Agriculture Victoria engaged FGV to run a new program, called Informed and Supported Workers, to provide employers and workers in the fruit picking and packing industry with information to understand their rights and responsibilities this season.
But when the floods hit in and around Shepparton in mid-October, FGV quickly adjusted its focus when the team realised that many workers had been displaced and would need assistance.
FGV chair Mitchell McNab said as the body with the largest grower base in the state they were well placed to help.
“The main thing was people couldn’t move between Shepparton, Mooroopna and Ardmona due to the bridge closure,” Mr McNab said.
“There were plenty of displaced workers isolated on either side of the (Goulburn) river, which meant they couldn’t get to work, or home.
“FGV had the on-ground understanding of how to make that work.”
At the Shepparton Flood Recovery Centre, the FGV team helped people fill out forms for assistance and directed them to other services where required.
Growers were given support to complete flood assistance forms and advice on how their workers could be supported during the challenging time.
Mr McNabb said FGV also linked up workers with growers on each side of the river.
“With pruning and thinning timing is critical — you can’t hold off for a week or three — we weren’t sure how long or extensive the floods would be.
“Workers also wanted to keep having their wages come in to support themselves and their families.”
Mr McNab said now floodwater in the Goulburn Valley was receding things were getting back to normal, although some families still needed temporary accommodation, which FGV was continuing to help with.
“The recent finer weather has been welcome,” he said.
“It’s been a tough season on the back of the past couple of years of COVID and the trouble with getting resources and increased costs that brought, as well as poor prices.
“Then this year we’ve had the floods, and in some places hail, which meant things snowballed, but people are just putting their head down and getting on with it hoping to grow the best crop they can.”
Cherries are being picked now and stone fruit — including apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines — will start being picked soon.
Pears start being harvested from late January and apples from February.
Mr McNab said by mid-January, when the harvest season was in full swing, they’d be able to assess the full effects of the flood and weather.
Orchard workers around the Goulburn Valley who need support or assistance can call Amber at FGV on 0457 657 007. Workers or their friends and family can leave or send a message to arrange to have a call back with an interpreter if needed.
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