Rural Health Innovation Fund

26/05/2026

We love sharing what our RHIF recipients are up to.

It’s always such a joy to see how the original written applications are translated into real activities, making a real difference for country South Australians.

Above and beyond the core aims of their RHIF grant, Gather My Crew is out there strengthening referral pathways by making their clients aware of the great work of the free Coordinated Care at Home App by making important connections with key local partners, like YP Chiropractic.

We look forward to seeing more as Gather my Crew share the love and spread the word.

25/05/2026

RHIF is so proud of the incredible impact West Coast Youth & Community Support's Grief and Loss Support Group is having.

It's championing providing a safe space for people to share their experiences through connections and healing together.

Over the past 7 months or so, our grief and loss support groups have become such a healing and supportive space for so many people in our Lower Eyre community. Watching connections form, stories be shared, and people feel less alone in their grief has been incredibly meaningful.

Yesterday Erin and Anne headed to Tumby Bay in the morning for a group and last night, Lain and Anne held a group in Port Lincoln. Anne is such an incredible person with so much passion and heart! ❤️

What has also stood out to us over the past 7 months is the amazing support from our local community and businesses who have helped make these gatherings possible.

A huge thank you to Kirton Point Children’s Centre and Kerry Schubert, Our Town Cummins and Beacon of Hope MGA wellbeing building for generously hosting our groups and providing a safe and welcoming space for people to come together.

We also want to add a little extra shout out to the Port Lincoln Hotel who kindly hosted us free of charge when we needed a venue change last night.

We were also blown away by the generosity of Port Lincoln Dominos and Lachlan, who donated our entire dinner order for the evening!

Community support like this reminds us that no one has to walk through grief alone. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this initiative and helped create a space of compassion, connection, and healing.

We thank the Rural Health Innovation Fund and Country SA PHN for supporting our grief and loss support groups. Without the funding we wouldn’t have taken the chance to get these off the ground and we are so glad we did because they have proven to be a very valuable opportunity. ❤️

17/05/2026

The Rural Health Innovation Fund wants to acknowledge the strength and diversity of community ideas shared across regional South Australia.

Between rounds, RHIF continues to support creativity, innovation, partnerships and shared learning across regions.

Keep following along and stay connected as the RHIF journey continues.

10/05/2026

RHIF exists to support community led, place based ideas responding to real health and wellbeing needs in rural and regional SA.

Guided by equity, fairness, learning and local leadership, RHIF aims to create space for strong ideas to grow responsibly. Applicants have told us the process was clear and supportive which is wonderful to hear!

Stay connected and keep sharing the ideas and work strengthening wellbeing in your community.

04/05/2026

RHIF is more than a funding program - it’s a shared learning journey with communities across regional South Australia.

Round 4 applicants told us that the support and guidance helped build confidence and made the process easier to navigate. Listening to this feedback helps RHIF continue to improve clarity, accessibility and fairness.

If you haven’t shared your feedback yet, we’d love to hear from you, it helps shape what comes next. Email RHIF Coordinator Susan Brown on [email protected].

03/05/2026

TUMBY BAY ~ Our first group starts this week ❤️

Our grief & loss support groups have been such a wonderful addition to our offerings in our region. Having the opportunity to access this support locally has the potential to change lives for the better; and we have witnessed this over the last few months. Anne is an amazing facilitator and we are so grateful we have her knowledge, passion and experience right her to learn and grow from.

The Tumby Bay group begins 7th May at the MGA House. (Despite what our poster attached says) It’s not too late to register your interest. You can do so by getting in touch with Erin at [email protected]

We encourage you to be brave and come along. We will never force anyone into sharing anything if they don’t wish to. Our participants have found that it has been nice to be among other people who ‘get it’ and share common experiences.

The biggest thank you to the Rural Health Innovation Fund and Country SA PHN who have made these groups possible with their funding.

29/04/2026

It’s great to see RHIF round three recipient Gather My Crew’s Denise Campbell and Country & Outback Health Inc care finder Stephen Donald collaborating to strengthen community-based support for people navigating aged care.

Country SA PHN care finder Lead Helen Morley said "It's so pleasing to see teams using local support options like Gather My Crew. This integration and collaboration is wonderful!”

RHIF, supported by Country SA PHN, is committed to improving outcomes through innovation, collaboration and integrated practical support for country South Australians.

29/04/2026

As RHIF Round 4 assessments progress our Round 3 recipients continue to drive inspiring place based solutions in their communities.

Whyalla Men's Shed’s ‘Seasoned with Sawdust’ initiative helps locals build skills, confidence, and community connection.

It shows what’s possible when local insight and innovation combine.

24/04/2026

As RHIF Round 4 applications are being finalised, we want to say a genuine thank you to everyone who applied and shared their experience with us.

We have already received encouraging feedback about the clarity of the process, the value of the RHIF Toolkit and the support provided throughout the round. These insights help us continue to improve and grow together!

RHIF is more than a fund. It’s a journey, a growing community of organisations committed to innovation, collaboration and meaningful impact for country South Australians.

Thank you all for being part of that journey and sharing in our mission.

22/04/2026

Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) Coordinator Susan Brown met with Whyalla Men's Shed earlier this month and spoke to participants in their Seasoned with Sawdust participants which RHIF was proud to provide funding for in RHIF Grant Round 3.

Whyalla Men's Shed provide a fantastic forum for older men and women in country South Australia to learn new woodworking skills and to socialise, improving their wellbeing in the process.

RHIF Presentation

We were fortunate to be joined by Susan Brown, Manager of the Country SA phn RHIF program last Wed and Thurs (April 8/9) who met with some the 'Seasoned with Sawdust' wood work class participants. Cognisant of regional sensibilities re fuel shortages Susan joined us via video link. Participants offered comments regarding the program so far and said they were very happy with the classes, what they have learned, the peer support and importantly with the results of their labours. Susan spoke briefly about some of the other RHIF sponsored projects currently underway in Round 3 in Port Lincoln, the Riverland, the South East and elsewhere and about how proud and thrilled RHIF was to be able to support community orientated projects. Susan said once the fuel crisis was over she was keen to visit Whyalla and maybe even get covered in sawdust herself.

Pictured left to right are Tony D (just out of frame) , Pat, Neil, Jane, Susan (on screen) , Jenny, Steve and Graeme. Gary was the photographer.

Classes funded by RHIF and supported by Country SA PHN
, , SA PHN