The focus has been shifted to focus on the mental health and wellbeing of our region’s farmers, who go above and beyond to supply invaluable resources.
To help with supporting these individuals, families and communities, Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal, or FRRR, has released the ‘In a Good Place’ program which offers grants of up to $20,000 for community led projects that support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers, farming communities and people living in remote, rural and regional places.
These grants are designed to ease the financial burden of implementing initiatives that improve mental health education, build community connections to foster wellbeing and assist local non-clinical services run by community groups and not-for-profit organisations, allowing locals to know they don’t need to go it alone.
South Burnett local Alan Broome, BIEDO Extensions Officer, is one such individual who has used these grants.
In 2024 BIEDO was awarded an ’In a Good Place’ grant in 2024, which allowed them to promote mental health and wellbeing with local services.
“Receiving the FRRR ’In a Good Place Grant’ was the incentive to organise the support which has been able to be continued to some degree with the support of the Mayor and Councillors of South Burnett Regional Council.“
It has allowed Alan to have direct engagement with farmers at cattle sales, getting to know the people behind the local farming industry.
“The initiative has gone well with the BIEDO stand almost a fixture at fortnightly cattle sales at Murgon and monthly Coolabunia sales resulting in good acceptance from both the agents and producers,“ Alan said. “It is very much about providing support for primary producers through a mix of industry and health information at venues they normally attend and are at home at.“
The BIEDO stand that Alan manages carries a mixture of information surrounding practical weed and pasture management, along with brochures and publications on managing stress and mental health issues.“
Alan said this “ is often the catalyst for in depth conversations.“
“Being present on the stand and in the lane-ways during the sale allows for casual conversations in what is a comfortable environment for many. The presence also enables me to check how people are faring and follow up on concerns from agents or neighbours,“ he said.
Since beginning, Alan has noticed that there is a wider acceptance and recognition from those attending the cattle sales.
Cattle sales are the chosen location because in the South Burnett, livestock is the largest primary production industry. “The attention on saleyards offered the opportunity to reach the most number of producers.“
Head of Granting at FRRR, Jill Karena, said that residing in the country on a remote property can make it tough for residents to raise their hand and ask for help when they’re experiencing a bad place mentally.
“There are so many great things about living life on the land, but limited access to information, resources and services, as well as the geographical isolation, can make it particularly difficult to look after your mental health,” Ms Karena said. “This is one of the reasons why community groups are so important to the vitality of remote, rural and regional Australia. Because they are on the ground in these communities and out talking to farmers, running wellbeing programs and filling the gaps in mental health services.”
It is a community concern, mental health, and this funding allows not-for-profits to provide locals with resources and opportunities to connect, develop skills, increase understanding and hopefully reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
The grants can be used to create safe spaces for locals to have honest conversations and to be heard.
Due to FRRR donor partners, there are two streams of funding available for community groups and not-for-profits to apply for.
Community wellbeing: for projects that focus on strengthening the general mental health and wellbeing of people in remote, rural and regional communities.
Farmers and farming communities: for projects specifically supporting the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and the communities they live in.
Previous grants have seen funding for volunteer training in mental health first aid, community events that encourage locals to connect and feel less isolated.
It has allowed groups to invite a guest speaker to share their experiences in their mental health journey along with personal wellbeing strategies with the community, and setting up accessible safe spaces for locals to talk about their own mental health concerns with trained peer volunteers.
“Together with our funding partners, we look forward to being inspired by the project ideas put forward by NFPs and community groups who are out on the ground, proactively supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their local community,” Ms Karena said.
