Orbost, Victoria

August 2023

In August 2023, Rural Aid volunteers travelled to Orbost in East Gippsland, Victoria, to support farming families recovering from the devastating floods that impacted the region in late 2022. After intense and prolonged rainfall swept across eastern Victoria, rivers and waterways overflowed, cutting off communities, damaging roads and leaving farmland submerged under floodwaters. Across East Gippsland, farmers faced widespread damage to fencing, pastures, equipment and livestock infrastructure, adding further pressure to communities already carrying the lasting impacts of drought, bushfires and consecutive natural disasters in recent years.

During the Farm Recovery Event, 18 volunteers worked alongside six local farming families to help restore damaged properties and assist with the long recovery effort still underway months after the floods. From repairing fencing to clearing debris and tackling practical farm jobs, every contribution helped ease the burden on local families working hard to rebuild. Beyond the physical support, the event provided something equally valuable – connection, encouragement and the reminder that rural communities are strongest when people come together to lend a hand.