Rural Health Innovation Fund

10/02/2026

If you live in and around Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula and are suffering from grief or loss, keep an eye out for these grief and loss support groups.

These groups run by Mentally Fit EP, one of the services run by West Coast Youth & Community Support, are funded by RHIF and supporting by Country SA PHN.

CUMMINS 💚

A new grief and loss support group block will be starting next week at Our Town Cummins.

These groups offer A Space for Healing and Hope.

We are so grateful for these groups that we have rolled out over the past 5 months. 100% of attendees from our last group rated their experience as excellent. Some comments included:
“Great to be with people that just get it”
“It was great”
“Don’t feel alone. Felt connected to people that understand”

Our groups are run by an experienced counsellor, Anne Hueppauff (from Positive Future Self), who brings not only professional skills but also passion for healing and real, lived experience of loss.

It’s completely free, and everyone is welcome. You don’t need to have the right words, or know exactly what to say- in fact you don't need to say anything- just bring yourself.

We know joining something like this can feel scary… but often, the bravest thing we can do is to take that first small step toward connection.

Let’s learn together, support one another, and remind ourselves that hope can grow even in hard times.

Please let Erin know via email erin@wcycs.com.au if you’re interested in coming. Please note that there are 6 sessions in total, which are held fortnightly.

You’re not alone in this. We’d love to have you with us!

A big thank you to Rural Health Innovation Fund, supported by Country SA PHN, for funding our grief and loss support groups- allowing us to turn a long term vision into action 💜

09/02/2026

Congratulations to Gary Misan, Secretary Whyalla Men's Shed for being awarded 2026 Whyalla Australia Day Citizen of the Year for his contribution to the Whyalla Men's Shed and other community projects.

RHIF grant recipient the Whyalla Men's Shed is an example of a great concept that helps people in country South Australia stay occupied, learn new skills, socialise and above all improve their wellbeing.

This year participants have been working on tabletops, learning about the use of mitre saws, edging, drum sanding and more.

If you live in and around Whyalla and are looking to acquire new skills and make new friends, reach out to the Whyalla Men’s Shed and get in touch with Gary to find out more - whyallamensshed.org.au.

06/02/2026

At the Rural Health Innovation Fund we're proud to see Gather My Crew making such a meaningful impact as a RHIF Round 3 recipient!

Founded by psychologist Dr Susan Palmer, Gather My Crew, was created to help people coordinate care and support when crisis hits, because asking for help (and knowing how to help) isn’t always easy.

Dr Palmer was recently featured on ABC Radio National, sharing the story behind the free Gather My Crew app, which is rapidly gaining traction across Australia.

Here in SA, we’re already seeing strong impact through RHIF, with Denise leading local implementation across the Yorke and Northern region.

Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator Susan Brown says “this is exactly what RHIF is about, supporting community-led ideas that grow into powerful solutions for country South Australians.”

Watch the ABC interview here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094

When crisis hits, you need all the help you can get. But what if you don't know how to ask for help...or others around you want to help, but don't know where to start? Psychologist Susan Palmer saw many of her patients suffer through this challenge...whether it be cancer, a sudden illness or the los...

02/02/2026

Today marks the official opening of Round 4 of the Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF)!

If you’re a not-for-profit, charity, or community group with a bold idea to improve health and wellbeing in regional South Australia, now is your moment!

Applications open today- 2nd February and close 17 March 2026

RHIF supports innovative, community led initiatives that make a real difference where it matters most.

Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your idea into action.

Find guidelines, apply, and explore past success stories, and updates: Rural Health Innovation Fund on our website for RHIF Grants etc.

https://www.countrysaphn.com.au/rural-health-innovation-fund/

30/01/2026

The wait is nearly over. The Rural Health Innovation Fund opens on Monday 2 February 2026.

We’re excited to see ideas that support healthier, more connected regional communities.

If you’ve been thinking, sketching, or dreaming, this will be the time to apply!

WoTL initiative the Change Compass was successful in their application for RHIF grant funding and their work to improve the wellbeing of women in country SA is nothing short of inspiring!

29/01/2026

Every successful idea or concept that has been successful when applying for RHIF Grant funding started with someone who cares enough to ask “How could we improve health and wellbeing in our community?”

