RURAL
FINANCIAL COUNSELLING PROGRAM
RURAL NEWS
Maranoa BeefDecember 16, 2020
Client SupportDecember 16, 2020
FUTURE FAMILY FARMINGAugust 27, 2020
The Rural Financial Counselling Program is designed to deliver free, impartial, independent, confidential financial counselling to eligible rural clients so you can manage and adjust to volatilities and changes within your business environment.
The program is funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
A rural financial counsellor can help you identify your financial options and support you to make informed decisions for your future.
Our rural financial counsellors are a mobile workforce and can travel to meet with you and assist you with:
- Identifying financial and business options
- Maximising the value of assets
- Preparing cash flows
- Preparing Asset & Liability Statements
- Help understand your finances and financial statements
- Assisting with loan applications and refinancing options
- Negotiating with your lenders
- Assisting with repayment plans
- Developing a business plan for your enterprise
- Preparing for retirement
- Assist with pre-succession planning
- Referrals to professionals and other government agencies
- Providing information and assistance to access government and other assistance schemes
- Supporting clients to access Farm Household Allowance (FHA) Income Assistance
- Providing referrals for further assistance
We can assist and support you with applications for
- Farm Household Allowance
- QRIDA Concessional Loans
- Regional Investment Corporation Concessional Loans
- Drought Relief Assistance Scheme
- Other support programs
Hear from a few of our Financial Counsellors about how we can assist you
Hear from a few of our clients about how we have assisted them
Rural Financial Counsellors aim to identify options which see you, and your primary production business better equipped to manage your circumstances.
We can:
- Help you negotiate with lenders and creditors
- Confidently assess and prepare reports on your current financial position, cash flow and viability
- Identify appropriate business options, help you develop an action plan
- Help prepare you for meetings with financiers
Help you identify the need for advice from, and to prepare for meetings with, professional service providers from both the private and government sectors
Click on your part of Southern Queensland (below)
to find your local Rural Financial Counsellor.
Alternatively call 07 46 22 6600
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
Our RURAL team
Kim Corfield joined the RFCS in the Biggenden area in 2007. Kim works with primary producers in the North Burnett / Wide Bay and has helped grazing, cropping, sugar cane, timber harvesters, citrus and small crops industries by completing QRAA applications, cashflows, lending proposals, Farm Debt Mediations, their associated negotiations, and natural disaster grant applications.
Kim’s completed studies include a Bachelor of Commerce – major Accounting, Diploma of Financial Counselling, Trainer and Assessors Certificate, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution training to just name a few. Outside of work, Kim is involved in her family’s cattle property, and being active in the local community.
Belinda joined in June 2016 at the Kingaroy office. Belinda’s area is the South Burnett, travelling from Goomeri, down to Bell/ Cooyar and across to Moore. Clients include those operating in cattle, peanuts, lucerne, cropping and mixed grazing. The main areas of focus currently for Belinda’s clients are succession planning and avoiding Farm Debt Mediation.
Prior to the RFC, Belinda had 17 years banking experience, working in a variety of roles in rural and regional Queensland. Belinda’s background well places her to fully understand a client’s financial position and work with them to get the best outcome for them possible. Belinda’s background also gives her the ability to assist the clients in completing individual business or succession plans to suit their needs and circumstances.
Belinda has completed her Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling).
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Bronwyn Schultz (Biloela)
0448 124 016
Bronwyn joined RFCS in December 2018 and works out of the DAFF office in Biloela servicing the Banana Shire and upper end of the North Burnett. Clients in this region are predominately producers of Beef Cattle, Cotton, Lucerne and Cereal Cropping. There are also the diversity of Herbs and Squab Pigeons.
Prior to this role Bronwyn’s background was in banking and she owned an insurance broking and financial planning practice for 15 years. Her client base was predominately clients from farming and rural enterprises, helping them to put in place financial and insurance structures to protect their businesses and families.
Bronwyn has an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
John Lacey (Rockhampton)
0429 894 474
John commenced initially with the Service in August 2013 and came from a background in case management of clients with Centrelink and the Queensland Corrections system after managing two small business operations for 11 years.
