AN emotional Grace McLean is “over the moon” today.
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And, she’s “super proud” a cluster of eight Hunter-based organisations have joined forces to provide more than $100,000 in funding to assist the region’s farming community as it battles with the ongoing drought.
The group, known as the Hunter Corporate Collaborative (HCC), will work in partnership to offer support and services to those most affected by the current dry conditions in the Upper Hunter LGAs of Singleton and Muswellbrook through two key initiatives, via Upper Hunter Community Services (UHCS) and the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre (SNC).
Ms McLean, CEO and founder of NFP Connect, the organisation behind the HCC initiative, unveiled their commitment – totalling $112,500 – at a special morning tea at Muswellbrook on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, 51 per cent of NSW is in drought,” she said, choking back tears.
“We’ve all heard the stories of how tough it’s been for our farmers and their families.
“So, I’m delighted to see key members of the Hunter’s corporate community come together to assist those across the region struggling with such devastating conditions.
“The projects, funded through the HCC, are both extremely worthwhile in their approaches to support drought-affected individuals and others on both a holistic and practical level.
“The programs are focused on connecting families facing similar experiences.
“This will assist individuals get the help they need presently, but also help link them with local services and support organisations that can provide sustained support until conditions on the land start to improve.”
Organisations involved in the HCC include Beyond Bank Australia Foundation, Glencore Coal Assets Australia Pty Ltd, Greater Charitable Foundation, Hunter Water, nib foundation, NFP Connect, Port Waratah Coal Services and Sparke Helmore Lawyers.
UHCS general manager Sue Milton explained the plight of farming families across the region and the importance of the HCC funding in giving life to programs focused on welfare.
“We have seen an increase in demand for mental health and wellbeing support channels in our dealings with farming families over the past 12 months,” she said.
“Not only is this need increasing, but the flow-on effect will be felt long after the drought ends.
“The UHCS counselling and laundry facilities will use the funding to implement a free support service for individuals and families of the Upper Hunter.
“In addition, we’ll provide a place for impacted families and individuals to attend to their laundry needs in a setting that provides an opportunity to interact with other community members and UHCS staff.
“We are so pleased to see the community spirit of organisations that form the Hunter Corporate Collaborative coming to the fore to support people on the land who are doing it tough.”
SNC manager Judy Mitchell also praised the concept.
“We’ll provide support to farming families, endeavouring to develop diversified off-farm income to supplement their farming activities,” she explained.
“The aim is to provide a series of workshops focused on training in basic business and marketing operations so that participants gain the knowledge and practical skills to successfully diversify their income.
“We were investigating other ways to help farmers, so we’re excited to be involved with the HCC.”
To find out more about the initiatives, and how to access the programs, visit uhcs.org.au and singletonneighbourhoodcentre.org.au