HOGG HAILS FARMER MENTAL HEALTH HALF-CENTURY MILESTONE

Grain Producers Australia’s (GPA) National Mental Health Ambassador, Brad Hogg, has extended congratulations to farmer groups throughout Australia for reaching a unique and critically important, half-century milestone.

A total of 50 groups – including Grain Producers Australia – have now added their names to a joint statement that’s calling for Federal Government support, to improve mental health and wellbeing, and support suicide prevention, in farming communities.

The ‘Joint Statement for Government Action’ is being led by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). HERE

The 50 groups are all backing a comprehensive proposal requesting $50 million in government funding, to support evidence-based programs tailored for the agriculture industry. Programs run by respected organisations such as ifarmwell, the National Centre for Farmer Health, and many more throughout Australia.

Brad praised the half-century of farmer groups signing the NFF Joint Statement’, in a new video HERE purposefully produced to acknowledge the milestone.

“Now that’s what I call a half-century milestone and that’s what I call teamwork,” he said.

“Congratulations on this half century milestone to all groups involved in this solid team effort led by the NFF – but remember, 50 is only half-way to a century – let’s keep it going and try to reach a century.

“This investment will put runs on the board to deliver more ways to improve mental health and wellbeing, and support suicide prevention, in farming communities throughout Australia.

“And I know all about the good work that’s being done by the National Centre for Farmer Health – doing health check-ups in the regions to support our farmers – because I’ve done one of them myself, while at the Elmore Field Days in Victoria, a couple of years ago.” HERE

WA country born and raised Australian cricketing legend, Brad Hogg, from a wheat and sheep farm, is the National Ambassador of GPA’s Farmer Mates Mental Health program. HERE

Brad getting a health check with National Centre for Farmer Health at Elmore Field Days in Victoria,

This partnership allows Brad's role, as an Ambassador for Lifeline WA, to be shared with farming communities throughout Australia, helping break down stigmas and increase awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. This initiative – partnering GPA with Nufarm, Rural Aid and Lifeline – has also been supported by industry stakeholders such as, GrainGrowers and the Grains Research and Development Corporation, and community groups.

Brad also spoke about the important role he now plays as GPA’s National Ambassador, at a grains industry showcase event held in November last year, at Parliament House in Canberra, co-costed by GPA and the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers – and also attended by grains industry groups. HERE.

He also engaged with members of Federal Parliament, speaking at other events with GPA, about the importance of farmer mental health and suicide prevention in regional communities, and the need for more urgent action.

GPA Chair, Barry Large, also acknowledged the milestone, with 50-groups now backing the joint statement led by the NFF, calling for the $50 million investment that’s also included in GPA’s 2025 Election Policy Priorities. HERE

* GPA calls for the next Federal Government to make an immediate investment of $50 million over five years for mental health and wellbeing support, which includes the ifarmwell National Proposal and another from the National Centre for Farmer Health initiatives – as supported by a joint-statement.

“Mental health is one of these extremely important issues which should always be above politics because it’s all about serving the greater good – and that’s why GPA has been working with our partners in this important initiative with Brad Hogg and Nufarm, to help make a difference in our communities,” Mr Large said.

“People are at the centre of everything we do in the Australian grains industry. That’s why it’s a smart investment to back our farmers and our industry; especially priority areas such as this $50 million investment over five years, to provide much needed mental health and wellbeing support.”

ENDS