SERVICE EXCELLENCE
OBJECTIVES
1. Implement Innovative Client Engagement Approaches
2. Collaborate with Client Support Stakeholders
From years of dedicated service,
a new seed of change grows,
cultivating a future rich with opportunity
RFCS GIPPSLAND ANNUAL REPORT 2024
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.
About Us
“We have been sitting at farmers dining tables for close to 40 years, working for and with rural businesses and their families to build better futures.”
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.
Our Rural Financial Counsellors change lives with independent personalised financial and wellbeing assistance – tailored to individual needs.
The RFCS program assists a range of Primary Producers & Small Business located throughout South-East Victoria
Thank you
for the opportunity to share our achievements over 2023-2024,
our client stories, and our
vision for the future.
from the Chair
“In the 2023-2024 financial year, RFCS Gippsland assisted a total of 421 farm or small rural businesses and individual clients across our service region covering south-eastern Victoria. This achievement reflects the trust placed in us by our stakeholders and community with referring clients, and our Commonwealth and State Governments, whose funding enables us to deliver Rural Financial Counselling Services alongside our other impactful initiatives like the Backbone magazine, the Detect & Protect wellness program, and ADAPT our online wellness training program.
Our mission remains clear: to assist clients in transitioning out of financial crisis, improving profitability, and enhancing financial wellbeing and resilience within our rural communities. Our team of skilled and qualified financial counsellors and advisors have focused on empowering clients to understand their options, make longer-term business changes, and develop strategies to manage risks and improve both financial and personal wellbeing.
Over the last year, the agricultural sector in our region has experienced relative stability following past natural disasters. However, our team remained proactive in supporting farmers and small rural businesses impacted by localised storm events and continued to focus on outreach efforts, collaboration with shires, and partnerships with industry bodies which demonstrates our commitment to providing accessible and effective services in both good and challenging times.
Initiatives like Backbone magazine and Detect & Protect continue to emphasise the importance of financial and personal wellness, which go hand in hand. And as we look ahead, we remain dedicated to delivering trusted support to our communities, inspiring change and continuing with our goal of being the preferred rural business support agency. We look forward to the opportunities that our future holds.
Thank you to the Board, Executive Officer Kylie Holmes, and our committed team for their tireless efforts. Together, we continue to make a difference.“
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
38 years proudly supporting Gippsland Farmers to become more
PROFITABLE · SUSTAINABLE · RESILIENT
VISION
Supporting economical & socially prosperous rural communities
MISSION
To champion & empower primary producers and small rural businesses to plan for a secure future
KPIs are regularly reviewed, amended or updated to ensure continuous improvement and progress.
No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found
421
TOTAL
CLIENT
CASES
CLIENT
CASES
255 New or Returning
189 Case Managed
119 Transactional
113 General Enquiry
236 Exited Program
Exited client are clients that had either finalised the program or had achieved their short-term goals and no longer engaged
306
INDIVIDUAL FARM BUSINESSES
ASSISTED
ASSISTED
221 New or Returning
143 Case Managed
107 Transactional
93 General Enquiry
190 Exited Program
General enquiries reflect our focus on being the go-to rural support service for information & guidance
1849
TOTAL
CLIENT
CONTACTS
CLIENT
CONTACTS
1849
TOTAL
CLIENT
CONTACTS
CLIENT
CONTACTS
TOTAL CLIENT CASES 2024
No Data Found
TOTAL CLIENT CASES 2023
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.
