An ANZ customer for 10 years, Brian has appreciated the bank’s support through those times. “During the algae bloom in 2010 I went to ANZ and pleaded relief. We did not know when things would pick up. I am grateful for ANZ sticking with us through that time”.

Fast forward to 2019 and Brian’s business is once again facing difficulties, this time as a result of the drought impacting much of Australia.

“Oyster farming needs fresh water,” says Brian. “Famine on the land means famine in the sea. The oysters have poor growth, it’s difficult to maintain their condition and they’re harder to sell.”

Last year in response to the drought ANZ donated $500,000 to the Financial Counselling Foundation for use by rural counselling agencies working in drought affected communities.

Brian recently found himself seeking the assistance of one of those agencies, reaching out to the Rural Financial Counselling Services (Southern NSW). The service, which is free, supports rural businesses through ongoing drought, poor production or anything else affecting their business and their life.

“When you’re doing it tough it’s all too hard, and the state you are in does not always lead to rational decisions,” says Brian. “The financial counsellor looks at you as a person, as well as a business.”

Brian looks forward to building up the business again, but he doubts things will ever be as good as they were in 1985. “This business is mostly about loving the lifestyle. People who want to be on the water and love working outdoors in Australia’s oldest aquaculture industry.”

Image: Brian Coxon