HOGG JOINS PINGRUP COMMUNITY FOR POWERFUL MENTAL HEALTH GATHERING

The Pingrup community recently came together for an evening focused on mental health, connection and community spirit.

Hosted by the Lions Club of Pingrup and WA Grains Group, the event welcomed locals to the Pingrup Shear Shed for live music, a community barbecue and open, honest conversations.

Grain Producers Australia, through the Farmer Mates Mental Health Initiative, was proud to support the event, with National Ambassador Brad Hogg sharing his personal experiences and encouraging discussion about mental wellbeing in rural communities.

“Pingrup was a fantastic event emphasising family and community as a whole,” Brad said.

“As farms get bigger, technology improves and communities decrease due to changing landscapes, it is still imperative to keep that inner connection strong.

"That is why groups like the Lions Club of Pingrup are vital.

“The event went into the early hours, with the last mallee root losing its flame at around quarter past the hour. There was plenty of solid connection throughout the night. It was a privilege to be invited.”

Event organiser Paul Hicks said the impact of the evening was felt widely.

“The real take-home message was about supporting the people around us and keeping in contact,” he said.

“Brad spoke with several people and took the time to really connect. He went above and beyond what we expected and made a genuine impression on everyone he spoke to.”

The Farmer Mates Mental Health Initiative supports local, community-led efforts like this one by helping raise awareness and encourage conversations that make mental health a shared priority.

The Farmer Mates Mental Health Initiative is supported by Nufarm, Rural Aid, Lifeline WA and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.