Premiership-winning forward Corey Jensen has spent his professional rugby league career earning a reputation for toughness, consistency and quiet determination on the field.
Now, the proud Queenslander is bringing those same qualities to a new role off it, becoming the latest ambassador for rural charity Rural Aid.
The organisation has announced Jensen as its newest ambassador, strengthening its connection with regional Australia and the farming communities it supports.
For Jensen, the role is deeply personal.
Raised in the North Queensland town of Bowen, agriculture has always been part of his life. His father has farmed tomatoes in the region for decades, while his wife comes from a grazing family and works as a veterinarian travelling to remote cattle properties.
Those experiences have given Jensen a clear understanding of the pressures facing farming families.
“I think for me, it’s all sort of for my upbringing,” Jensen said.
“My dad’s a tomato farmer back in Bowen, has been a farmer his whole life. Also, my wife’s from a grazing family, having grown up on a cattle property. And I guess for me, I’ve seen first hand how hard things can be on the property.
“Uncontrollable weather events can have a huge impact on farmers’ livelihood and they don’t tend to complain about things but they obviously do it very tough in those sorts of circumstances.
“It’s just showing farmers that Rural Aid is there to help, if needed.”
Since making his top-grade debut in 2017, Jensen has built a respected career in the National Rugby League, earning recognition for his work ethic and resilience.
Last season he reached the pinnacle of the sport, playing a key role in a premiership-winning side.
Off the field, he hopes his new role will help bring attention to the realities facing rural Australia.
John Warlters, chief executive officer of Rural Aid, said Jensen’s appointment comes at an important time for farming communities across the country.
“Corey represents the values we see every day in the bush – hard work, humility and strength,” Mr Warlters said.
“Having someone of Corey’s profile join the Rural Aid family helps us shine a national spotlight on the very real challenges facing farmers and rural communities, from natural disasters and financial stress to mental health pressures.
“Importantly, Corey understands these challenges because he has lived them through his family and his upbringing in a regional town like Bowen.
“His voice will help bridge the gap between the city and the country.”
As an ambassador, Jensen will help raise awareness of Rural Aid’s work, which includes providing financial assistance, mental health counselling, water and hay deliveries and ongoing support before, during and after natural disasters.
For Jensen, a major part of the role will be simply spreading the message that help is available.
“For me, it’s just spreading the word and also trying to get out to properties and places where I can sort of spread the awareness around Rural Aid and also the benefits they can have to the properties,” he said.
“Farmers are people that don’t tend to complain or show any sort of signs that they’re struggling. They just get about their business and go about their work from day-to-day. And they’re a really resilient bunch.”
That resilience, however, can sometimes make it harder for farmers to reach out when times become tough.
Jensen said the key message he hoped to share is that support was always available.
“It’s just to show that there is help out there,” he said.
“I know that people might not want the help or might not think they need help, but it’s the awareness that the help is there and for them to reach out and seek help if need be.”
The importance of that message was reinforced for Jensen when he reviewed the findings from Rural Aid’s latest Pulse of the Paddock survey.
“I think for me, it’s just the sustained pressure that the people on the farm really face,” he said.
“It affects their family relationships, mental health and the ongoing pressures on the property.”
One statistic in particular stood out to him.
“About 94 per cent of farmers who associated with Rural Aid found a positive outcome,” he said.
“Not just from the resources that are available, but having the knowledge that those resources were available.
“They didn’t always need the help, but having the knowledge that it was there really helped their mental wellbeing.”
With agriculture underpinning so much of Australia’s economy and food security, Jensen believes supporting farmers is something every Australian can play a role in.
“The farming industry is a huge industry, not just cattle but right across agriculture,” he said.
“And for people thinking about donating to Rural Aid, I’d just encourage them to go and donate.
“All donations will definitely help and it shows people that you care.”
While he is used to putting his body on the line on the rugby league field, Jensen says this new role is about standing alongside a different kind of team – the farming families who quietly keep Australia fed.
And, if his message can help even one farmer pick up the phone and ask for support, he believes it will be worth it.
“Just know that the support is out there,” he said.
“Don’t be shy to ask, because sometimes we’re only a phone call away from helping people get back on their feet.”