The Rural Health Innovation Fund opens on 2 February 2026.

We are ready to walk alongside eligible organisations, services, and community groups who have the courage and commitment to imagine change.

SYP Sounds have been a successful Grants Recipient and have gone on to inspire young country South Australians.

29/01/2026

Check out "CTRL+ALT+CREATE" this creative online initiative by Ramble Arts, one of our RHIF Grants recipients. Ramble Arts are constantly finding ways to inspire young people in country South Australia.

Excited to dive into the Betwixt universe... but not so excited about reading?

This is the event for you!

Jump into a voice-chat this Wednesday 4th of Feb at 5PM (SA time) within the Ramble Arts Online Studio, and we will explore the lore together. Cozy up, kick back, and listen to a live reading of the website: https://thelandsoftheriver.world/

This is also a perfect opportunity to ask questions, gain some Discord 101 skills, and become inspired for the term ahead!

Register for CTRL+ALT+CREATE today:
https://www.trybooking.com/DIZHA

This initiative has been made possible by grant funding from the Health Innovation Fund, supported by Country SA PHN.

26/01/2026

You don’t need to have your concept fully fleshed out to apply for our RHIF Grant 4. You need to identify a clear need in country healthcareand wellbeing, a thoughtful idea, and a willingness to try something new.

RHIF exists to support innovation in regional health, especially creative ideas that might not fit traditional models. If you’ve been sitting on an idea, this is your nudge.

Visit our website for more information:
https://www.countrysaphn.com.au/rural-health-innovation-fund/

Ramble Arts (formerly Riverland Youth Theatre) is one of our previous RHIF grant recipients and their impact on their local community has been nothing short of inspiring!

20/01/2026

Innovation in health and wellbeing doesn't have to mean high-tech or complex. Sometimes it means connecting people who've never been connected before.

As the Rural Health Innovation Fund opens soon, we're looking for ideas for improving health and wellbeing outcomes in country South Australia, that are practical, creative, and deeply grounded in community.

If there were no barriers to improving health and wellbeing outcomes, what ideas would you come up with?

The Embrace Collective program Activate is an example of a previous RHIF Grant recipient that provides inspirational mental health outcomes for community members in country SA.

16/01/2026

Big change often starts small, with one idea, one community, one moment of courage.

Across regional South Australia, people see gaps in health and wellbeing accessibility and supports every day.

They also see solutions.

The Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) is opening soon, and we are inviting ideas that reimagine health and wellbeing in ways that truly fit local communities.

What would better look like where you live?

(Pictured is a presentation run by Mentally Fit EP, part of West Coast Youth & Community Support.)

14/01/2026

Well done to Denise and the rest of the Gather My Crew team for the great work they do improving the wellbeing of people in country South Australia!

Big things are happening in small towns. And we’re right there for it.

This is Denise (far right), one of our incredible humans on the ground in the Yorke & Northern region of South Australia.

Denise spends her days doing essential work. Showing up. Listening. Connecting dots. Building trust. Turning “someone should help” into “this is how we help”.

In this photo she’s joined by Kirsten Hicks and Dana Lavenant, the brilliant team from Meals on Wheels SA promoting their Wellbeing, Independence and Social Engagement (WISE) program.
And Dave, a Meals on Wheels recipient who reminds us exactly why this work matters.

This is what rural community care really looks like.
Local people. Local knowledge. Practical support. Strong relationships.

Thanks to funding from the Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF), and support from Country SA PHN, we’re able to embed Gather My Crew in regional communities, working alongside trusted organisations like Meals on Wheels SA to strengthen social connection, reduce isolation, and make it easier for people to get the support they need, when they need it.

We’re proud to be on the ground where it matters.
And we’re only just getting started.

💛

Funded by Rural Health Innovation Fund
Supported by Country SA PHN

13/01/2026

Check out this article on the Whyalla Men's Shed program Seasoned with Sawdust, one of our RHIF Grant recipients, in Whyalla News.

The Whyalla Mens’ Shed meet regularly to socialise, make things, fix things and restore things. Seasoned with Sawdust is a program designed to help older community members develop their woodworking skills and at the same time develop connections with one another and, by extension, improve their wellbeing.