Sport
9 February, 2025
WFNL and HDFNL join forces for a community screening of 'Just A Farmer'
The film will be shown in Warracknabeal on Sunday, March 2.
The region's major football and netball leagues have banded together to support mental health.
The Wimmera and Horsham District football netball leagues have made a donation towards the community screening of the film 'Just a Farmer' that is being presented by Fitness for Farmers.
Chair of the WFNL Peter Ballagh was thrilled to support the local event.
"It's a really good initiative from both leagues and the area, [it's] something we will look to continue," Mr Ballagh said.
"I think everyone's knows somebody that's been touched with some mental health issues over the journey, and if we can all rally together and support everybody in the community."
Mr Ballagh sees days at sport as chance for the community to check-in on each other.
"Farmers are very proud people, and don't open up all that well. But at football and netball on a Saturday everyone comes together," he said.
"It's good just to get here and have a chat and just be open and honest about how you're traveling.
"It's not a something you need to shy away from anymore. It's accepted in the community, and everyone's here to help."
Director of the Hamilton-based National Centre for Farmer Health, Alison Kennedy believes poor mental health can be caused by a build up cumulative impacts.
"In the Wimmera and southwest at the moment we're absolutely seeing a lot of very dry conditions, and that's come off the back off flood events, and we're seeing bushfires," Ms Kennedy said.
"All these layer on top of each other... There are lots of different layers which contribute to mental health risks for farmers."
The key to minimise these risks according to Ms Kennedy is to ensure individuals know that there is support available.
"There is a lot of support, if people are able to tap into it, and that's sometimes the challenge," she said.
"Even if there is support out there, it's whether people are willing or able to access that."
The centre has also released a hub on its website that has support and resources specially designed and accessible for farming populations.
Ms Kennedy believes the upcoming event is a great opportunity to bring people and the community together.
"We've actually seen a lot of benefit to having good, safe, effective mental health community events," she said.
"We know the value of bringing communities together to be able to kind of share the load, but also focus on positive stories as well.
"I think having that opportunity to run community events can be really powerful for improving mental health and connection in farming communities."
The community screening of 'Just A Farmer' will be held at the Warracknabeal Town Hall at 4pm on Sunday, March 2.
Filmmaker Leila McDougall will be joined by locals for a Q&A panel following the screening.