Get Ahead of It

Welcome to Episode 4 of the 'Get ahead of it' series! Tough seasons, financial pressure and uncertainty can take a toll on more than just the farm business. In this episode, host Kim Corfield is joined by Small Business Wellbeing Coach Katherine Watson, Royal Flying Doctor Service psychologist Dr Tim Driscoll and Darling Downs Health TRACC Program Clinical Nurse Consultant Kristie Lambert to discuss mental health and wellbeing in rural communities.

We explore how to recognise the early warning signs of stress and burnout, practical strategies for managing pressure, the importance of staying connected, and how to start conversations with family, friends and colleagues. Our guests also share where primary producers and rural communities can access confidential mental health and wellbeing support before things reach breaking point.

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📌 *Chapters:*

00:00 Introduction and welcome

00:38 Meet our guests: Katherine Watson, Dr Tim Driscoll and Kristie Lambert

08:00 Why looking after your mental health matters during tough seasons

08:30 Recognising the early warning signs of stress and burnout

12:00 Physical, emotional and behavioural signs of mounting pressure

15:00 Practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining wellbeing

19:00 Building resilience through routine, connection and small goals

21:30 Having difficult conversations and focusing on what you can control

23:30 How to check in with someone who may be struggling

26:00 Building trust and supporting rural communities through collaboration

29:00 Taking the first step towards mental health support

30:00 Confidential mental health and wellbeing services in regional Queensland

38:00 Final advice and where to find support

39:00 Next month on 'Get Ahead of It': 'Clear heads in dry times'

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👩‍🌾 *About Our Guests:*

*Katherine Watson* is a Small Business Wellbeing Coach and Program Coordinator for the Business Wellbeing Support Service across Southern Queensland. Katherine works with small business owners and rural producers, providing early intervention wellbeing support and practical strategies to manage stress, build resilience and navigate challenging circumstances.

*Dr Tim Driscoll* is a Clinical Psychologist and General Manager of Mental Health for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland. Having grown up on a sheep and cattle property in Western Australia, Tim brings both professional expertise and a personal understanding of the challenges faced by rural and remote communities. His work focuses on improving access to mental health and wellbeing support for people living and working outside metropolitan areas.

*Kristie Lambert* is a Clinical Nurse Consultant with Darling Downs Health's TRACC Program, with qualifications in general and mental health nursing. Having grown up in rural and remote Western Australia, Kristie brings a strong understanding of rural life and the importance of community connection. She works alongside regional communities affected by drought, disasters and other challenging circumstances, connecting people with practical wellbeing support through a collaborative approach.

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🔗 *Connect & Resources:*

Looking for a clearer picture of your farm finances? Request a free, confidential chat with a local Rural Financial Counsellor: https://rfcssq.org.au/contact-us/appointment/

If you or someone you know is finding things difficult, you do not need to wait until crisis point to start a conversation. Reach out to your GP or a local mental health or wellbeing service to explore the support available.

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Listen on the go: Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Welcome to Episode 3 of the 'Get Ahead of It' series! Understanding how a bank evaluates your farm's financial standing is essential for securing working capital and building long-term business resilience. In this episode, host Warren Ryan sits down with Rural Financial Counsellors Ian Swanborough and Leonie Brassey to unpack how lenders assess cash flow, debt, and debt serviceability.

We explore what financial information banks look for, how to prepare for bank meetings, the warning signs of debt stress, and how early engagement with financial advice can unlock more options for your enterprise.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:58 Why banks assess cash flow, debt, and serviceability
04:42 Key factors in a bank's credit assessment
09:03 Preparing for a meeting with your bank manager
11:36 When to contact a Rural Financial Counsellor
13:33 The benefits of early financial intervention
17:07 Understanding agricultural lending risks
19:28 Overdraft management and warning signs
20:51 How banks determine interest rates for farm loans
22:48 Personal story: Lessons in survival and asking for help
24:39 Audience Q&A: What is a good equity position?
25:07 Next Month on 'Get Ahead of It'

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About Our Guests:

Ian Swanborough is a Rural Financial Counsellor based in Brisbane, supporting primary producers across South East Queensland. Raised on mixed farming properties, Ian brings a strong practical understanding of agriculture paired with extensive experience in commercial and agribusiness banking at NAB. Over the past seven years as a financial counsellor, he has specialised in helping producers navigate debt structures, seasonal budgeting, and proactive lender engagement.

