GPA 2025 MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM LAUNCH: CONVERSATIONS THAT COUNT

Grain Producers Australia ‘s Farmer Mates Metal Health Initiative will relaunch with a revitalised program for 2025 and an exciting initiative, a new eight-episode podcast series revealed. 

The new podcast series, titled the Mates Mental Health Toolbox, has today been officially launched, along with the dates and details of this year’s event schedule. 

Main 2025 Program Events – featuring FMMH National Ambassador, Brad Hogg. 

• Dowerin Machinery Field Days (WA) – 27–28 August 

• Yorke Peninsula Field Days (SA) – 30 Sept–2 Oct 

• Elmore Field Days (VIC) – 7–9 October 

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Brad Hogg is also scheduled to speak at two other events, so far in this year’s FMMH program. 

• Australian Summer Grains Conference: Gold Coast, 9th July 

• Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia Annual Conference: Melbourne, 24th July 

  
  

The podcast series, produced by GPA, is based on feedback gathered during last year’s FMMH program – at field days and other community forums – about the need to extend these important conversations, to increase mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and to reduce stigmas. 

Hosted by psychology student Emily Sullivan, who hails from a grain and cotton producing upbringing in rural Queensland, the series brings together farmers, mental health professionals, advocates and rural leaders — with each interview and conversation unpacking different tools related to mental health support resources and connections. 

Episode one of eight also features Brad Hogg sharing a conversation with Emily. HERE 

As part of the 2025 program launch – with details about the Mates Mental Health Toolbox – Brad also features in a new podcast hosted by Episode3. HERE 

GPA Chair, Barry Large, said this year’s FMMH program was again proudly supported by Nufarm Australia and other partners, and is taking another step forward, to support mental health. 

“GPA is especially grateful for Nufarm’s strong support, and from the GRDC and other partners, including to help produce this new podcast series that’s also being launched today,” he said. 

“It provides easy listening on a tough subject, but these are conversations we all need to have. 

“Sitting in your machinery cab at seeding time, or in the car on a trip into town or somewhere else, is an ideal time to switch on and listen to a podcast and share these worthwhile conversations. 

“This is another example of this important initiative working alongside Brad, Nufarm and other partners, to help make a difference and share very important conversations with our mates.” 

GPA Chief Executive, Colin Bettles, said other industry groups and stakeholders were also welcome to reach out and partner with GPA, to co-host events with Brad, as part of this year’s program.  

“Sharing these events provides great opportunities to demonstrate real leadership, and be proactive in your community, on this vitally important issue of mental health and suicide prevention,” he said. 

Mr Large said GPA would also be reaching out proactively to co-host more events in 2025, given many farming communities – especially in South Australia – were facing dry conditions. 

He said if individual producers couldn’t make such an event, the new podcast series provided another option and resource that’s at everyone’s fingertips, to learn more about mental health. 

“This initiative provides farmers and rural communities with tools they can use, in a language they can access, to help support each other through tough challenges, such as drought,” he said. 

“It’s about looking out for yourself and looking out your mates and knowing how to take that first step in sharing that first conversation. I urge everyone to switch on and take a listen.” 

Mr Hogg said the FMMH program’s strength was in its simplicity and honesty, in creating real and relatable conversations, to help build reliance and wellbeing, for farmers and their communities.  

He said the podcast series was an extension of this pragmatic approach – along with the opportunity to also share a few light-hearted moments, at the expense of his cricketing exploits and deeds. 

“Mental health is something we need to be talking about more and doing what we can to help make a difference; whether it’s in person or through online communities and podcasts,” he said. 

“GPA’s new podcast series builds on this program’s values, and the events we co-host, by sharing pragmatic ideas that people can put into practice; whether it’s checking in with your neighbours or being there for someone else, especially for family or friends who may be having a tough time.” 

GPA’s FMMH program is proudly supported by Nufarm Australia, along with Lifeline Australia, Rural Aid, and other partners such as the GRDC. Other agribusiness professionals are also encouraged to step up and step in, to do what they can, to help make a difference. 

The Moora Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a post-seeding sundowner event with GPA last year, which was another example of the program in action, with Brad attending and giving local community members an opportunity to support each other during a challenging dry period. 

Brad also attended one of the Westpac Regional Series events, held in Busselton last November. 

In 2023, about 20 different community events were held across the nation and another 30 events in 2024. These events, shared with GPA’s State Members, and other partners – include professional support provided by Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. 

Nufarm Commercial General Manager, Peter O’Keeffe, said they were proud to be supporting this important initiative again in 2025, to help make a difference for farmers and their communities. 

“We’ve seen this program grow from a handful of events held in 2022, to 50 events over the past two years and more scheduled in 2025 with room to grow and do more,” he said. 

“Other partners joining this program will help increase outcomes and this new podcast series shows how professional resources are being shared by GPA and others, alongside events, to increase knowledge and awareness in farming communities, about the importance of mental health.” 

Mr Bettles said Dan Repacholi MP’s recent post-election appointment as the Special Envoy for Men’s Health was warmly welcomed, given it also aligned with the intent of GPA’s FMMH partnership program, and helping to make a difference in farming communities. 

“We’d love to see Dan and Brad at the same event sometime this year, sharing these important conversations and proactive communications about farmer wellbeing,” he said. 

“This event could also potentially include a combined display of their natural sporting talents.” 

In the 2025 Election Priorities and election campaign, GPA also strongly supported the ‘Joint Statement for Government Action’ – as led by the National Farmers’ Federation – backing a comprehensive proposal requesting $50 million in government funding, to support evidence-based programs tailored for the agriculture industry. 

These programs are being run by respected organisations such as ifarmwell, the National Centre for Farmer Health, and many more throughout Australia. 

RESCOURCES 

• All episodes of The Mates Mental Health Toolbox are now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at www.grainproduucers.com.au/matespodcast  

• Learn more about the program - www.grainproducers.com.au  

• Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team HERE  

• GPA’s Farmer Mates Mental Health initiative resources guide 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 

ENDS 

Further Information: 

GPA Executive Officer Communications Rachael Oxborrow: 0416 705 193 

GPA Chair Barry Large: 0427 549 023 

Nufarm Communications Manager Amelia Elliston: 0476 658 158