ANNUAL
REPORT
2022
rural business is our business
"I have paid off all loans to banks.
It has taken me 20 years to get to this stage -
thanks to your help and others."
It has taken me 20 years to get to this stage -
thanks to your help and others."
"RFCS allowed me to view farming from different angle."
"Relieved my stress!"
"Knowing you always had someone with knowledge to refer to is what is great about having the service."
"Helped us navigate the complexities of the FHA,
improve budgeting, and assisted us in developing a plan with options for our business/assets over the next 5-10 years."
improve budgeting, and assisted us in developing a plan with options for our business/assets over the next 5-10 years."
"Overcoming the mine of paper work required for loan application.
RFCS saved my sanity! These documents are overwhelming to persons under stress."
RFCS saved my sanity! These documents are overwhelming to persons under stress."
"I'm so grateful for the service -
particularly my Counsellor."
particularly my Counsellor."
"Having a Counsellor with previous experience in farming is what's great about the service."
"I've been able to diversify my business opportunities."
Testimonials 2021-22 client exit surveys
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.
RFCS Gippsland is an incorporated non-profit organisation & registered charitable organisation funded by Commonwealth and State Governments to ensure viable rural communities
2021-24 RFCS Program commenced under the National Recovery & Resilience Agency now formally known as the National Emergency Management Agency along with Victorian State funding partners, the Department Jobs, Precincts & Regions – Agriculture Victoria
CHAIR’S MESSAGE
We have a proud heritage of supporting our communities across Gippsland.
Our Board and Management appreciate the confidence extended to us by State and Commonwealth Governments
to continue our work assisting rural communities to be more resilient and financially sustainable.
Our new funding deed has increased its support for rural and regional businesses by providing us the flexibility to maintain resources that can immediately be scaled-up during crisis recovery periods. It has also widened eligibility for our service, creating opportunities for a more proactive approach to supporting clients 'at risk' of hardship. Particularly important for regional industries who remain extremely vulnerable whilst recovering from concurrent and ongoing disasters.
During 2021-22, we have continued to evolve, investing in resources and innovation to ensure our services remains valued and relevant. This year, we strengthened our service delivery and support for financial health in our region by leading the development of a bespoke RFCS Learning & Development platform that has potential for adoption in regions across Australia.
We are also very proud to have achieved our commitment to provide complete wrap-around service support, for both farmers and small businesses, ensuring clients have the support they need for all aspects of their financial, personal and professional wellbeing.
This year we have seen continued challenges with the pandemic and I would like extend my gratitude to the RFCS Gippsland team, as well as our stakeholders, for adapting to effectively deliver support to the communities we serve.
ACHIEVEMENTS
WRAP-AROUND
SERVICES & SUPPORT
SERVICES & SUPPORT
Representing a complete circle of support, during 2021-2022 we achieved delivery of complete wrap-around support services for
FINANCIAL · PERSONAL · PROFESSIONAL WELLBEING
FOR ALL RURAL INDUSTRIES
IN HARDSHIP · AND · AT RISK
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?
Complete 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
During 2021-2022 we continued to experience a reduction in workload stressors after
years of multiple crisis assistance, which has allowed our team to focus on long-term resilience planning with clients, helping them recover and improve their financial future.
Furthermore, it has provided an opportunity to implement new internal systems to further improve our service experience, as well as offer Skills Training opportunities through the Victorian funded Rural Skills Connect Program. I am also extremely proud that we have been leaders in developing Wellness Support Services specifically designed for our rural communities.
I thank our team who work extremely hard at keeping clients engaged, as well as their positive commitment to reengage with the community, attending a significant number of events as COVID restrictions eased.
