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Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria – North West

Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria – North West, is a free financial counselling service for farmers and small farm businesses in North West Victoria.

Our Rural Financial Counsellors can work with you to provide information and develop options, while you make the decisions.

Rural Financial Counsellors are available to meet with you on your farm, at your business, or elsewhere if required.

The service is free and independent. Confidentiality is assured.

Give us a call today on 1300 769 489

Locations

About Us

We assist farm enterprises ranging from broad acre farming, livestock, mixed farming, dairy, forestry and all manners of irrigated horticulture. We assist ‘Small Agriculture Dependent Business’, defined as a rural business that employs no more than 10 full-time equivalent (38 hours per week) employees and provides the majority of its services to farmers and is directly involved in primary production (for example, fencing, harvesting, spraying or stock management). If your farming enterprise is struggling with debt, and there is added concern with the impact of drought, a Rural Financial Counsellor can help with:

Rural Financial Counsellors can provide you with the tools to make informed financial and business decisions, in the changeable and demanding environment for farming. Information given to Counsellors is treated in the strictest confidence.

Analyse and assess your current financial position so that you understand where you are now.

Prepare cash flow budgets so that you can see where you are going.

Develop a case management plan and a business plan (if required) so that you set and work toward goals.

Communicate or negotiate with your bank so that you can benefit from our experience.

Review loan arrangements or refinance your loans if you choose to look elsewhere for finance going forward.

Be prepared and supported through Farm Debt Mediation if things get rocky with your lender.

Be referred to appropriate professionals and services.

Plan an exit strategy for you and your family if you choose to cease production or leave farming.

Gain information on accessing Government or other assistance programs.

John Sheehy

John has over three years in the role of Rural Financial Counsellor and
holds a Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling).

Stephanie Ferdelja

Stephanie works with irrigated horticulture and dry-land
broadacre farming clients to improve their circumstances

Teresa O'Brien

Teresa has worked from Swan Hill as a Rural Financial Counsellor since 2009. She has a genuine
interest in improving outcomes for rural families and their communities.