The VFF UDV is working to understand the full impact on dairy farmers following reporting around issues related to supplier payments involving Frestine Dairy.
Specifically, we are:
- Seeking the status of outstanding payment and the next steps from Frestine Dairy; Engaging with the Victorian Government to ensure the Minister and senior officials have appropriate visibility of the issue;
- Gathering information from suppliers to better understand the impact on individual farm businesses.
While we do this, we encourage any impacted dairy farmers to contact us directly:
Email: cgoodwin@vff.org.au
Phone: 0480 204 319
Hearing directly from you ensures we have an accurate picture of the situation and can represent farmer interests effectively.
We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
HANDY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:
If your business has been impacted by recent milk processor payment issues, support is available. These services can help you stabilise your situation, understand your options, and plan next steps.
🔴 Financial Supports
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
- Free, confidential and independent support
- Business planning, cashflow, creditor negotiation, grants
Phone: 1300 771 741 | https://www.rfcs.gov.au
Farm Advisory Service (Agriculture Victoria)
- Free one-on-one sessions with specialist farm advisors
- Up to 3 hours on-farm or online plus follow-up
- Up to two sessions per farm business
- Available farm advisors include vets, livestock nutritionists, and farm business advisors.Â
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/drought-support/help-with-farm-management-decisions
Farm Household Allowance
- Fortnightly income support for eligible farmers
Phone: 132 316 | https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
National Debt Helpline
- Support for personal and household financial stress
Phone: 1800 007 007 | https://www.ndh.org.au
Your Bank – Hardship Support
- Repayment pauses, interest-only options, restructuring
🟠Emergency Relief & Grants
Rural Aid
- Emergency financial assistance and household relief
Phone: 1300 327 624 | https://www.ruralaid.org.au
Country Women’s Association of Victoria
- Small grants for families in hardship
Phone: (03) 9827 8971 | https://www.cwavic.org.au
🔵 Legal & Additional Support
Justice Connect
- Free legal help and referrals
🟢 Mental Health & Wellbeing
Wellbeing Counsellors (via RFCS)
- Free, confidential support via phone or on-farm
Phone: 1300 771 741
Lifeline Australia
- 24/7 crisis support
Phone: 13 11 14 | https://www.lifeline.org.au
TIACS
- Free phone/text counselling for Tradies, farmers, truckies and blue collar workers
Phone: 0488 846 988 | https://www.tiacs.org
National Centre for Farmer Health
- Mental health resources tailored for farmers