Joint media statement - Community Wellbeing Program underway in regional WA

• Commonwealth Government's Community Wellbeing Program commences
• $1.5 million program forms part of the almost $140 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package
• Rural Aid, Blue Tree Project and Holyoake will deliver services across regional WA

Funding to foster community wellbeing and strengthen community resilience in regional Western Australia has been provided to three support organisations, as part of the Commonwealth Government's Community Wellbeing Program.

The program forms part of the Albanese Labor Government's almost $140 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package.

The $1.5 million program, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, aims to support Western Australian communities impacted by the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.

Activities will be delivered across the sheep producing regions of WA with funding allocated to:

• Rural Aid to support to individuals and their families through one-on-one counselling services, an in-school program, and program coordination ($825,254);
• Blue Tree Project to build mental health awareness and community cohesion through a program of engagement and local events ($278,156); and
• Holyoake to upskill agricultural communities and networks to support individuals through mental health training ($396,590).

The program will be delivered collaboratively across the regions to ensure the activities respond to local need, linking into the Rural Financial Counselling Service offered through Rural West.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

"The Albanese Labor Government's Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package is supporting Western Australian sheep farmers.

"The Community Wellbeing Program will help build connections and resilience across regional communities so farmers can make the most of new opportunities and business prospects."

Quotes attributable to WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"The Community Wellbeing Program will deliver a package of support services with coverage across the sheep producing regions of the State.

"The collaborative approach to delivery, with each organisation focusing on a key area of community wellbeing from individual counselling to community events, will support connection and resilience in our regional communities."