WIMMERA people struggling with drought issues will be left without a vital program after the federal government refused ongoing funding this week.
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Wimmera Uniting Care’s Drought Assistance Program helps people in Horsham Rural City, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Buloke municipalities.
The program started in West Wimmera last year, and rolled out to other areas in January.
It offers information, support and counselling to people dealing with the drought and associated stress.
The Department of Social Services finances the program. However, Wimmera Uniting Care found out this week the department would not fund the initiative after June 30.
Agency chief executive Wendy Sturgess said the decision was extremely short-sighted.
“The rationale is that it was a one-off initiative for the drought, so the department doesn't believe they should continue it,” she said.
“I’ve said to them the need is really only hitting the community now.
“We are still in drought. Even if the drought had broken, we would still need a team of people there making sure the community was in good shape.
“It’s particularly disappointing because it takes time to set up a program and get the benefits of it, and now it's been shut down.”
Ms Sturgess said the agency asked for about $480,000 to continue the program until at least the end of the year.
She said the decision would not only hurt people seeking help, but the people employed as part of the drought assistance team.
“Our team has done an amazing job and put their heart and soul into this program,” she said.
“They have worked with farmers out in the paddock, people in shops, at community events and many other places.
“I truly know the work they've done has had a huge effect.
“I’ve had so many conversations with people who have said things like: ‘speaking to a drought counsellor or RARE worker gave me the confidence to seek help that I might not have sought before’.”
Ms Sturgess said the team was more passionate and caring about the people in the program than they were worried about their own jobs.
“I’m bitterly disappointed the department doesn’t see the value of this work in keeping people well and building resilience in our communities,” she said.
“I don’t know that people in Canberra understand the effects of things like suicide, which can result from people being pushed too far by a combination of factors.
“When you have a suicide in a community, the ripple effect is phenomenal.
“I’ve asked the department ‘where else can we go now?’, because we know the need for the program is still there.
“They said to go to the state government, so that will probably be our next step.”
Ms Sturgess said drought funding should not be in competition with other critical funding.
“We are absolutely 100 per cent behind money being spent on infrastructure and financial counselling, money that helps farmers stay in farming, and that keeps small businesses viable,” she said.
“We think the drought assistance funding would complement the money invested in those areas.
“We are getting a lot of data to support the fact that, if you keep farming communities in good shape, they can make best use of the government initiatives.
“And if people are in good shape mentally, they can make good financial decisions for their families.”