Former counsellor and case worker, and Navy coxswain, Brian Hill, has been two months in the job.
Primarily tasked with linking residents to support services, Mr Hill has been travelling around the shire to get to know the region and making contact with groups so people know he is available.
While he hasn’t been able to talk to many larger groups due to the COVID-19 restrictions, he has still been able to have face-to-face contact with individuals.
Formerly based in Deniliquin with St Vincent de Paul Society working with families across a large part of the southern Riverina, Mr Hill said there were familiar issues emerging.
Isolation for men, including farmers, can make it problematic in gaining help.
Transport to health and support agencies is also increasingly an issue.
The position is a new one for Strathbogie Shire and one of the priorities is to engage with the farming community and to direct people towards mental health, financial and relationship agencies.
“Every town has an action group, so I have been in touch with them and also visited general stores. I’ve also been talking to the CFA,” Mr Hill said.
As well as direct contact with individuals, Mr Hill is hoping friends and neighbours will help with referrals.
“I know it takes a while to build trust in a new area, so I am trying to get out to communities and make contact.”
Brian Hill can be contacted on 0460 322 261.
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