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For the hands behind the vines and wines.
Local Support Options
For those doing it tough!
It’s no secret that the wine industry is under real pressure at the moment, and many growers and winemakers are dealing with difficult business decisions alongside everyday responsibilities. We’ve put together a simple list of local support services that cover practical business and financial help, as well as wellbeing and mental health resources.
Our farming and wine communities are the backbone of the Riverland, and the contribution you make to local jobs, businesses, families and the wider region is enormous. If support is ever needed, it’s certainly well deserved!
There’s no expectation attached, just contacts and information you can access if and when it’s useful, for yourself or someone around you.
Rural Business Support
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
The RFCS, delivered locally through Rural Business Support, offers free, independent and confidential financial counselling for eligible farmers, growers and related rural businesses who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship. Their experienced counsellors can help you understand your current financial position, explore options for managing cash flow and debt, navigate discussions with lenders, access government or community programs, and work with you on practical plans for your business’s future. Where needed, they can also assist with referrals to other local supports, including emergency relief and Foodbank.
It’s a supportive service focused on helping you make clearer, informed decisions, with no cost to you.
FaB Business Mentors
Murraylands & Riverland
FaB (Family and Business) Mentors are a free, independent and confidential support service for primary producers and regional small-business owners facing challenging times. They offer a listening ear, help you navigate tough decisions, and can connect you with practical support, including financial counselling, local health or wellbeing services, community programs and government assistance that is tailored to your situation.
FaB Mentors aren’t there to tell you what to do, but to help you explore options and link in the right resources when needed.
Local FaB Mentor direct contacts:
• Robyn Cain: 0411 633 085
• Shelley Rose: 0422 420 323
• John Chase: 0419 848 672
• Brent Fletcher: 0439 409 430
Skylight Mental Health
Community Mental Health Coach (Cathy)
Cathy from Skylight offers a free, confidential and practical mental health support service for individuals, families and workplaces across our region.
Support can be one-on-one by phone or face-to-face, or onsite with teams, and focuses on listening, working through what’s going on, and connecting people with helpful local services and supports where needed.
It’s down-to-earth, flexible and aimed at making things feel more manageable, one step at a time.
For more information, contact Cathy on 0427 481 580
Farm Angels
Peer Support & Practical Assistance
Farm Angels is a free, confidential support service for people in agricultural and related industries who may be feeling under pressure or going through a difficult period.
Alongside peer-to-peer emotional support, they can also help connect people with practical assistance, including local services, community resources and hardship support where appropriate.
It’s a respectful, non-judgemental service delivered by people who understand rural life and business realities.
To connect with Farm Angels, call 1300 327 624
Weather it together
ifarmwell – Mental fitness for farming families
ifarmwell is a free online wellbeing program created for farming and regional communities, aimed at building mental fitness and coping skills during prolonged pressure or change. It covers topics like managing stress, sleep, workload, uncertainty and staying motivated, using short, practical modules that can be done anytime. It’s confidential, evidence-based and designed to fit around busy work and family life.
Weather It Together – Practical tools for tough seasons
Weather It Together is an online program designed specifically for people in agriculture, offering practical tools to manage stress, uncertainty and decision-making during difficult seasons. It includes short modules, real-life examples from farmers and growers, and simple strategies that can be used at your own pace. It’s private, free to access, and focused on building resilience in a realistic, no-nonsense way.
AC Care
Berri (Family & Community Support Services)
AC Care provides free, confidential support services for individuals, families and small businesses in the Riverland, including counselling, financial wellbeing support, emergency relief, family assistance and help navigating challenging personal or business circumstances. Their local team offers practical, respectful support and can assist with short-term help as well as connecting people to longer-term services if needed.
📞 Berri office: (08) 8582 4122
Foodbank
Berri (Emergency Food Support)
Foodbank provides confidential, short-term food assistance for individuals and families who may be doing it tough financially. Access is usually via a referral from a local support service, GP or community organisation, and is intended to help ease immediate pressure while other supports are put in place. It’s a simple, respectful service focused on helping people get through difficult periods.
Focus One Mental Health
Mental Health Plans & Emergency Support (local options)
Local GPs can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan, which provides access to Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist or other mental health professional.
For more immediate assessment and support, FocusOne Triage offers 24/7 mental health advice and referral services across SA, and Berri Hospital Emergency Department is available at any time for urgent situations.
Lifeline provides confidential crisis support 24/7.
In a life-threatening emergency, call 000 immediately.
📞 FocusOne Triage: 1800 003 307
📞 Lifeline: 13 11 14
📞 Emergency: 000
📍 Berri Hospital Emergency: open 24/7