Drought Proof Futures Program – Small Business Fundamentals
RDAMR is delivering the Drought Proof Futures Program, an initiative of the Government of South Australia through the Office for Small and Family Business, under the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023-2030.
About the Project
This program provides targeted, practical support to help local business owners build essential skills in areas such as financial management, marketing, strategic planning and workforce development.
Through workshops, mentoring and tailored training, participants gain the tools needed to improve business sustainability and long-term growth.
Importantly, the program prioritises equitable access for under-represented groups—including First Nations people, women, people with disability and those in remote areas—ensuring every small business has the opportunity to adapt, grow and thrive despite the challenges of drought.
Whether you’re navigating current drought conditions or preparing for future risks, this program offers relevant, real-world support to help your business remain strong and future-focused.
Program Support Includes:
One-on-one mentoring sessions with experienced advisors and Group workshops covering key topics such as:
- Financial management, cash flow and budgeting
- Business and strategic planning
- Sales and marketing (including social media and digital)
- Increasing business efficiency
- Preparing for natural disasters
- Developing new markets and customers
Help Shape the Program!
We are seeking input from local businesses to ensure the program meets community needs. If you are a small business in the Murraylands or Riverland, please complete our short survey by clicking the button below.
Your feedback will directly influence the design of workshops and mentoring support.
How to Get Involved:
RDAMR invites small and family businesses to enrol in the Drought Proof Future Program – Small Business Fundamentals, for the Murraylands and Riverland region.
This program has been designed specifically for businesses impacted by drought, offering tailored mentoring, practical workshops, and one-on-one support to help you strengthen your business fundamentals, plan with confidence, and build resilience for the future.
By completing this registration form, you’re taking the first step in accessing personalised guidance, proven tools, and a supportive network to help your business adapt and thrive during challenging times.
Businesses located in the Murraylands or Riverland are eligible to participate. To register your interest, please complete our registration form and our Project Manager will contact you directly.
For further information, please contact:
Mandy Tennant, Project Manager
mtennant@rdamr.com.au
Turning Ideas Into Projects…
Got a great idea but not sure how to make it grant-ready? Here’s how to turn that lightbulb moment into a project, funders will actually want to support.
Grant Sites
Rather than searching manually every week, let opportunities come to you. Good options include:
RDA Limestone Coast
Get FREE access to the Limestone Coast Grant Finder, a tool tailored to our region.
It provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available to local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals. It will help you find grants, manage grant applications and even receive email alerts when new grants are released.
Drought Proof Futures Program – Small Business Fundamentals Events
FREE 4hr 1:1 Business Health Check
It is often the case that a business owner can become consumed by the day-to-day operations of their business and there is little time left to work on the business.
Step back. Reset. Refocus.
Work one-on-one with an experienced advisor to:
- Improve management effectiveness
- Business Structure
- Strengthen financial & business planning
- Improve risk management
- Consider succession & long-term strategy
- Support personal development & wellbeing
Practical. Focused. Tailored to your business.
FREE Practical Marketing System Program
From Guesswork to Growth. A Practical Marketing Systems Program for Rural & Ag Small Businesses.
If you’re a rural or ag small business owner, chances are your offer is solid…but your marketing feels scattered, inconsistent, and reactive. And honestly — that’s normal.
When you’re busy running the business, marketing is often the first thing to slip. This program is designed to change that.
With the right systems in place, rural businesses can:
- Attract genuine enquiries
- Confidently communicate their value
- Save time and budget with a clear plan
- Make smarter decisions using real data — not guesswork
Digital Marketing that gets you Found, Trusted and Chosen
15/10/26 10am-12:30pm
Presented by Adelaide Business Hub, Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland, Waikerie Business Alliance and The Australian Government Digital Solutions program.
Facilitated by Kerryn Page, Quisk.
Digital marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. In this practical, hands-on workshop, you’ll step into the shoes of your customers and evaluate how your business appears online. You’ll identify what’s working, uncover opportunities for improvement, and leave with practical actions you can implement immediately to help more people find, trust and choose your business.
What You’ll Learn
- How to assess your business from a customer’s perspective and identify quick wins
- The essential elements of a website, Google Business Profile and social media presence that build trust
- How to use reviews, testimonials and customer stories to increase credibility
- Simple content strategies that keep your business visible without spending hours online
- A practical action plan to improve your digital marketing using free or low-cost tools
Bringing a laptop is optional. Printed resources and activities will be provided.
Enjoy complimentary light lunch and networking with fellow participating small businesses during the Q&A
📅 Thursday, 15th October
⏱️ 10.00am – 12.30pm
📍 Waikerie Hotel – 2 McCoy St, Waikerie SA 5330
💲 FREE
Digital Marketing that gets you Found, Trusted and Chosen
15/09/26 11am-1:30pm
Presented by Adelaide Business Hub, Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland, Waikerie Business Alliance and The Australian Government Digital Solutions program.
Facilitated by Kerryn Page, Quisk.
