Cricketing legend Brad Hogg will be highlighting the vital importance of farmers taking a break from the farm, to stay mentally and physically fit, fresh and healthy, when he visits the Yorke Peninsula Field Days at Paskeville, in South Australia next week.
Brad’s trip to South Australia will be highlighted by his talk at a lunch time event, from 12pm on the opening day, Tuesday 26 September – in the Grain Producers South Australia tent (Cunliffe Road).
Brad is National Ambassador of Grain Producers Australia’s Farmer Mates Mental Health initiative which partners GPA – and State Members such as GPSA – with Nufarm, Rural Aid, Lifeline and GrainGrowers, to help make a difference.
Born and raised on a wheat and sheep farm in WA, Brad is passionate about raising greater awareness of mental health and suicide prevention: especially in rural communities.
He will also support a number of other events during the Yorke Peninsula Field Days including:
· T-Ports Grain Hub “Fat Farmers” breakfast 9am, Wednesday (Site 836, Alford Road)
· YP Ag 20-year Anniversary Lunch 12-2pm, Wednesday (Site 947, Alford Road)
· Visting the GrainGrowers’ stand in Oster Pavilion (marked ‘E’ on site map)
GPSA Chair, John Gladigau said GPSA is pleased to be hosting the former Australian cricketer who has a very important message for grain producers and community members.
“GPSA hosted Brad Hogg at our tent at the Eyre Peninsula Field Days last year, which was well received, and we look forward to hosting him again at the Yorke Peninsula,” he said.
“Mental health and wellbeing is an extremely important topic for grain producers and something that we need to continue to discuss in a public setting.”
GPA Chair and WA grain producer, Barry Large, said Brad’s attendance at field day events shared with GPA’s State Members throughout Australia, along with professional support provided by members of Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, was having a genuine impact.
“The theme of this year’s program is all about encouraging farmers and anyone involved in the farming business to remember we all need to plan to get away and take a break,” he said.
“GPA is taking this message very seriously because we understand the genuine benefits it brings.”
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said she was pleased to see the wider industry get behind the initiative.
“Mental health and wellbeing is part of a crucial discussion, and our staff will also be at the Yorke Peninsula Field Days, so feel free to drop by and start the conversation,” she said.
Mr Large said to show how important the ‘Take-a-break’ theme is to this year’s program, GPA is also running a new competition with up to $5000 in travel prizes.
“This competition and the prizes we’re offering will provide some inspirational thinking about where to go and some extra motivation for grain producers, to take a break,” he said.
“We want this competition to encourage everyone to start thinking and planning for their next break away from the farm, be it a short getaway or a longer one, and what they’d love to do.”
Enter GPA Holiday Getaway HERE
Competition details
In 25 words or less, tell us about your ideal holiday or destination away from the farm. Competition is open to permanent residents of Australia aged 18 years and over, who are actively producing grain crops and/or working in a grain producing enterprise. Entries close 28 January 2024.
Other Field Day Events to be attended by Brad, in 2023.
• Elmore Field Days, Elmore, Vic, October 3-5
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
· Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team HERE
· GPA’s Farmer Mates Mental Health initiative HERE
· Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service is available on 13 11 14
· Mental Health and Wellbeing Team intake line 1300 17 55 94 - Head Office 1300 327 624
· Ducks on the Pond Podcast ‘Convincing your partner (or yourself!) to go on a holiday’ HERE
· Brad Hogg Video Message HERE
· GrainGrowers Farm Safety and Grower Wellbeing Information
ENDS
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