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Tackling The Tough Topics
Publish date: 7 February 2025
Buloke Shire Council is committed to supporting mental health in our rural and farming communities.
Its Community Recovery team, along with Birchip Cropping Group and Donald Scouts, is featured in a new national resource from the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH).
The guide Tackling the Tough Topics: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Mental Health & Wellbeing Events in Farming Communities showcases proactive approaches to fostering community wellbeing.
Buloke Mayor Cr Alan Getley welcomed the new guide as an important tool for rural communities, emphasising Buloke’s advocacy in community-driven recovery and mental health support.
“Our communities have demonstrated incredible resilience in the face of challenges, from natural disasters to economic pressures,” he said.
“This guide acknowledges and strengthens the work already happening in Buloke and across rural Australia.
Across Australia and internationally, there is growing recognition of the importance of supporting farmer mental health.
Communities are developing initiatives and hosting events that foster open discussions, reduce stigma, and provide pathways to support, often featuring guest speakers, panel discussions, and lived-experience stories.
However, successful mental health and wellbeing events must go beyond messaging—they need to connect with farming communities in ways that align with their values and daily realities. Events that are practical, relatable, and engaging are the most effective.
A great example of these approaches included the Just A Farmer movie event at Charlton and recently supported appearances of Warren Davies - The Unbreakable Farmer, at events across Buloke, which coincided with The Paddock Run, a harvest wellbeing initiative conducted at the end of last year.
What’s Inside the Guide?
✔ 14 Key Planning Questions – A structured approach to event organisation
✔ Practical Templates – Tools for smooth event delivery and successful outcomes
✔ Case Studies & Best Practices – Insights from real rural community events, including those in Buloke
✔ Speaker Preparation & Support – Ensuring guest speakers align with local needs and sensitivities
“This guide ensures local leaders, farmers, and support networks have a reference to give them confidence to deliver impactful events that protect and promote mental wellbeing in psychologically and emotionally safe ways,” added the Mayor.
Community members can download the resource from NCFH’s website, however once printed copies are available, Council will be seeking to distribute some in the community.
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