Fiona Baker, Mirboo North - February // 2025 Mental Health Calendar

In Memory of Bruce Manintveld: A Story of Love, Loss, and Resilience

February is a bittersweet month for the Gippsland community, as it marks the memory of Bruce Manintveld, a dedicated dairy farmer from Mirboo North who tragically lost his life in the violent storms of February 2024. On that fateful day, Bruce was racing against the weather to bring his beloved Jersey cows into the milking shed, unaware of the size of the storm about to hit, when a large section of shed roof, torn loose by the storm, struck him fatally. His wife, Fiona, found him and performed CPR for roughly 25 minutes until help arrived, but the coroner’s report confirmed that Bruce had passed instantly from the impact. 

Bruce was known as a “ripping bloke” and a farmer at the top of his game. He loved his cows, his work, and the land, and he was respected by everyone who knew him. Friends and family describe him as generous and deeply committed to his craft— he was born to dairy farm despite his Type 1 Diabetes and the challenges he navigated living with that illness. Bruce and Fiona had built their dairy operation together, sharing a passion for the industry and a life shaped by hard work and love.  

In the aftermath of Bruce’s passing, Fiona faced the daunting reality of continuing alone. Recognising that farming had always been their shared journey, she quickly made the heart-wrenching decision to leave the farm, knowing she couldn’t bear to stay without him. After all, dairy farming had been Bruce’s dream, and without him, it didn’t feel the same. She moved to Leongatha, closer to community support, where she wouldn’t have to face the isolation of the farm. In those early, devastating days, neighbours and friends stepped in—helping milk the cows, caring for the herd, and making and gently guiding decisions on Fiona’s behalf until she was ready. Each day, she continued to milk and look after the cows as part of the painful recovery process. Fiona remains deeply grateful for the kindness that surrounded her during that time and admits most of it was a blur, a lifeline through the overwhelming grief.  

Fiona’s path to healing has been challenging, marked by PTSD triggered by storms and the difficulty of accessing mental health support in rural areas. She has sought counseling to help process her trauma and grief. Each storm brings a painful reminder of that tragic day, yet Fiona persists, taking each day as it comes.  Bruce always just got on and played the cards he was dealt without complaint and Fiona uses this legacy as she moves forward, honouring Bruce’s memory through resilience and self-care. She continues to work in Beef Extension with Agriculture Victoria, a role with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, where the routine provides stability and purpose.  

This February, we remember Bruce and honour Fiona’s strength, paying tribute to the resilience of Gippsland’s farming families who face both the beauty and hardships of life on the land. Through their story, we reflect on the importance of community and the power of simply “showing up” for those experiencing tragedy—don’t wait to be asked, just show up and lend a hand.