HOGG HEADLINES PINGRUP

Grain Producers Australia‘s Farmer Mates Metal Health Initiative is headed to Pingrup in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, for a special community event on Saturday 19 July. 

FMMH National Ambassador, Brad Hogg, will warm-up for his extended national tour, visiting field days and other opportunities in coming months, with a joint event at the Pingrup Shear Shed. 

This free community gathering will be shared with the WA Grains Group, the local Lions Club and GPA’s FMMH partners – including Nufarm – bringing locals together to discuss mental health against the backdrop of varied seasonal conditions. 

• Who: Checked in @ Hype – featuring Farmer Mates Mental Health National Ambassador Brad Hogg and DJ Bandits 

• What: Free BBQ/sausage sizzle and music event 

• Where: Shear Shed, Sanderson Street, Pingrup, WA 

• When: from 5.30pm - Saturday 19 July 2025. 

• Why: Local community gathering – focus on seasonal conditions, mental health and wellbeing 

Another added feature of the event will be the location, given it’s the local community, in the heart of WA’s prosperous agricultural landscape, where Brad was born and raised, on a sheep and wheat farm. 

“Every country community is special and visiting different places throughout Australia, to meet people and share common messages about the importance to mental health and wellbeing, is one of the great things about being GPA’s National Ambassador,” he said. 

“This one in Pingrup will be even closer to my heart and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with good friends, new and old, and hearing how everyone’s season is tracking and of course important conversations about mental health.” 

As part of this year’s FMMH program, GPA has also released a new podcast series, aimed at extending 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 Mates Mental Health Toolbox 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. HERE 

Brad has also developed and released a new program, to pass on his experiences and advice, with the B.O.W.L. Method. 

“Because life will throw some serious bouncers.” 

B – BALANCE  

O – OBSERVE  

W – WEAPONISE  

L – LEARN 

The DJ Bandits – Paul and Steph Hicks (father and daughter), and friend Tony Ryan – will provide entertainment on the night and are the ones who’ve initiated and motivated the event 

The trio of locals share a passion for music and have a personal connection to supporting mental health in their community. 

“Checked In @ Hype is about creating the kind of environment where checking in with a mate feels natural, not forced,” Paul Hicks said. 

“It’s a chance to come together, catch up, have some laughs and enjoy a night with good people.” 

“We’ve both lost friends over the years, and that stays with you,” Tony Ryan said 

 “But this event isn’t about putting mental health under a spotlight. It’s about keeping it in the mix, where it belongs, as part of normal community life.” 

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. 

In this year’s FMMH program, Brad is also scheduled to speak at the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia’s Annual Conference, in Melbourne on July 24 and will be at the Bringing Dowerin downtown Lunch 2025 in Perth on July 25. 

During 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 – and Interviews: 

GPA Executive Officer Communications Rachael Oxborrow: 0416 705 193