After three years helping the farming community across the region manage the impacts of flood, drought and interest rates, Narrabri Rural Financial Counsellor Frances Harvey will hang up her hat from today leaving a very special space to be filled.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am returning to Queensland,” says Frances “it has been a privilege to work with you and I have enjoyed living in Narrabri – it is a great town to live in”.

From flood to drought and futureproofing

Due to her dedication, caring and incredible knowledge, Frances has become well known in the region with both her valued clients and within the recovery and preparedness services sector.

She has worked tirelessly connecting, communicating, and sharing information across the community and recently succeeded in achieving a long-held goal to establish the Rural Services Support Network which now meets quarterly at the Exchange with thanks to the kind support of Jillian Kilby, George Gourley and team.

However, with many farmers still in recovery mode from the previous years of flooding, fluctuating commodity prices and the uncertainty of interest rates and drought always hovering on the horizon, the job is far from over.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW Northern Region who provide free, confidential support to farmers are now looking for the right person to take up the baton and carry forward with empowering the farming community to thrive and be prepared for all the challenges they face.

“Supporting regional communities means not only being invested in what we do but finding right people from within the community to do it,” says RFCSNR CEO Gary Goldberg

“We are here for the long term to support farmers and their families in rural NSW, especially in the Narrabri region.

“Having someone who can pick up from the outstanding work Frances has done with her clients is exciting and we want to hear from people who love living in the region.

“Local knowledge is just as critical as our financial and agricultural understanding for supporting our clients’ farming journey.

“We will dearly miss Frances though and we want to thank her for contribution to Narrabri and to RFCNSR”.

Applications are now open to fill the space Frances will leave and make it their own.

Anyone with a strong financial and agricultural background who loves working to support the community is encouraged to apply.

Visit www.rfcsnr.org.au/employment to apply RFCSNR – a unique model of support

Rural Financial Counsellors work one on one holistically with farmers over time.

This unique approach builds financial and personal resilience by delivering:

• Practical and meaningful analysis of their farm business.

• Understanding and financial literacy skills.

• Risk reduction and business preparedness planning.

• Presentation and explanation of alternative business options.

• Debt mediation and advocacy.

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