to work remotely and travel across Gippsland; and have or willing to complete a qualification in Rural Financial Counselling.

Application date has been extended: previous applicants remain in consideration & need not reapply Apply here
BECOME QUALIFIED FOR YOUR SKILLS

Farmers and your family members can receive assistance to gain formal qualifications for your farm and business skills, as well as gain additional training opportunities to enhance the skills you need.
Free for farmers in East Gippsland.  Find out more or call 1300 045 747
 

HEALTH & WELLBEING
 
HEALTH CLINIC DIRECT TO DOOR

Podcast, AgVic Talk discusses a pilot health program being offered by East Gippsland Bush Nursing are ensuring our local farmers keep up their health checks with their clinics coming directly to farmers' door.

Listen to Sue Carroll from Swift’s Creek Bush Nursing Centre
 
WELLBEING SUPPORT...
AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOU ARE

If you are feeling overwhelmed, we are here to provide the financial & personal wellbeing support you need.
Reach out & start feeling better today.
Find out more or call 1300 045 747

GRANTS & PROGRAMS
 

$25,000 JUNE STORM & FLOOD CLEAN UP

Exceptional Circumstances Recovery grants of up to $25,000 Reimbursing primary producers for clean-up and recovery activities as a direct result of the Severe Weather event of 9–11 June 2021.

Grants can include debris removal, specialist erosion support or cost of repairs or replacement of damaged farm infrastructure.

Apply here

$20k - $500k GRANTS TO BUILD TOURISM EXPERIENCES

if you have an idea to develop a new world-class tourism experience, the Enabling Tourism Fund is now open for application to kick-start the project development and market-testing phase. 

Grants up to $500,000 per project, with a minimum funding amount of $20,000 per project.  

Applications close 4 March.  Find out more

GET PAID TO TRIAL STAFF

Trial a young person for 4 > 12 weeks in an internship to see if they are the right fit, including for apprenticeship or traineeship opportunities.
Receive $1,000 to help with the costs of the trial and if you decide to hire them, you may be eligible to receive additional financial incentives.  Find out more

ENERGY GRANTS CLOSING SOON

$25,000 GRANT ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Closing 18 February or earlier if funding exhausted

Energy Efficient Food and Beverage Manufacturing Grants provides small/medium businesses up to $25,000 to improve energy efficiency practices & technologies to better manage consumption and power bills.

Apply here
$3,500 REBATE SOLAR INSTALL

Only 1,660 rebates left (as at 1 February)

Solar for Business rebate program covers up to 50% of the cost of rooftop solar to a maximum rebate of $3,500 to reduce the upfront cost of installing solar on their business premises.  Find out more
Once these offers are gone, rebate is reduced to maximum $1,750

PERSONALISED SUPPORT FOR SELF-EMPLOYED

Self-Employed now have your own business concierge service as your one-stop shop to guide you through Victorian Government programs & services that may be able to help your business.

Call 13 22 15 & select Microbusiness Concierge Service to speak directly to a customer service agent, or
Book a 30-minute phone appointment here

START YOUR AG CAREER

AgCAREERSTART is a structured program that introduces young Australians to a career in agriculture.  Over 12 months, you will be matched with an on-farm job, given training & development, & gain access to industry events & more

The first on-farm placements start  March 2022
Find out more & apply here

INVESTING IN GRAIN GROWERS

Graininnovate Fund is investing in startups developing new business models or tools applicable to Australia's grain growers.
$25,000 > $100,00 Seed funding for startups or $100,000 > $500,000 Angel funding for previous recipients of seed funding

Find out more

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REBATE

$25,000 rebate  
On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate offers 25% rebate up to $25k to purchase, deliver &/or professionally install water infrastructure for grazing livestock & permanent horticultural plantings that make your farm business more resilient to drought in East Gippsland & Wellington Shires. Find out more

CALLING SOUTH GIPPSLAND BUSINESSES

STALL HOLDER OPPORTUNITY

South Gippsland Shire Council is offering registered businesses to host a stall at the upcoming 'A Day on the Course' event at the Stony Creek Racecourse, near Meeniyan Saturday 19 February. 
  • No cost for selected stallholders to attend

For more information contact Sophie Dixon 5662 9200

Express your interest here 

MAKE THE MOST OF DIGITAL TOOLS IN BUSINESS

Small businesses can make the most of digital tools & receive advice specific to your business needs. Digital Solutions is $44 = 7 hour service package including 3 hours of one-on-one tailored support as well as group workshops or webinars covering topics:

- how digital tools can help your small business
- websites & selling online
- social media & digital marketing
- using small business software
- online security & data privacy
Find out more
RURAL WOMEN NETWORKING 
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to share and develop knowledge and skills with other like-minded rural women, supported by expert facilitators through the Victorian Rural Women’s Network Mentoring program

Expressions of Interest close Monday 7 February

Find out more & Apply  or contact Lara McPherson, Senior Policy Officer Rural Women via email


GETTING TO KNOW US
 
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

Jamie Robinson is a generational Gippslandian who stared his working life as a local shearer before transitioning into business, and brings to RFCS clients experience in SME & Online business operations and finance management.

If you would like to chat to Jamie about options to improve your business situation, he will be travelling across Gippsland with the Small Business Bus in early 2022.  See our events below and book a session for upcoming locations, or call 1300 045 747

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
BUSINESS BUS COMING TO YOU

14 to 17 February

Small Business Bus is traveling with RFCS Gippsland to help navigate the challenges of financial stress, economic downturn or disaster in your small business.
Book a free 45 minute session to understand how the RFCS program can help improve your personal and financial future. Click on the dates for February:

16th CANN RIVER 
17th LAKES ENTRANCE  
More events coming in March and April visit our event page for more locations and dates
DROUGHT COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENT

Friday 14 to 18 February

National Recovery & Resilience Agency along with your local support services are coming together to share important information about the drought support package and how farmers and regional communities can access it. Rotary Australia will also be offering $500 debit cards to assist those farm households suffering financial hardship because of the drought. 

No booking required. Pop in anytime between

18th.  OMEO   8.30am - 12.30pm
16th.  NOWA NOWA  10.00am - 2.00pm
17th. BUCHAN   10.00am - 2.00pm
18th. MALLACOOTA    8.30am - 12.30pm
ABARES OUTLOOK 2022 CONFERENCE

1 - 4 March 2022
Free Virtual Event

The Outlook 2022 program includes three, one-hour sessions each day over four days, covering significant trends and issues for the agriculture sector

Register here

HOW RFCS HELP

Curious about how RFCS can help farmers?  

Click to hear
real stories from real clients...
Make an appointment today
Copyright © 2020 RFCS Gippsland All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is support@rfcsgippsland.org.au

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Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria - Gippsland · 1 Peart St · Leongatha, Vic 3953 · Australia

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