ccrcs

"Providing a free and confidential service to farmers in the Corangamite Catchment"

A rural counsellor can:

Help farm families assess and understand their financial position

Assist in identifying options and develop a plan of action

Make people aware of any possible eligibility for assistance under the Agriculture - Advancing Australia package or Rural Finance Corporation packages or Youth Allowance (previously Austudy) payments and Centrelink benefits

We can provide support and information in the following areas

Financial

Assist with loan and/or refinance applications
Help prepare budgets and cash flows
Provide support and mediation, negotiation with creditors and financial institutions

Centrelink Benefits link to Centrelink

Age, Disability and Carers pensions

Help you to access all Centrelink entitlements

Access to forms and assistance to fill in forms to claim benefits

Advocacy role

Agriculture - Advancing Australia full details

Grants for training and farm management skills enhancement programs and training activities further details
Farm Family Restart Scheme further details
Re-Establishment Grants further details
Retiring Farmer Assistance further details
Exceptional Circumstances eligibility further details

Estate Planning

Decision making and communication between family members

Issues of passing over control

Dealing with professionals with implementing plans

Personal and Family Issues

Providing an independent and non-judgmental ear

Available to help people sort through their problems

Referrals to relevant agencies and professionals

Corangamite Catchment Rural Counselling Service Inc is a confidential and free service providing information and support for the farming community in the Corangamite Catchment Region.

Guaranteed Confidentiality

Corangamite Catchment Rural Counselling Service Inc is a confidential service. All matters discussed with the service are confidential and nothing would be disclosed to outside agencies, or individuals without your permission.

The service is free, and independent of financial institutions, welfare agencies or government.

The Rural Counselling Service

The service is managed by the Corangamite Catchment Rural Counselling Service Inc, a community based advisory group representing individuals and organisations throughout the Corangamite Catchment with an interest in maintaining a strong rural and farming community.

The Department of Primary Industries and Energy provides an annual grant to the Service to meet 50% of the costs of operating the service. The Victorian Government also provides a grant with Department of Natural Resources and Environment also providing substantial resources and technical assistance. The Service obtains the balance of its funding from municipalities, businesses, farmer organisations, banks and community organisations within the region. For further information about rural counselling or details of other rural counsellors Click Here

How to contact us

Your local rural counsellor is:

Susan Dupe

320 Centre Road

Wensleydale Vic 3241

03 5288 7227

email: srd@ne.com.au

The rural counsellor can be contacted at most times, but if unavailable please make use of the answering machine. A simple request to call you on a particular number is all that is required. We will do the rest.

The rural counsellor can visit at your home, or a meeting can be arranged in a town near you, if you prefer. And it does not stop with one meeting - rural counsellors provide ongoing services that can adjust to changing circumstances.

This page was created by Bruce J. Dupe for the Corangamite Catchment Rural Counselling Service Inc.
Last revised October 1999.