Natimuk, Victoria

March 2026

In March 2026, Rural Aid volunteers travelled to Natimuk in western Victoria to support farming families recovering from the devastating Grass Flat fires and ongoing extreme seasonal conditions affecting the region. Earlier that year, fast-moving bushfires driven by hot temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions tore through large areas surrounding Natimuk, destroying fencing, damaging infrastructure and impacting farmland and livestock. For many local farming families, the fires came on top of repeated floods, storms and prolonged dry conditions that had already placed enormous pressure on day-to-day farm operations and recovery efforts.

During the Farm Recovery Event, 36 volunteers worked alongside eight local farming families to help tackle the long recovery journey still underway across the region. Volunteers assisted with fencing repairs, property clean-up and practical farm jobs that helped restore damaged infrastructure and ease pressure on local families rebuilding their farms and livelihoods. Beyond the physical work completed, the event brought encouragement, connection and a reminder that rural communities across Australia continue to stand together through hardship, recovery and rebuilding.