The Life after Farming in Colac Otway project aims to connect retiring farming men and women to a range of community services, programs, and social activities to support a positive transition into retirement, recognising that retiring from farming and rural living can be a huge change, this project is about helping point people in the right direction, sharing experiences and enjoying your life after farming.
The project is supported by a project coordinator, Sarah Brien who works closely with the project steering group to carry out the project.
Background
- The project idea came from feedback to Colac Otway Shire and information from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation report ‘Older Farmers and Retirement, Roslyn Foskey, January 2005.
- Funding was provided to the Community Hub Inc through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Seniors Participation Program, a project officer has been engaged to manage the project.
- A project steering group with representatives from Victorian Farmers Federation and United Dairy Farmers, U3A, Colac Otway shire, Positive Aging Ambassadors, Central Otway Landcare and Rural Finance ensures there is a broad range of experience to support the successful delivery of the program.
- This project aims to use a peer support model which utilises and builds upon the knowledge and experience of people who have made the transition already to support others to do so.
We are currently recruiting Life after Farming Volunteers and are looking for people to share their own experience, lend a friendly ear and provide connections to the community for others who have retired or thinking about retiring from farming.
We are hosting a series of morning tea drop in sessions around the shire for a cuppa and to talk about retirement and what you are going to do next.
If you are interested in coming to our morning tea chats, can encourage others to come along, and happy to chat and share relevant feedback please get in touch with Sarah.
Sarah can be contact by phone 0419 545 548 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
