Recognising 20 years of the Rural Financial Counselling Service in South Australia
In 2026, Rural Business Support marks 20 years of delivering the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) in South Australia, recognising two decades of support for farming families during some of the most challenging periods in recent history.
The establishment of a single, statewide Rural Financial Counselling Service in 2006 represented a significant shift in how rural financial counselling was delivered in South Australia. At the time, rural financial counselling nationally was transitioning to a more formalised service model, funded by the Australian Government and delivered through not-for-profit organisations. This shift aimed to strengthen governance, consistency and accountability, while maintaining strong regional connections.
In South Australia, this change brought together and built upon the work of 12 regionally based Rural Financial Counsellors who had previously been supported by dedicated local volunteer committees. Contemporary reporting and parliamentary records from the period reflect the scale of this transition, noting a move away from region-by-region delivery towards a coordinated, statewide service that could respond more flexibly to areas of greatest need.
We acknowledge the commitment and leadership of the early Rural Financial Counsellors, along with the inaugural Board of Rural Business Support and the organisation’s founding Chief Executive Officer, Kay Matthias. The inaugural Board—Don Blesing (Chair), Ian Bailey, Catherine Barnett, Paul Jorgensen, Domenica Latorre, Jeremy Moore, Andrew Nicolson, Jamie Smith, Abi Spehr, Sue Vogt and John Voumard—played a pivotal role in guiding the establishment of the statewide service model. Through governance, strategic direction and oversight during a period of significant change, and working alongside the CEO, they helped lay the foundations of trust, strong regional connections and community confidence that continue to underpin the service today.
The early years of the statewide model coincided with escalating drought conditions across South Australia, placing increasing demand on rural financial counselling services and reinforcing the importance of support that was accessible, locally informed and responsive to changing conditions.
Rural Business Support’s work has always been focused on supporting rural people and their families. Over time, the organisation has continued to evolve, seeking new ways to do more and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of clients, their families and their communities.
Building on the trust established in South Australia, a significant milestone occurred in 2011 when the temporary suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia had a major impact on Northern Territory cattle producers. In response, additional Australian Government funding was provided, and RFCS delivery by Rural Business Support was extended from South Australia into the Northern Territory.
Over the past two decades, the RFCS has supported South Australian farming families through prolonged drought, bushfires, floods, biosecurity incursions, market volatility and ongoing industry change. While the operating environment has continued to evolve, the core principles of the service have remained unchanged: providing free, independent and confidential support enabling primary producers to tackle the underlying causes of financial distress and to develop the tools, agility and confidence to make informed decisions as they work their way back to financial wellbeing.
This milestone provides an opportunity to recognise the people, partnerships and communities that have shaped the Rural Financial Counselling Service in South Australia over the past 20 years. It reaffirms our belief that sustainable rural communities are essential for Australia’s future and our commitment to support rural business families when they need it most.
(Left to Right) Kay Matthias, Founding Chief Executive Officer. RBS Inaugural Board Members: Jeremy Moore, Jamie Smith, Abi Spehr, Paul Jorgensen, Domenica Latorre, Andrew Nicolson, Don Blesing (Chair), Ian Bailey, Catherine Barnett and John Voumard. Absent Sue Vogt.
