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The event was held on the 10^th of March at the Carnarvon Yacht Club. Funded by the 2010 Dry Seasons Assistance Scheme the day aimed to enhance the wellbeing and resilience of families in areas that have dealt with external pressures on agricultural business.

North East Farming Futures Group Inc (NEFF) Project Officer Kate Najar organised the event on behalf of RFCSWA. She said a highlight of the day was to see everyone enjoying the range of health and wellbeing activities.

Free activities and workshops included sailing, drumming, belly dancing, circus, basket weaving, community painting and local produce demonstrations for the whole family. Excitement reigned as children also had a fabulous time on the enormous bouncy castle, face painting and balloon twisting activities.

More importantly participants were able to receive rural business support, financial counselling, free health checkups and psychological assessments.

Feeling inspired and informed, participants were treated with a massage, bowen therapy, chiropractic care, reiki or a session of sound healing from an army of volunteers.

The festivities continued into the evening with live music from Beck Tuesley, solo artist from Geraldton, Lez Karski’s Band from Albany and amazing performances by professional athletes from Gascoyne Circus and Belly Dancers from Carnarvon and Geraldton.

Families sat back to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner provided by the RFCSWA and listened to speeches from NEFF and RFCSWA Chief Executive Chris Wheatcroft, RFCSWA  Chairperson and Regional Men’s Health advocate Julian Krieg, Geraldton author and psychologist Elizabeth Szczepanska from Centrecare Family Services.

"It was interesting to hear about the gender differences in the brain and be reminded that we need to ensure our health and personal resilience is a priority   "Ms Najar said.

Together with NEFF, RFCSWA held a similar festival in Morawa last year. The day was so successful it received a Premiers Active Citizenship Award for outstanding contribution to community on Australia Day earlier this year. Ms Najar said the Morawa festival inspired the suggestion for a family focused event in Carnarvon.

“Many plantations and stations in Carnarvon are still trying to recover from floods, disease issues, locust plagues and recent fires,” she said. “We wanted to help support this area to nurture and sustain healthy, vibrant rural communities by holding a positive event to build stronger networks and resilient communities so they can better manage difficulties caused by agricultural downturns,” Ms Najar said.

NEFF and RFCSWA would like to thank the committee, sponsors, and volunteer support networks who made it happen including: Jillian Bilcich, Sam Da Luz, Pati Stidworthy, Elizabeth Szczepanska, Jason Bartilotta, Megan Harris, Keitha Bradley, Roberta Brown, Chelsea Lawler, Julie Williamson, Anne-Louise Marchant, Helena Bassett, Kjersti Endresen and Robyn Bostelman from Gascoyne Chiropractic, The Water Corporation, The Shire of Carnarvon, St Mary’s School, IGA Carnarvon, Department of Agriculture and Food, Boomerang Party Hire, Midwest and Regional Men’s Health.

NEFF is an organisation dedicated to developing viable farming futures using the best agricultural expertise possible. The organisation manages $1.6 million annually in projects including the Commonwealth grant for the RFCSWA. This service provides free, practical and proven financial counselling to farming, fishing and small agricultural businesses facing financial difficulty across rural communities in Western Australia. To find out more about the service call 1800 612 004 or go to www.rfcswa.com.au.