HOW WE HELP
Client feedback & outcomes determine our success
"Improved
Farm
Business Practices"
Farm
Business Practices"
"Diversified
Business"
Business"
"Improved Business Financial Management"
"Returned
a
Profit"
a
Profit"
"Reduced
Debt"
Debt"
"Improved Mental
Wellbeing"
Wellbeing"
"Helped
Develop Succession
Plan"
Develop Succession
Plan"
"Obtain
Loans
& Grants"
Loans
& Grants"
"Paid
All
Loans"
All
Loans"
2021-2022 client responses survey results completed the program
Enhancement of Client Skills & Business Capabilities
% CLIENTS IMPROVED BUSINESS CAPABILITIES
100%
ACHIEVED
EACH YEAR
2019-2022
EACH YEAR
2019-2022
% Improvement
of clients who engaged in these activities
No Data Found
survey responses clients completing service 2021-2022
Counsellor service excellence & client satisfaction
SERVICE QUALITY
100%
2021-2022
92%
2020-2021
92%
2020-2021
CLIENT SATISFACTION
100%
2021-2011
95%
2020-2021
% CLIENTS RECOMMEND SERVICE
100%
WILL or ALREADY HAVE
% Excellence
Counsellor Knowledge, Understanding & Service
No Data Found
survey responses clients completing service 2021-2022
% Satisfaction of clients engaged in the service
No Data Found
survey responses clients completing service 2021-2022
408
TOTAL
BUSINESSES
ASSISTED
BUSINESSES
ASSISTED
86 Case Managed
129 Transactional
193 General Enquiries
General enquiries reflect our focus on being the go-to rural support service for information & guidance
364
TOTAL
CLIENT
CASES
CLIENT
CASES
158 New & Returning
142 Exited Program
Exited client are clients that had either finalised the program or had achieved their short-term goals and no longer engaged
2835
TOTAL
CLIENT
CONTACTS
CLIENT
CONTACTS
2835
TOTAL
CLIENT
CONTACTS
CLIENT
CONTACTS
TOTAL CLIENT CASES 2022
No Data Found
TOTAL CLIENTS 2021
No Data Found
2021-2022 beginning of a new funding period include changes to client classification of their engagement activities, therefore increasing clients classified as Transactional – receiving short-term assistance and support based on their current requirements or Case Managed clients receiving a range of long-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 2021 exited the service in 2022, 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
2022 CLIENT INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN
% industry types
No Data Found
FARM INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN - Historical
% industry demand 7 year trend Primary Producers
No Data Found
PRIMARY PRODUCER CLIENTS TOTAL - Historical
No Data Found
2021-2022 beginning of a new funding period include changes to client classification of their engagement activities, therefore increasing clients classified as Transactional – receiving short-term assistance and support based on their current requirements or Case Managed clients receiving a range of long-term planning & support services.
Redefining client types reduced the number of 2021-2022 case managed clients reported – and increasing transactional clients to 198 (188 new)
FUNDING
$2.490M
TOTAL
FUNDING
$1,895,531
Government Funding
$535,859
Special Funding
$59,374
Other Support
Government Funding
$535,859
Special Funding
$59,374
Other Support
No Data Found
2021-22 was the beginning of the new Commonwealth 3 year funding deed, allocating special contingency funding to immediately respond and mobilise additional resources during a disaster.
Victorian State special grant funding to deliver the Rural Skills Connect program over 12 months ending December 2022
$2.108M
TOTAL
EXPENDED
$771,856
Employment Expenses
$49,577
Board Directors
$720,192
Special Grants
$566,494
Other Costs
Employment Expenses
$49,577
Board Directors
$720,192
Special Grants
$566,494
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
35 YEARS PROUDLY SUPPORTING GIPPSLAND INDUSTRIES BECOME MORE
PROFITABLE · SUSTAINABLE · RESILIENT
Directed and operated by a local team of qualified specialists in finance; agriculture; business operations; and mental health, with a passion for supporting Gippsland communities
THANK YOU
We sadly said goodbye to some of our team retiring from the service during 2021-2022:
Anne Gilligan, Jane Coots & Jenny Mason
Their dedication and commitment to the growth of the organisation is greatly appreciated by the Team, Management and Board, who all share gratitude for their contributions and wish them well for their future
Their dedication and commitment to the growth of the organisation is greatly appreciated by the Team, Management and Board, who all share gratitude for their contributions and wish them well for their future
LR: Marshall Scott – Counselling Coordinator, Jamie Robinson – Small Business Support, Nicole Thackray – Systems Developer, Wayne Sanders – Rural Financial Counsellor, Kylie Holmes – Executive Officer, Nick Dudley – Rural Business Support, Trudi Laing – Rural Financial Counsellor, Taylor Hammond – Communications Manager
As COVID restrictions easing during 2022, our team got out in the community, attending 180 events and engagement opportunities, including 218 hours collaborating with stakeholders to further enhance client support opportunities
ABOUT US
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
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
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Annual Report 2022
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