Having grown up on the land John completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree upon leaving school before embarking on a varied and challenging career working for private enterprise, government and own small businesses.
In late 2014, John completed the Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) whilst working for RFCS in the Biloela area. John then spent the 2017 year working for QRIDA in Rockhampton before returning to the Rural Financial Counsellor role in early 2018.
From the outset of working with the Rural Financial Counselling Service, John has immensely enjoyed working with people to identify options which lead to workable solutions; ones which clients take ownership for and are motivated to pursue.
After working within the banking sector for a number of years as a personal lender and then moving into bookkeeping and financial management for rural business over the last few years, Kath has a good knowledge of the issues facing primary producers. Her area will include Bundaberg, Childers, Gin Gin and surrounds, but will also extend into the Gladstone region.
Encouraging financial literacy and embracing technology to streamline business processes is one area that Kath specialises. She can assist her clients to improve their understanding of the options available to them in their financial situation, assist with funding applications to Government organisations and provide practical support.
Kath’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Accounting, Diploma of Public Safety and she has completed her Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling).
FRASER COAST (2 Financial Counsellors available)
Derk Abberfield
0428 755 708
Derk Abberfield has been the Rural Financial Counsellor for the Gympie and Sunshine coast region since 2013, having transferred from a similar role in St George, where we commenced as counsellor in 2006.
The Gympie position services north as far up as Bundaberg through to the Sunshine Coast in the South. Derk enjoys the variety, and learnings, associated with the wide range of primary producers in that area – from small crops, fruit and nuts through to cattle and dairy producers.
Derk obtained his education from University of Sydney, Orange Agricultural College completing an Advanced Diploma in Rural Business. He has since completed a Diploma in Financial Counselling.
SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Angie Bowden
0419 737 443
Angie commenced as a Rural Financial Counsellor at Charleville in 2010 following the millennium drought.
Angie assists beef, sheep and wool producers in South Western Queensland including Bulloo, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie and Blackall Tambo shires.
Angie works with producers providing assistance and options to sustain their businesses through the adversities of drought, bushfires, floods and to adapt, or change or retire from the industry in the long term.
She has extensive knowledge of the various assistance programs as well as agribusiness, Farm Debt Mediation and negotiation after her many years’ experience in the role.
Angie is a member of Financial Counsellors Association of Queensland and holds a Bachelor of Business, Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) and various certificates in Small Business Management, Workplace Training, Mental Health First Aid and Negotiation. She is a Justice of the Peace Qualified and won the South West NRM 2016 Mulga Award for Exceptional Support Services to South West Queensland and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2017 in recognition of her exemplary work in community service and helping those in need.
SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Brian Dodson
0439 108 388
To be updated
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND - LOCKYER VALLEY
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Rachel Hancock
0477 056 074
I live in the Lockyer Valley and I am pleased to be able to assist our primary producers throughout the South East regions to access services and improve business practices.
My background is taxation and project management accounting, I have a passion for helping people to have financial understanding in their businesses, compliance and identifying processes to improve business methods and knowledge.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce Accounting (Major) and Human Resource (minor), currently studying towards a Diploma in Financial Counselling, currently studying towards a Masters in Business Innovation, with majors in Enterprise Leadership and Digital Transformation.
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND - LOCKYER VALLEY
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Vicki Franklin
0447 667 812
vicki.franklin@rfcssq.org.au
Our new Gatton based RFCSSQ counsellor, Vicki Franklin moved from Charleville this year to her new home just outside Gatton.
Formerly an AgForce Regional Manager and ABARES Field Data Collection officer, Vicki and her husband, Matt had been operating their own cattle station near Charleville for the past 21 years before the big move to Gatton.
With a strong retail banking background and an Agriculture, Agribusiness and Financial Services diploma, Vicki’s unique life story gives her a clear understanding of the decision, challenges and issues faced by rural producers.