Digital marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. In this practical, hands-on workshop, you’ll step into the shoes of your customers and evaluate how your business appears online. You’ll identify what’s working, uncover opportunities for improvement, and leave with practical actions you can implement immediately to help more people find, trust and choose your business.
What You’ll Learn
- How to assess your business from a customer’s perspective and identify quick wins
- The essential elements of a website, Google Business Profile and social media presence that build trust
- How to use reviews, testimonials and customer stories to increase credibility
- Simple content strategies that keep your business visible without spending hours online
- A practical action plan to improve your digital marketing using free or low-cost tools
Bringing a laptop is optional. Printed resources and activities will be provided.
Enjoy complimentary light lunch and networking with fellow participating small businesses during the Q&A
📅 Tuesday 15 September 2026
⏰ 11.00am–1.30pm
📍 The Precinct – The Mezzanine Function Room, 27 Bookpurnong Terrace, Loxton SA 5333
💲 FREE
Equip – Preparing for Natural Disasters Workshop
29/05/26 & 30/05/26
The Riverland community will soon be able to take part in the National Equip Program, a community-based initiative focused on strengthening mental wellbeing and disaster preparedness.
The program will be delivered in Berri on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May 2026.
Equip helps rural communities prepare for challenges such as fire, flood and drought by building mental fitness, wellbeing and local readiness before a crisis occurs.
A Local Community Advisory Group has been working for more than six months to help shape the Riverland delivery, ensuring the program reflects local experiences and priorities.
Each participant will be asked to complete surveys during the workshop and will be entitled to $50 Local towns gift cards.
Through community workshops, participants will build practical skills to support wellbeing and preparedness, including understanding stress responses, strengthening community support networks, and improving confidence in responding to future extreme weather events.
Equip is led by the University of New England and funded through a $5 million Medical Research Future Fund grant from the Australian Government.
Small Business Information Session & FREE Marketing Workshop
15/04/26 5-8:30pm
Find out what opportunities are available to small businesses with an information session from Rural Business Support.
- Date: Wednesday 15th April 2026
- Time: 5pm – 6:30pm
- Venue: Meningie Bowling Club
- Type: In-person workshop
- Cost: FREE
AND
Free Marketing Workshop by Randall Poole from Reward Design.
Overview of industry lingo, small business marketing and websites + more. The workshop will be tailored to meet your needs, based on your registration answers.
- Date: Wednesday 15th April 2026
- Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
- Venue: Meningie Bowling Club
- Type: In-person workshop
- Cost: FREE
Small Business Information Session & FREE Marketing Workshop
14/04/26 5-8:30pm
Find out what opportunities are available to small businesses with an information session from Rural Business Support.
- Date: Tuesday 14th April 2026
- Time: 5pm – 6:30pm
- Venue: Tailem Bend Function Centre
- Type: In-person workshop
- Cost: FREE
AND
Free Marketing Workshop by Randall Poole from Reward Design.
Overview of industry lingo, small business marketing and websites + more. The workshop will be tailored to meet your needs, based on your registration answers.
- Date: Tuesday 14th April 2026
- Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
- Venue: Tailem Bend Function Centre
- Type: In-person workshop
- Cost: FREE
Elevate & Execute Workshop
24/03/26 5:30-7pm
For the business owner who’s already showing up — but knows there’s another level.
This session is about refining what’s already working, elevating your strategy, and executing with intention. We’ll dive into smarter content, stronger messaging and how to turn your online presence into real momentum. Think: aligned strategy, elevated content and purposeful execution.
- Date: Tuesday 24th March 2026
- Time: 5:30pm – 7pm
- Venue: Loxton Business Hub
- Type: In-person workshop
- Catering: Light dinner provided
- Cost: FREE
To register, please email Sonya: admin@loxtonchamber.com.au
Show Up & Stand Out Workshop
19/03/26 9-10am
For the business owner who’s ready to stop overthinking and start showing up.
If social media feels overwhelming, inconsistent, or like something you should be doing (but don’t quite know how)… this session is for you. We’ll simplify your online presence, refine your content direction, and you’ll even learn how to create your own reel. Think: clarity, confidence, and a fresh perspective.
- Date: Thursday 19th March 2026
- Time: 9am – 10am
- Venue: Loxton Business Hub
- Type: In-person workshop
- Catering: Morning tea provided
- Cost: FREE
To register, please email Sonya: admin@loxtonchamber.com.au
Our Action – Based on community feedback
Drought in the Murraylands and Riverland doesn’t just threaten farms—it reverberates through towns, affecting local businesses, services and community livelihoods. This program was shaped with a clear understanding of local pressures, drawing on evidence and regional insights to offer tailored, practical support.
Many farmers, especially in the Mid North, Riverland and Murraylands, are heading into their third year of drought‑like conditions and reaching breaking point… the flow‑on effect is starting to impact local towns and communities, where pubs, bakeries and hardware stores rely on primary producers for their business.
Local government commentary on drought’s wider effects in the Murraylands and Riverland
