Professionals Gather in Young

As a response to the disastrous cereal and fruit season in the Young district, an initial meeting of concerned community stakeholders was called late in 2010. From this meeting it was decided that a good way forward would be to invite service providers and professionals working in the Young district so that they might know what government and non government assistance might be available to the Young community.

This meeting was held last Thursday at the Uniting Church Hall in Young. The meeting was well attended by a diverse group of professional such as bankers, health workers, religious groups, farmers, NSW Farmers members and service clubs.

Greg Paul a Rural Financial Counsellor working in the Young district spoke of the various grants and loans available from a wide source of government agencies. Paul McMahon and Jeanette Lloyd from Centrelink spoke of the financial and counselling services available through their organisation.

John Harper a great champion of farmer's mental health offered useful strategies in supporting those who the professionals might come across as presenting with mental health issues.

I hope this is the beginning of an effective network in Young so that we might care for each other in helpful ways.

Congratulations to the Young UCA congregation and Rotary for hosting a great breakfast meeting.

Kel Hodge