committed to supporting rural enterprises across South Eastern Victoria, ensuring economically and socially prosperous rural communities.
ANNUAL
REPORT
2023
In the spirit of reconciliation RFCS Gippsland acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"They negotiated the paper work for an interest free RIC loan which has improved
our cash flow and allowed development work to be done.".
RFCS Gippsland is an incorporated not-for-profit charitable organisation with registered deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. We are funded by Commonwealth and State to deliver the Rural Financial Counselling program, which is our core program.
The RFC Program is administered by:
– National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
reporting to the Federal Department of Agriculture Water and Environment (DAWE); and
– State Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
from 1 January 2023, previously the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).
a well-crafted
financial plan
can turn dreams into reality
A most important service. This should be encouraged to more farmers. A small amount of help when problems first show up avert a much larger problem later on. To be able to get the right information at the right time is a great help. I want to use the service again.
more than
just a
counselling service
WRAP-AROUND
SERVICES & SUPPORT
SERVICES & SUPPORT
Representing a complete circle of support, during 2022-2023 we achieved delivery of complete wrap-around support services for
FINANCIAL · PERSONAL · PROFESSIONAL WELLBEING
FOR ALL RURAL INDUSTRIES
IN HARDSHIP · AND · AT RISK
we are
all about
quality service
"Without RFCS interest in my land and stock, I would not be where I am now. To RFCS I think my farm has been a successful case."
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
CHAIR’S MESSAGE
In the 2022-2023 financial year, RFCS Gippsland maintains its mission to support our diverse communities across Gippsland. We appreciate the trust and support from Commonwealth and State Governments to deliver the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Our current funding deed offers increased support for rural businesses and broadens eligibility and allows us to continue our commitment to provide comprehensive service support for farmers and rural related businesses.
The Gippsland Regional Drought Resilience Plan (GRDRP) developed in collaboration with key industry and support agencies, is approved and moving forward. Negotiations with Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) as the lead agent are underway to ensure RFCS Gippsland is involved in the region-wide implementation of the GRDRP.
We're excited to introduce ADAPT (A Detect And Protect Training), an online wellness program funded by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). ADAPT aligns with mental health recommendations and is available for small organisations seeking custom well-being programs.
Our Backbone magazine's success drives forward, and our team's unwavering commitment to community engagement remains core to our mission.
Thank you for your continued support as we dedicate another year to Gippsland's rural community prosperity.
ABOUT US
HOW WE WORK WITH CLIENTS
navigate out of financial stress
Analyse Financial Position
Identify Viable Options
Develop plans to improve cash flow
Implement Changes & Improvements
Reduce Financial Risks
Access Industry Support & Programs
Help Achieve Long-Term Goals & Quality of Life
Identify Viable Options
Develop plans to improve cash flow
Implement Changes & Improvements
Reduce Financial Risks
Access Industry Support & Programs
Help Achieve Long-Term Goals & Quality of Life
Rural Financial Counsellors and experienced Small Business Support Officers change lives of rural and regional business operators with independent personalised financial assistance – tailored to individual needs
We support all aspects of client and business wellbeing, each impacting the other, as well as the wider community and economy.
We have seen an improvement in client wellbeing as a result of our Detect & Protect (ADAPT) framework, focusing on early intervention and referral pathways to appropriate emotional and professional support
WHY IT MATTERS?
Wellbeing services support
Healthy & Thriving communities
know
BE VALUED BY OUR CLIENTS, STAKEHOLDERS & COMMUNITY
15 KPIs monitored by the Board : on track to deliver our strategic objectives in 2024
No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found
EO MESSAGE
I would like to acknowledge our great team at RFCS Gippsland. Throughout the past financial year our focus on delivering high quality service to our clients has been unwavering. We have implemented improvements to our processes and systems and the team has come together and embraced that change. Your commitment and passion invested in supporting rural businesses and farming communities have made a positive impact on countless lives. Your contributions have improved the overall well-being of our rural communities, fostered economic stability, and created pathways for your client’s success. Our client testimonials are proof of that great work.
Despite the challenges, the 2022/2023 financial year marked a return to normalcy, with fewer disruptions from major weather events, improved commodity prices, and less impacts from COVID on our operation. This allowed our team to focus on networking and engaging with our communities. The feedback we receive from this is so positive and inspirational. I am so proud to be part of RFCS Gippsland supporting our mission of empowering primary producers and small rural businesses to plan for a secure future , and having a great team means we can achieve our goal of being the preferred rural business support provider, delivering best practice, innovative and sustainable business planning and crisis assistance.
I look forward to continuing to inspire change in our organisation, our clients and the communities that we work and live in.
