Impact of the 2022 Victorian Floods
In Spring and early Summer 2022, high rainfall, storms and floods caused significant losses across the Victorian agricultural sector. The event resulted in almost $1 billion in production losses across 40 local government areas, affecting horticulture, grazing and broad-acre cropping industries. A further $840 million in asset damage caused long term pressure on farming families and rural communities.
NCFH response and support
In response to these widespread events, the National Centre for Farmer Health delivered a comprehensive suite of support initiatives to help farmers and communities recover. These included:
- #BuildingFarmSpirit social media campaign, featuring interviews with more than 50 farmers, agricultural advisors and rural health professionals. The campaign shared practical insights on protecting mental health and wellbeing during recovery.
- Free access to online psychology sessions delivered by farmer‑health trained psychologists, providing timely and confidential mental health support.
- Professional development webinars, including Helping Your Clients Out of the Mud, equipping agricultural service providers with skills to support farmer wellbeing during high‑stress periods.
- Community grants to more than 60 community events, helping to rebuild social connection, strengthen resilience and promote positive mental health across farming communities.
Farmer Perspectives
In the months following the floods, the #BuildingFarmSpirit team, travelled across Victoria to speak with more than 50 farmers, health professionals and industry advisors about the personal and community impacts of the unusual season, and the strategies that supported their recovery. Watch this video compilation capturing the key themes and learnings shared by farmers, advisors and health professionals.
Resources
Dr Rob Gordon – video
Clinical Psychologist and disaster recovery specialist, Dr Rob Gordon, shares how rural communities and individual respond to high‑stress periods, prolonged workload demands and the emotional toll of widespread flooding.
Helping your clients out of the mud – webinar
Designed for service providers and trusted agricultural advisors, this webinar covered:
- recognising and responding to farmer stress
- supporting farmers through recovery conversations and referral pathways
- maintaining personal wellbeing as a frontline advisor
Campfire Podcast Episode 20: Thinking through the flood recovery journey
This episode features speaker Dr Lauren Stracey, from Rural Aid, an experienced and passionate psychologist who expertly manages Rural Aid’s team of counsellors from her Sydney base.
Campfire Podcast Episode 21: Supporting farm kids through flood recovery
This episode features Jane Nursey from Phoenix Australia and explores how floods and difficult farming seasons can impact the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents in farm families.
Campfire Podcast Episode 22: Lets Talk – How to check in on a mate
This episode features Abbi Power and John Parkinson from Let’s Talk Australia, exploring practical ways to start meaningful conversations when you’re worried about a farming friend, workmate or family member.
AgVic Talk: After the flood – Stories of farmer recovery and resilience
Agriculture Victoria’s flood recovery team joined with the NCFH and the #BuildingFarmSpirit team to gather farmer and community stories exploring the real‑world challenges and recovery experiences following the 2022 floods.
Victorian farmers tell their flood recovery stories
Throughout the recovery period, the #BuildingFarmSpirit team attended industry days, community events and farm visits. More than 50 farmers, farm workers, health professionals and advisors contributed their perspectives on coping, recovery, resilience and community support. Watch their personal stories below.
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