Drought package detail discussed

East Gippsland Shire Council, Orbost Regional Health and Far East Victorian Landcare met last week to detail how the first instalment of Victorian Government drought funding will be delivered to the Orbost and district community.

East Gippsland and Wellington shire councils will receive $250,000, with the first instalment of $100,000 now available.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Gaffney said $40,000 would go to the Orbost district for projects such as the Big Bonang Arvo, a field trip for women in agriculture and health and wellbeing initiatives.

“The meeting between with Far East Victorian Landcare’s Dawn Parker and Orbost Regional Health’s Meryn Pease last Thursday was extremely constructive, with various suggestions to utilise the drought package discussed,” Mr Gaffney said.

“Orbost Regional Health and Far East Victorian Landcare are really engaged in the process and have been of great assistance.

“Among the key discussions were how we could implement a first aid mental health program across East Gippsland that could be rolled out to not only farmers, but people supporting the farming sector such as stock agents, suppliers, contractors etc.”

Mr Gaffney said Council also has access to funding that can assist community groups with putting on events such as barbecues, wool shed morning teas etc.

“We are also working on a proposal to put to Council on how to best utilise the $1 million in Federal Government drought funding. We have requested changes to some of the funding parameters, however the majority will need to be spent on infrastructure projects in the area. Bush nursing centres may be one of the areas that come into consideration.”

Orbost Regional Health chief executive officer Meryn Pease said the community project Stand by Your Farmer was excited to receive the funding via Council.

“The funding will enable farmer health checks and activities at the Big Bonang Arvo (being held Wednesday, October 31),” Ms Pease said.

“This is a fantastic step forward in supporting our farmers and community during the drought.”

Ms Pease acknowledged this was timely delivery of the first stage of funding, and said the meeting with Far East Victorian Landcare and Council to detail program delivery was very productive.

Dawn Parker (Far East Victorian Landcare President), Meryn Pease (Orbost Regional Health Chief Executive Officer), Gary Gaffney (East Gippsland Shire Council Chief Executive Officer) and Paul Holton (East Gippsland Shire Council Director Development) discussed drought programs that will benefit the local community.