FARM INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN - Historical
% industry demand 6 year trend Primary Producers
No Data Found
2024 CLIENT INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN
% industry types
No Data Found
PRIMARY PRODUCER CLIENTS ASSISTED
No Data Found
Current conditions are allowing clients to now focus on their family and business structures with longer term planning activities – succession planning, exit strategies, restructuring debt etc
REASON FOR SEEKING SUPPORT
No Data Found
% ACTIVITIES BREAKDOWN
Percentage of phased activities undertaken per year
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
Enhancement of Client Skills & Business Capabilities
% CLIENTS IMPROVED BUSINESS CAPABILITIES
100%
ACHIEVED
EACH YEAR
2019-2024
EACH YEAR
2019-2024
% Improvement
of clients who engaged in these activities
No Data Found
survey responses from client completing service
CLIENT SATISFACTION
96%
2023-2024
98%
2022-2023
CLIENTS RECOMMEND SERVICE
100%
WILL or ALREADY HAVE
SURVEY RESPONSES FROM CLIENT COMPLETING SERVICE
No Data Found
Client feedback & outcomes determine our success
Survey responses from client completing service
$1.771M
TOTAL
FUNDING
$1,583,606
Government Funding
$120,218
Other Support
Government Funding
$120,218
Other Support
No Data Found
$1.963M
TOTAL
EXPENDED
$1,392,000
Employment Expenses
$46,000
Board Directors
$416,000
Other Costs
Employment Expenses
$46,000
Board Directors
$416,000
Other Costs
No Data Found
$0.192M
DEFICIT
No Data Found
5 YEAR
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found
DOWNLOAD FULL FINANCIAL REPORT
Financial Report 2024
Introducing…
the beginning of something new,
“From 2025, RFCS Gippsland will proudly transition into our new identity:
NEX Business Farming Wellness Ltd. This exciting rebrand reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the resilience and success of our communities.
Under the NEX banner, we will continue to deliver the much trusted and valued program of Rural Financial Counselling alongside an expanded suite of programs and support tailored to meet the evolving needs of farmers and small businesses. Our new identity symbolises the intricate nexus of growth, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to fostering financial, business, and personal wellness within our farming and rural communities.
As we embark on this new chapter, NEX Business Farming Wellness will create opportunities to better connect with and empower the individuals and families who are the backbone of rural Victoria. Together, we will navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build stronger, more sustainable futures for our regions.”
Executive Officer, Kylie Holmes
Stories of courage and transformation
“I embarked on my dream of running a farm. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, everything changed… “
Wayne Sanders shares his client story on the importance persistence and resilience.
“After forty years of running my beef cattle farm, I found myself at a crossroads.“
Chris Marshall shares his client story on the value of making decisions early.
“I found myself in uncharted waters, balancing a struggling business, mounting debts, and the demands of full-time caregiving.”
Karen Jones shares her client story which illustrates intricacy of business and personal wellbeing.
“I can now see the value in setting goals and taking action to improve my overall wellbeing”
Melissa Holden shares her client wellness story on importance of self-care.
Out and About
Noel, Ken and Chris:
Orbost Open Day at a robot dairy farm
Marshall Scott Counselling Coordinator: Backbone distribution
Nick Dudley Rural Financial Counsellor: Agroforesty field day
Nick Dudley Rural Financial Counsellor: Backbone Distribution
Backbone distribution
Backbone distribution
Marshall Scott Counselling Coordinator, Kylie Holmes Executive Officer: ABARES Conference
Chris Marshall Rural Financial Counsellor: Have a Yarn Orbost
Professor Richard Eckhard, Anni Blanch: Carbon farming accounting workshop
Marshall Scott Counselling Coordinator: Nilumbik Regenerative Agriculture Forum
RFCS Gippsland Table: Let’s have a yarn
Amy Stark Wellness Officer, Kylie Holmes Executive Officer: PHN Award night 2023 (RFCS Gippsland finalists)
Amy Stark Wellness Officer:
Wellbeing presentation
GippsDairy event: Dairy Muster in Trafalgar
Chris Marshall Rural Financial Counsellor: Business of farming workshop at Benambra
RFCS Gippsland Round Tables event
Maffra RFCS Gippsland Round Tables event
Marshall Scott Counselling Coordinator:
Farming and Food Futures workshop
Marshall Scott Counselling Coordinator: East Gippsland Field Days
Chris Marshall Rural Financial Counsellor: Gippsdairy with Robyn Duffy from Latrove Council – local farmer post February storm event
Bulla Dairy Foods donations at Farm World 2024
Kylie Holmes Executive Officer: SalesForce world Tour 2024
Mountain Cattle Sales in Benambra
Kathy Gabriel: Community Social night in Wairewa