Back again: Stanhope police Leading Constable Frank Scopelliti with Marg McKay from Rural Aid at the second annual Farmers Day. The event attracted double the amount of representation from rural service organisations and had a similarly enhanced response from the public.
If this year’s response to the second annual Stanhope-Girgarre Farmers Day event is any indication the organisers may be looking for a bigger venue in 2024.
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Girgarre Community Cottage co-ordinator Kezia Talbot played a lead in organising the event, working in tandem with Stanhope police Leading Constable Frank Scopelliti, with the backing of the National Centre for Farmer Health.
The event this year attracted rural financial experts from Agbiz Assist and Rural Aid while maintaining a strong police representation and again involving a presentation from Worksafe.
Also at this year’s event were the two recently-appointed flood recovery officers for Campaspe Shire Council, Larna Tarrant and Liz Wells, who explained the new services that would be offered on a mobile basis to residents of the shire.
She said knowing what services were available to Campaspe Shire residents was important, whether that be to help a friend, a neighbour or family.
Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davies was the keynote speaker at the end of the day.
The event attracted about double the amount of people that it did in its inaugural year.
“This year’s theme is farmers in general, their mental and physical health and we have expanded it a bit to offer free health checks during the day,” Ms Talbot said.
Primary Care Connect nurse and former Stanhope resident Brad Allott offered the free health checks.
Ms Talbot said Mr Davies (The Unbreakable Farmer) was someone people from the area could all relate to — being a Kyabram person.
She said the group was hoping to continue building the event on the back of this year’s growth.
Rural Aid was new to the event, as was Agbiz.
Rural Aid, while based in Queensland, used to be known as Buy-a-Bale and was represented at the event by Marg McKay from Yarrawonga.
“People can register, as long as they are primary producers,’’ she said.
“We have only gone national in the last two years, after the bushfires of 2021.
“We are attempting to let people know we are out there.
“A lot of people are aware through the work we have done at Rochester and Lockington.
“Farmers were initially forgotten in the flood relief program, but many if them were not ready to accept the help.
“They are in a better place now.’’
Mrs McKay said there were 250 farmers on Rural Aid’s books in Campaspe Shire, who had benefitted with either product, well-being or financial support.
“We initially offered $500, which has just been put up to $1500,” she said.
“People can apply for support and it can be used for anything, from paying a bill to getting away for a break.’’
Agbiz Assist farmer well-being flood recovery officer Susie Jacobs said she had been dealing with farmers from Rochester, Nathalia and Barmah.
“There are not enough loud voices out there saying we need help, so hopefully today will encourage people to reach out,” she said.
Mr Allott is running a series of agri-clinics through the region and will be based at Cooma every third Tuesday of the month.
The service is open to anyone and individual appointments could be made by contacting him on 0417 806 848.
Among the various health assessments that could be made is chemical exposure testing.
For the past five years, the tests have been available to farmers and the Cooma site has been added to Tatura, Euroa, Shepparton and Numurkah.
Financial assistance: Agbiz Assist’s Susie Jacobs speaks with farmers Cindy and Shane Attwell at the day.
Flood recovery: Campaspe Shire flood recovery officer Larna Tarrant with Girgarre Community Cottage co-ordinator Kezia Talbot and fellow flood recovery officer Liz Wells. It was the first public appearance of the new officers.
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