Agriculture and Wellness Support Provider Network
A network of agriculture & community groups sharing information with government agencies
Collaborations - LP020-001
The issue
In 2019 the Deniliquin Drought Support Officer and the District Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Manager saw a need for government agencies, agriculture and community groups to come together as a group.
They noted that there has been a large amount of funding around to assist the community, but time and resource restrictions could make collaboration difficult, leading to crossover of events and initiatives.
Having participated in a similar group during the millennium drought, the RGA ECP contacted the drought support officer suggesting an extended invitation list. This suggestion lead to the inclusion of the RGA, Murray Irrigation Ltd and Landcare Producer group in the group.
The solution
The initial aim of meeting together was to hold an informal meeting to ensure people were aware of who is working across the community towards similar and/or related outcomes to assist with better coordination of projects and initiatives in the future.
At the end of 2019 the council contract to employ a drought support officer ended and a call was put out to participants to either nominate or volunteer a group to coordinate the organisation of the group. With the continuation of the drought and the ongoing stresses on the community the RGA ECP saw an urgent need for the group to continue. This led to the RGA ECP volunteering to coordinate and chair the group. After 2 meetings group members unanimously supported the continuation of the group and for the RGA hosted Local Landcare Coordinator to continue coordinating the group.
The impact
Quarterly Agriculture and Wellness Provider Meetings have been held to discuss drought response, collaboration and events. The outcome of the meetings has been an increased knowledge network of people working locally for similar stakeholders and outcomes, to draw upon and contact in future. These meetings have led to less overlap and increased coordination in delivery of initiatives in 2020.
The meeting focus has evolved into an ongoing focus on business support - viability and general mental health and wellbeing of the agricultural community.
Key facts
- 40 representatives from over 20 regional organisations have connected with the network
- Strong partnerships developed between government, community and corporate organisations