Program builds spirit
I WRITE to offer a letter of a support to Wendy Sturgess, the chief executive of Wimmera Uniting Care and all of the team involved in securing further funding for the Wimmera Uniting Care drought assistance initiative, in particular the Rural and Remote Engagement program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As a bank teller in Horsham I am in frequent contact with farmers, small business owners, local men and women, youth and other individuals who are impacted by the consequences of drought.
A less profitable year can mean a decline in mental health and I am constantly identifying ‘at risk’ individuals.
This program allows me to offer help to these individuals by contacting a support worker to check in and conduct an informal meeting if necessary; and thereafter identify any service, action or financial assistance that may improve the individual’s quality of life when appropriate.
I find it considerably admirable that the program is able to recognise that sometimes it is the smallest of gestures that builds up spirit and aids in health and that other times it requires more intensive help; and that it can deliver on both.
It appears that one of the major difficulties that the program is encountering in applying for further funding is separating itself from existing services.
The most obvious point of difference is that the program is an informal outreach initiative, contacting and physically visiting prospective clientele; and lining them up with the services and assistance that they may require.
Without support workers creating a strong, supportive and positive presence and reaching out to the members of our communities, the services of rural financial counselling and other mental health services would inevitably drop in effectiveness.
These people work passionately around the clock ensuring that our communities know how and where to access help.
As I’m sure it’s needless to say, the pending cessation of funding of this program is unacceptable.
Given that there is no alternative service and that this program is unique, the action to discontinue it is completely negligent of the wellbeing of all citizens of our rural communities.
It is surely one of the most positive steps in the right direction we have seen, ensuring our rural communities remain engaged, connected and supported through hardship.
It is heavily disappointing to read that Member for Mallee Andrew Broad is “pissed off” with Wimmera Uniting Care for fighting for this service. I trust that our nominated electorate representative will fulfill their role honourably by representing the voices of our community.
The re-establishment of funding for this initiative to continue is vital for these passionate people to continue doing what they do, to support the backbone communities of our country.
CASSANDRA VELINOS
Customer Service Officer, Bendigo Bank – Horsham
Utter rubbish
MR Ramsay’s claims of budget cuts (Mail-Times, May 18) are total and utter rubbish.
The budget papers very clearly state we have increased recurrent spending on agriculture by 2.9 per cent.
That doesn’t include an extra $8.7-million new capital funding.
Or the extra $200-million funding included in our mid-year budget update for the Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund.
If Mr Ramsay had bothered to turn a page in the budget papers or check the mid-year update he may easily have found this information, but why let facts get in the way of a beat up?
Let’s not forget the Coalition’s record on regional services that expenditure by the former Department of Primary Industries in 2009-10 was $555.6-million.
The Coalition’s first budget shamelessly slashed that to $505.3-million. The 2016-17 budget represents the biggest infrastructure spend in history for regional Victoria.
To quote the Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey, a position Mr Ramsay once held “this is one of the best budgets I’ve seen for agriculture”.
And for our dairy farmers, at a time when the agricultural industry, government and opposition should be working together, it seems he would rather sling mud than co-operate.
JAALA PULFORD
Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development
Enrol to vote
MONDAY is the last day for eligible Australians to make sure they are correctly enrolled for the 2016 federal election.
All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over are required by law to enrol and vote.
People have until 8pm Monday, May 23 to enrol or update their enrolment details online at aec.gov.au
More than 94 per cent of eligible Australians are enrolled, but that leaves approximately 950,000 eligible Australians who are not.
Australians that are already enrolled, but who have moved since the 2013 federal election, should also update their enrolment details online by the Monday deadline.
To check your enrolment details go to aec.gov.au/check or call 132 326.
TOM ROGERS
Electoral Commissioner
- Letters commenting on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment is accepted by editor Luke Horton. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations and include their phone number for verification. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.