Historical projects

Ten week program for Sikh and Punjabi men providing assistance to improve their financial position. Topics included support in making informed decisions, improving self-esteem and motivation as well as support with a life plan direction.

A series of workshops for SA’s farming community following the results of the RBS commissioned report (produced by Rural Directions) “Characteristics of Profitable South Australian Farming Businesses from 2006-2010”. The workshops explored the challenges facing farmers now and into the future, and the business management skills required in the sector to meet those challenges head on. The workshops also explored how farmers learn and the preferred delivery mechanisms, as well as the hook to get farmers into learning. The workshops also discussed issues such as ‘who pays’ and ‘who delivers’.

A promotional campaign on Succession Planning for the Rural Financial Counselling Service was developed through funding from the Australian Government. Promotional material, a tool kit and an extensive communications program including workshops, print and TV advertising was developed resulting in succession planning assistance hours increasing 485% over a one year period

The Farm Management Tools Project utilised state government funding to contract a consultant to research the agribusiness sector for best practice farm management tools for use by Rural Financial Counsellors. The successful consultants were required to gain an understanding of current service practices, existing client needs and identify a range of business tools available in the agribusiness field to assist clients in betting understanding their business position and reaching objectives. Mike Krause from Applied Economic Solutions developed the Plan to Profit software which assists clients with a five year scenario of business options.

In addition to heightened staffing levels for rural financial counselling from 2006 to 2010, rural financial counsellors facilitated Drought Information Sessions and Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy Application Centres across all areas of the state.

Rural Financial Counselling assistance was provided to farm businesses within the branched broomrape exclusion zone, assisting them to deal with additional imposts as a result of the eradication program.

A $100,000 project to facilitate workshops throughout SA included RBS managing a tender process to select and appoint professional presenters to deliver workshops in all regions of the state. A total of 23 workshops were held, on a variety of topics including cost of production, strategic and succession planning.

On behalf of the Government of South Australia RBS managed a research project on the common characteristics of 33 farming business, from different regions and industries, who remained profitable over the 2006-2010 period of drought.  Funding was then utilised to facilitate the NRAC tour of the Riverland and Lower Murray on behalf of the state government, and to publish a document of case studies of farmers who exited industry during the drought.

Case management of individuals affected by the Sampson Flat Bushfire, assessment and evaluation of business, development of business recovery plan including redevelopment and operational improvements, business diversification and access to new markets, documentation of plan and file note maintenance as well as a monthly reporting to Department of State Development and Sampson Flat Business Bushfire Recovery Committee.

RBS employed a business support specialist to provide an enhanced level of assistance to wine grape growing clients in SA which included a scoping study to develop a strategic approach to industry wide adjustment. An outcome of the project was a proposal for a pilot project in a cool climate wine growing region for a planned approach to structural adjustment.

As a result of reduced catches, increasing input costs, concerns regarding marine park declarations and the strong Australian Dollar, it was recognised that a significant number of fishers may become eligible for Rural Financial Counselling assistance. In 2010/11, the Service employed a business support specialist to work with the fishing industry to scope the likely need for additional assistance and promote outcomes for the industry.

Following contact with the Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) and Primary Industries and Resources (NT Government) it was determined to employ a consultant to survey and scope the NT fish industry to determine the need (if any) for additional rural financial counselling assistance. The study revealed a number of fisheries which were declining in value and heightened concern of industry participants surrounding the impending marine park declarations.

Content development and program delivery to farming families in relation to business planning as well as mentoring and referral to other business service providers.

Content development and program delivery to farming families in relation to financial management and planning as well as governance.