Current News

We know that growers are a resilient group of people. The last 2 years have been a lot for everyone with Covid, Floods, Hail storms and cost of production pressures. If you need help please reach out to one of the following services:

• Rural Aid- Counselling (Mental health)- 1300 327 634
  https://www.ruralaid.org.au/services-provided/
• Rural Aid Counselling Intake Line – 1300 175 594. www.ruralaid.org.au
• National Centre for Farmer Health- Online Psychology Service. NCFH Online Psychology Service. Access a Psychologist Online- https://farmerhealth.org.au/access-a-psychologist-online
• RFCS- (Rural Financial Counselling Service)- 1300 771 741
  The local rural financial counselling services. https://www.rfcsvicne.org.au/. Watch the information video to find out what is covered by this service- https://www.rfcsvicne.org.au/images/rfcs-whiteboard1.m

As we head into harvest, check you have efficient and safe transport for workers between orchards.

We all remember the tragic death of the Woorinen South worker, who suffered fatal head injuries after falling from a trailer.   

This picking season, we're asking all growers to prepare safe work systems, so everyone can return home safely to their families and communities.

Visit the Worksafe Victoria website for more information

Coles Nurture Fund
Coles launched the $50 million Nurture Fund in April 2015 to help Australian food and liquor producers innovate and grow. Since then, we have offered more than $30 million in financial support to more than 90 small and medium sized businesses. . Australian producers can apply for a grant of up to $500,000 to help them develop new market-leading products, technologies and processes. Applications for Round 11 are now open and will close on Friday 24 February 2023.
Visit the Coles Nurture fund website for more information on this grant including eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Following our state’s significant rain events, you may not be thinking about summer and working in the heat. However for a safe and successful harvest season, we all know it’s best to plan ahead.

Working outdoors in the heat can bring unique risks and our bodies can be tested and become fatigued during harvest times.  

Fatigue isn’t the same as being sleepy or drowsy. It’s about pushing our bodies beyond their mental and physical limits day after day, with no time to recover.

Visit the Worksafe Victoria website for more information

The first of its kind, the Hub provides agribusinesses with information about traceability practices (including webinars, videos, podcasts and practical tools). The Hub provides a central, online place to inform, educate and connect businesses along the supply chain.
Check it out NOW- http://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability

Secure Jobs, Better Pay: Changes to Australian workplace laws
The Australian Government has passed the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. This legislation introduces new workplace laws and changes a range of existing rules. Some of these changes started on 7 December 2022, while others start later.
 
Key changes   
The new laws and rules relate to:

• prohibiting pay secrecy and job ads that contravene the Fair Work Act
• flexible work and fixed term contracts
• anti-discrimination and prohibiting workplace sexual harassment
• unpaid parental leave changes
• enterprise agreements and enterprise bargaining
• equal remuneration and establishing expert panels
• changes to the small claims process
• abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC).

Visit the FWO website for more information: Secure Jobs, Better Pay: Changes to Australian workplace laws.