Friday 14 August
Ampol has announced a significant partnership expansion with Rural Aid to strengthen practical support, mental health and wellbeing services, and long-term resilience across regional Australia.
The three-year commitment builds on Ampol's existing partnership with Rural Aid, which formally began in 2024 after five years of prior support, with fuel assistance for Rural Aid counsellors, volunteers and field teams, and helping critical services reach farming families and rural communities affected by drought, floods and other hardship.
Through the new agreement, Ampol will enable Rural Aid's highest-priority programs, including disaster assistance, infrastructure, and programs to support farmers, farming families and rural communities through everyday pressures, hardship, disaster, recovery and longer-term resilience.
The partnership will also create opportunities for Ampol employees to volunteer alongside Rural Aid teams, contributing directly to practical assistance for farmers and rural communities.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matt Halliday said the partnership reflected Ampol's long-standing connection to regional Australia and commitment to the communities in which it operates through the Ampol Foundation.
"Regional communities are central to Australia's economy and way of life, and Ampol is proud to deepen our support for the farmers, families and local communities who keep the country moving," Halliday said.
"Our partnership with Rural Aid has delivered practical assistance where it is needed most, keeping their counsellors and volunteers on the road, helping recovery work take place at the farm gate and supporting the wellbeing of farming families.
"This three-year commitment gives Rural Aid greater certainty to plan and respond as needs evolve, while helping more communities recover from hardship."
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said Ampol's three-year commitment will help Rural Aid reach more farming families and strengthen the support available to regional communities across Australia.
"Ampol's support means we can strengthen the programs that matter to farming families, providing disaster assistance, mental health support and practical support when communities are doing it tough," Warlters said.
"We know how much it means when someone shows up for a farming family in a difficult season. This partnership will help us reach further, connect with more communities and make sure more people know there is support available when they need it.
"Drought, flood, fire and ongoing pressures can have a profound impact on farming families and the communities around them. Having trusted support there to listen, provide practical help and walk alongside people can make a real difference.
"We're proud to have Ampol alongside Rural Aid for the next three years. Their commitment will help us reach more families, strengthen rural communities and be there for people when they need a helping hand."
Ampol's expanded partnership with Rural Aid comes as rural and regional communities continue to manage rising costs, severe weather and prolonged disaster recovery. By combining Ampol's national network, employee base and fuel supply capabilities with Rural Aid's on-the-ground expertise, the organisations will help ensure timely assistance reaches communities when and where it is needed.
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