HOW WE HELP
Client feedback & outcomes determine our success
2022-2023 client responses survey results completed the program
Enhancement of Client Skills & Business Capabilities
% CLIENTS IMPROVED BUSINESS CAPABILITIES
100%
ACHIEVED
EACH YEAR
2019-2023
EACH YEAR
2019-2023
% Improvement
of clients who engaged in these activities
No Data Found
survey responses clients completing service
Counsellor service excellence & client satisfaction
SERVICE QUALITY
98%
2022-2023
100%
2021-2022
100%
2021-2022
CLIENT SATISFACTION
98%
2022-2023
100%
2021-2022
% CLIENTS RECOMMEND SERVICE
98%
WILL or ALREADY HAVE
% Excellence
Counsellor Knowledge, Understanding & Service
No Data Found
survey responses clients completing service
% Satisfaction of clients engaged in the service
No Data Found
survey responses clients completing service
712
TOTAL
BUSINESSES
ASSISTED
BUSINESSES
ASSISTED
155 Case Managed
160 Transactional
211 General Enquiries
General enquiries reflect our focus on being the go-to rural support service for information & guidance
526
TOTAL
CLIENT
CASES
CLIENT
CASES
361 New & Returning
165 Exited Program
Exited client are clients that had either finalised the program or had achieved their short-term goals and no longer engaged
2636
TOTAL
CLIENT
CONTACTS
CLIENT
CONTACTS
2636
TOTAL
CLIENT
CONTACTS
CLIENT
CONTACTS
TOTAL CLIENT CASES 2023
No Data Found
TOTAL CLIENT CASES 2022
No Data Found
In July 2021 changes to classification of clients required to reflect their engagement activities.
General enquiries identified contacts that did not require any ongoing support.
Transactional clients receiving short-term assistance & support based on current requirements.
Case Managed clients receiving a range of longer-term planning & support services.
Current conditions are allowing clients to focus on their family and business structures – succession planning · exit strategies · restructuring debt
REASON FOR ENGAGEMENT
No Data Found
Clients transition through 3 phases
Crisis Support
Planning
Recovery
Various activities and depth of services or programs applied are undertaken within these phases for clients to achieve immediate & future financial relief
% ACTIVITIES BREAKDOWN
Percentage of phased activities undertaken per year
No Data Found
increased planning activities due to clients recovering during 2022 exited the service in 2023, with remaining and new clients, at risk or transitioning from crisis, are proactively resilience planning
Real stories of impact RFCS Gippsland have on clients’ lives… representing thousands of rural business clients over 35 years
CLIENT PROFILE
The RFCS program assists a range of Primary Producers & Small Business located throughout South-East Victoria
2023 CLIENT INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN
% industry types
No Data Found
FARM INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN - Historical
% industry demand 6 year trend Primary Producers
No Data Found
PRIMARY PRODUCER CLIENTS TOTAL - Historical
No Data Found
FUNDING
$2.079M
TOTAL
FUNDING
$1,564,451
Government Funding
$490,630
Special Funding
$23,932
Other Support
Government Funding
$490,630
Special Funding
$23,932
Other Support
No Data Found
Additional funding received in 2021/2022 (start of new funding period) provides for additional resource management over the full funding contract period.
$0.07M
SURPLUS
No Data Found
Loss position in 2020/2021 included expenditure from funds received in prior year(s). Additional funding received in 2021/2022 (start of new funding period) to be used over remaining funding contract period.
$2.029M
TOTAL
EXPENDED
$1,184,726
Employment Expenses
$31,576
Board Directors
$457,479
Special Grants
$355,676
Other Costs
Employment Expenses
$31,576
Board Directors
$457,479
Special Grants
$355,676
Other Costs
No Data Found
Other expenses include project costs associated with implementing Client Management System, Learning & Development program, Government reporting systems and contracted administration
Execution of program funding is conducted with strong fiscal responsibility & governance
OUR TEAM
37 YEARS PROUDLY SUPPORTING GIPPSLAND INDUSTRIES BECOME MORE
PROFITABLE · SUSTAINABLE · RESILIENT
Directed and operated by a team of qualified specialists in finance; agriculture; business operations; and mental health, with a passion for supporting Gippsland communities
THANK YOU
A big thank you to the wonderful team of RFCS Gippsland, another great year of supporting our rural communities and your efforts are appreciated and valued.
LR: Davina Warman – Communications & Marketing, Chris Marshall – Rural Financial Counsellor, Anni Blanch – RFC Support Officer, Amy Stark – Wellness Support Officer, Nicole Thackray – contract Project Manager, Marshall Scott – Counselling Coordinator, Kylie Holmes – Executive Officer, Wayne Sanders – Rural Financial Counsellor, Trudi Laing – Rural Financial Counsellor, Nick Dudley – Rural Business Support, Glenda Diggerman – Accounts and HR, Karen Jones – Rural Business Support , Lynda Rasmussen – Administration Support
Absent: Felicity Riordan – Admin Support, Melissa Holden – Wellness Support, Taylor Hammond – Backbone Magazine,
2023 has seen our demand for services return to somewhat of a normal year allowing our team to network and engage with the community attending 215 events including facilitating statewide training sessions, workshops on overseas workers, succession planning and wellbeing. A total of 663 hours were committed by staff to collaborate with stakeholders which is important to foster relationships to enhance referral pathways and client support opportunities.
