Tomorrow, Thursday, November 21, Benambra will host a powerful event for the communities of the High Country region.
The Just a Farmer Community Event, starting at 5.30pm, aims to enable authentic conversations around mental health and the challenges faced in rural areas while connecting residents from across the region.
Organisers hope to introduce available support services in an informal setting while enjoying dinner and an outdoor movie on the big screen at the old footy oval.
With the support of the East Gippsland Shire Council and the Swifts Creek Future Project, the event will showcase the Just a Farmer movie; a compelling drama by VAM Paddock Productions that portrays the impact of suicide on rural Australian families. The screening will be complemented by lead actress and producer Leila McDougall’s appearance as part of a post movie panel discussion.
Generous sponsorship and support from local businesses, local government and community organisations have made it possible to provide dinner, milkshakes and popcorn for attendees of this free event.
Carlee Harvey who put co-coordinator Sharna Johnson in touch with Leila says that “free food is a must” for getting people to come along to events such as this.
Carlee who partners with TIACS and Dolly’s Dream will also be speaking about her lived experiences of mental illness and options for those wanting support.
After watching and being deeply moved by the film, Sharna, who was and still is supporting a friend through her partner’s suicide, reached out to her region’s local mental health service providers Donna Hall (Mind Australia) and Louise Oswald (Royal Flying Doctors Service) with a desire to deliver its messages to their local community members; preferably outside with a campfire burning.
On August 8, 2024, Donna, Louise and Sharna met at the Omeo Hub, where Donna is based most Wednesdays, and put in place a plan to deepen the mental health discussions being had across the High Country; an already incredibly resilient region who over the years have regularly managed bushfire threats, drought, power and communication tower outages, road blockages and general disruption of services.
Drawing on available resources and networks, as resilient people do, the three advocates for mental health recruited Emma Halafihi (East Gippsland Shire Council place facilitator) and Trudy Anderson (Benambra Neighbourhood House manager) to help bring this meaningful event to life.
Just a Farmer Community Event Highlights
– Outdoor movie screening: The focal point of the evening, offering in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.
– Separate youth activities: VR headsets/chill out zone and a Wacky Wombats workshop for younger children.
– Catering: Residents will be treated to dinner by Guiltfree Gourmet, Gippsland Jersey Milkshakes (limit of one per person) and popcorn thanks to the events sponsors. The local CWA branch will also be fundraising on the night with fairy floss and other tasty treats for sale.
– Guest speakers: Leila McDougall (as seen on ABC’s Australian Story), Carlee Harvey (TIACS, Dolly’s Dream), Chris Jehu (Agribusiness consultant) and others.
Recognising the geographic diversity of the region, a bus service from Ensay will be provided. Bookings can be made via Eventbrite. Organisers also hope to welcome Omeo Region community members who reside in surrounding areas outside of the shire such as Dinner Plain and Nariel.
This event offers an opportunity to connect, engage and support one another in a relaxed environment. BYO water bottle and picnic rug or camp chair. For more information please search for the Just a Farmer Community Event hosted by Benambra Neighbourhood House and Four Peaks Pastoral on Facebook.
