How they can help you
Business Victoria’s Business Recovery Advisers can act as a concierge service, helping you to navigate available support services. They can also provide guidance to help your business with longer-term recovery.
Experienced business recovery advisers will help you to:
- understand the different supports available to you from the Australian and Victorian Governments and through your local council
- manage issues with your insurance provider or landlord
- access support services including local crisis support services and mental health support
- plan your recovery including business continuity and contingency planning.
How to access this service
- To access a Business Recovery Adviser, complete the registration form
- If you need assistance with completing the registration form, please call the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm).
- If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 or visit tisnational.gov.au.
The service is being provided by the following organisations who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience across industries, business operations and crisis recovery.
- Community Business Connect (North East Victoria)
- Finwell Support (Western Victoria)
- NEX Business Farming Wellness (Eastern Victoria)
Jan Barned
Jan, CPA, brings over 30 years of expertise in supporting small businesses across a range of industries and programs. Her extensive experience in disaster recovery includes assisting businesses affected by the 2009 and 2016 bushfires, as well as serving as the Lead Business Advisor for the Bushfire Business Recovery Service during 2020/21.
In addition to her work in disaster recovery, Jan has contributed as a Business Advisor for Indigenous Business Australia and Brotherhood of St Laurence's multi-cultural business programs. She is also the award-winning author of the CPA Disaster Recovery Toolkit.
Jan's specialised focus and dedication make her an invaluable resource for small business owners seeking expert advice and recovery solutions.
Warwick Philpott
Warwick brings a wealth of experience in business advisory. For over a decade, he has provided expert agricultural advisory services through the Rural Financial Counselling Service, supporting farmers and rural businesses to navigate financial and operational challenges.
Following the 2020 bushfires, Warwick served as the Business Recovery Advisor for the Bright Bushfire Recovery Hub, offering vital guidance to businesses during a time of crisis.
With qualifications in business, finance, property, and agricultural economics, Warwick’s expertise is further recognised through his status as a Fellow of both the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and the Australian Property Institute. His commitment to supporting resilience and growth makes him a trusted advisor in times of need.
Melissa Antony:
Melissa is part of the Community Business Connect initiative, where she provides tailored support to small businesses across regional Victoria. Through mentoring, strategic guidance, and practical recovery assistance, she empowers business operators to overcome challenges and thrive in their local communities.
With expertise in digital engagement, communications, and business resilience, Melissa helps businesses adapt to change, optimise their operations, and build confidence for sustainable growth. Her focus on strengthening connections within local communities ensures long-term success for the businesses she works with.
Maggie Bridgewater
Maggie is a Wellbeing Counsellor supporting communities in the Little Desert region. She grew up on a farm near Dimboola and has lived through droughts, floods, and bushfires, giving her a strong understanding of rural life. With experience working on dairy farms in Australia and the UK, she combines practical knowledge with genuine care. Maggie has supported people with a range of issues, including mental health, family violence, disaster recovery, and succession planning.
Patrick White
Patrick has been helping Wimmera farmers find financial clarity for nearly 20 years. Based in Horsham, he is a long-serving financial counsellor with extensive experience in law and accounting. Patrick grew up in the Wimmera, studied in Geelong, and returned to the region in 2002. He previously worked in a small practice in Murtoa before moving into advisory work in 2005. Patrick helps clients understand their financial situation and explore options that support their future.
Mal Rowe
Since 2017, Mal has supported clients with practical advice built on more than 30 years of experience in agriculture, land, and water management. His background includes work in Landcare, local government, and farmer engagement, helping people set clear goals and navigate challenging situations. Mal combines technical knowledge with a thoughtful approach and has a strong interest in renewable energy and rural sustainability.
Leeanne Summers
Leeanne is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience helping businesses in both private practice and government. She has a strong understanding of finances, business structures, and compliance. Leeanne supports small business owners to make informed decisions, meet their obligations, and create simple, realistic plans. She’s committed to helping rural businesses improve their financial position and build long-term stability.
Marshall Scott
Marshall is an experienced Financial Counsellor who has supported rural communities for over 20 years in various roles of Senior Financial Counsellor, Project Manager, Team Leader and more recently, Counselling Coordinator. With a strong professional background in banking, insurance, and corporate recovery, he brings deep financial insight paired with practical agricultural knowledge. Marshall specialises in succession planning and helping clients navigate financial stress, change, and developing long-term strategies. Passionate about building rural resilience, he delivers tailored, practical advice with a calm and compassionate approach.
Marshall is dedicated to helping farming families gain clarity and direction during uncertain times, fostering hope and sustainable futures.
Allison Dodd
Allison brings over 20 years’ experience across sport, health, education, and manufacturing, with a foundation in paediatric nursing. Her unique blend of empathy, leadership, and strategic thinking supports her specialisation in business transformation and stakeholder engagement. At NEX, Allison focuses on building strong community relationships and fostering success. With deep family roots in East Gippsland farming, she understands the challenges of rural life firsthand.
Allison thrives on connecting people and ideas, helping individuals and teams grow through trust, creativity, and collaboration, empowering communities to overcome challenges and thrive.
This program is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Victorian bushfires which commenced on 7 January 2026 (AGRN 1242).
More information
For further assistance please contact Business Victoria.
See Small Business Financial Counselling service for information on support and advice on managing financial issues.