Leonie Brassey is a Rural Financial Counsellor based in St George, Queensland. Her agricultural roots stem from sheep farming in Victoria, dryland cropping in Moree, and operating an avocado orchard near Toowoomba. With over eight years of commercial banking experience, including roles as a credit analyst at Rabobank and a relationship manager at Suncorp, Leonie brings deep expertise in credit assessment, risk mitigation, and financial resilience for rural businesses.

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Connect & Resources:

Need help unpacking your numbers? Request a free, 100% confidential chat with a local Rural Financial Counsellor: https://rfcssq.org.au/contact-us/appointment/

Subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode!

Listen on the go: Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Get Ahead of It series! Even profitable operations can find themselves trapped in sudden cash flow crunches. In this episode, host Warren Ryan explores the essentials of farm budgeting and cash flow management with BRS Board Member Leanne Rudd and Rural Financial Counsellor Micheal Fagg.

We break down how to build an accurate seasonal budget, interpret key financial signals early, and structure your cash flow to build long-term resilience for your business.

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📌 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Building the foundation of a farm budget

02:11 Why a budget is essential for farm success

04:02 The disconnect between profit and cash flow

05:26 Understanding cash flow signals before profit changes

07:08 Timing and decision-making in farm cash flow

08:50 Scenario examples of farm expansion and contraction

09:43 Early warning signs of cash flow stress

11:28 Monitoring farm finances regularly

14:19 Example farm budget and cash flow analysis

18:55 Adjusting budgets and planning for uncertainties

22:28 The importance of simplicity in forecasting

26:25 Using forecasts for better decision-making

27:05 Next Month on 'Get ahead of it'

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👩‍🌾 About Our Guests:

Leanne Rudd is an agribusiness specialist and Board Director for Business & Rural Solutions and, Director at Frontgate Advisory in Bundaberg. With over 30 years in public practice spanning accounting, taxation, and financial advice, Leanne also works alongside her family on their grazing operation in the North Burnett. She brings a deep, practical understanding of the challenges facing regional and rural businesses to help them grow sustainably.

Micheal Fagg is a Rural Financial Counsellor based in Toowoomba, supporting primary producers across the Darling Downs. Backed by over 20 years of experience in agricultural banking and previous experience as a Farm Household Allowance Case Officer, Micheal specialises in helping rural clients navigate financial difficulties, structure working capital, and maximise opportunities for long-term viability.

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🔗 Connect & Resources: Need help unpacking your numbers? Request a free, 100% confidential chat with a local Rural Financial Counsellor: https://rfcssq.org.au/contact-us/appointment/

Subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode!

Listen on the go: Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Get Ahead of It series! In this episode, host Warren Ryan sits down with long-term primary producers and experienced Rural Financial Counsellors Kath Clarke and Kim Corfield to uncover the financial blind spots hiding in your farm’s numbers.

We break down the big three financial reports (profit &loss, balance sheet, and cash flow) and reveal why a farm can look highly profitable on paper while still leaving you wondering where the cash actually went.

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📌 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and webinar overview

01:54 Types of financial reports explained

03:22 Cash vs. accrual accounting methods

05:52 What profit and loss reports don’t show

06:40 Understanding the balance sheet

08:02 The purpose of cash flow statements

11:34 Why profit can differ from bank balance

14:33 Using financial statements to improve farm performance

20:36 Analysing crop-specific profitability

22:03 Interpreting financial data for future planning

25:06 Preparing for seasonal cash flow challenges

26:02 Next steps and upcoming webinars

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👩‍🌾 About Our Guests:

Kim Corfield is from the North Burnett region and has been bringing practical, on-the-ground rural financial counselling experience to primary producers for nearly two decades. Having lived experience on the land herself, she specialises in helping farm businesses navigate cash flow constraints, debt structuring, and long-term viability.

Kath Clarke is from the Bundaberg region for the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) and has been empowering farmers for almost nine years. With a background in primary production, Kath focuses on breaking down complex financial statements into actionable steps to help farm businesses thrive.

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🔗 Connect & Resources:

Need help unpacking your numbers? Request a free, 100% confidential chat with a local Rural Financial Counsellor: https://rfcssq.org.au/contact-us/appointment/

Subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode!

Also available on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/bzk6JM8anf8