“I have a great passion for agriculture and sustainable rural communities and I’m really looking forward to using my acquired skills and knowledge to give support and assistance to rural producers as they manage their businesses through the difficult times and setting and achieving future goals.”
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND - TOOWOOMBA
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Lewes Golden
0447 764 483
lewes.golden@rfcssq.org.au
Lewes Golden has been a Rural Financial Counsellor since August 2015. Prior to this, Lewes worked as a trainee accountant, a practice manager for an accounting firm in Roma, and been self employed as a share and derivative trader for his own business.
Lewes is based in Toowoomba and servicies most of the Toowoomba Regional Council area. Lewes works with a wide variety of business types including cattle and sheep/wool, grain and intensive cropping, dairy producers, orchards and other more intensive enterprises. Lewes has an Associate Diploma of Farm Management from Marcus Oldham, and has completed his Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling).
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND - TOOWOOMBA
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Jen Turner
0428 978 951
Jen joined the Rural Financial Counselling Service in February 2019 Toowoomba office having previously worked for the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority for 12 years. Having grown up on a farm in a rural community and now owning a small beef cattle enterprise with her husband, Jen has both an understanding of the challenges of the agricultural industry and an empathy for those making a living off the land.
Jen has a Bachelor of Rural Science, Diploma in Agriculture, a Certificate in Business and Financial Analysis and is currently studying for her Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling).
Nicole grew up mainly in Toowoomba where she completed school and her university degree.
Raised with a rural background, Nicole's extended family were beef producers in South West Queensland.
Nicole is a former financial advisor who was working for an accountant and financial planning firm in Toowoomba prior to joining the RFCSSQ.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Commissioner for Declarations.
Micheal joined the RFCS team in September 2016. Based in Warwick, Micheal services a broad area which includes the Southern Downs Region and surrounds and Scenic Rim Region area.
He has a strong agricultural banking background with over twenty years’ experience, primarily assisting Agribusiness clients within the Darling Downs, South West Queensland and South Burnett Regions. Prior to working for RFCS, Micheal also worked for the Department of Human Services as a Farm Household Allowance Case Officer and is aware of various support options available to assist clients in need.
Micheal is passionate in his desire to assist rural clients to overcome difficulties and maximise opportunities to achieve their goals.
Micheal has completed his Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling).
Hilary joined the RFC service in 2018 and covers the Chinchilla and Miles areas working in a part time capacity. Hilary has had experience previously with Drought assistance on a federal and state level. Hilary runs a cattle grazing property in partnership her husband and understands and appreciates the effects that climatic and commodity price fluctuations have on businesses and individuals. Hilary is also involved in her local community.
Hilary holds a Diploma of Agriculture and Rural Business Management as well as being a Justice of the Peace (Qualified). Hilary has applied for her Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling).
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND - ROMA
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Nathan Wichlacz
0428 341 397
The service area that I cover includes Maranoa and Banana Shires. We assist a wide variety of cattle, sheep and crop producers within this region. Assistance can be provided in areas including: negotiations with banks to continue existing finance arrangements, secure additional funding for purposes of restocking or property improvements, and assistance with applications for income support."
Nathan has resided in the Maranoa region for 25 years and commenced as a Rural Financial Counsellor with the service in August 2014. Nathan holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), Bachelor of Mathematics, Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) and a certificate in Mental Health First Aid. Having previously worked in accounting and financial management, Nathan still enjoys assisting his family on the weekends with their mixed farming property.
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND - ROMA
(2 Financial Counsellors available)
Dale Murphy
0408 790 087
Dale joined the Service permanently in January 2014, with prior stints in 2007-08 and 2011-12. Based at Roma, Dale mainly works with primary producers across the Maranoa region. Clients are primarily beef cattle, and the work involved covers everything from cashflow forecast preparation, to bank applications, bank negotiations, succession planning, and understanding the impact of carbon contracts on property operations.
Dale’s family has been involved in beef production around the Yuleba district for four generations and he continues this involvement when not occupied by his role as a RFC.
Dale holds degree qualifications in accounting, finance and agribusiness and a Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling).
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