Blog
-
Nicole and Brendan Saunders, Maffa - December// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Nicole and Brendan, a couple from New Zealand who grew up on family farms, moved to Australia in 2018, with Brendan having first arrived in the ea... -
Mark and Lisa Wilms, Willow Grove - November// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Since 2007, Mark has been battling mental health periodicially, an ordeal that has significantly impeded his ability to oversee his dairy farm, co... -
Trev Stammers, Neerim East - September// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Trev has recently made a transition from beef to dairy farming in pursuit of more stable finances and the potential to expand his farm. Incredibly... -
Les and Lyn Hornby, Monomeith - August // 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Les and Lynne's foray into dairy farming began in 1997, driven by their son’s ambition to become a dairy farmer. Despite their son's career change... -
Shelley Field, Yarram - July// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Shelley exemplifies the tenacity and heart often found at the core of the dairy industry. In light of the round-the-clock nature of dairy farming,... -
Peter and Kate Mirams, Newry - June// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Kate's journey from off-farm career to farm ownership was driven by a desire to live a purposeful life and set a meaningful example for her chil... -
Hannah Borland, Bairnsdale - May// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Hannah, a 21-year-old who has navigated the turbulent waters of depression and anxiety, has found solace and a sense of purpose in the dairy indu... -
Paul Cockedge, Nerrena - April// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Paul began his career on the family farm before transitioned to share farming, and eventually into management to better balance work with his expa... -
Michelle Axford, Korumburra South - March// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Michelle and Michael’s dairy operation is a prime example of how two contrasting styles can merge to create a successful farming enterprise. From ... -
Paul & Louise Sherar, Loch - February// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Paul and Louise's dairy farming journey can be characterized by resilience amid adversity. Long before dating apps were the norm, Louise’s reply t... -
Paul & Maree Wood, Sale - January// 2024 Mental Health Calendar
Paul and Maree's journey through life has been one marked by the kind of tragedies that can either break a person or forge them into a figure of i... -
Ross Anderson, Denison// 2023 December Calendar
Where is your farm located? Denison. How long have you been in the dairy industry? I've been home since 2006 which makes it 17 years nearly. W... -
Tim Jelbart, Leongatha South // November 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
With 1175 cows and a 21-member staff, Tim's farm is a bustling hive of activity. But it's not just about the numbers; it's about the way Tim and his team manage it all.
Their secret? A finely tuned work-life balance. Staff enjoy a rotating schedule that ensures they get both weekdays and weekends off, maintaining a healthy equilibrium. 🐄🌞
Tim, as a director and general manager, handles budgeting, strategy, planning, and risk management. His approach focuses on making the farm self-sustainable, so it can keep running smoothly even if he's not around.
But it's not just about the farm's success. Tim's journey is inspiring, he left his career as a valuer in Sydney to support his family. From managing the business end of things to fostering a positive work culture, Tim and his team have created something special. They even have their own branded shirts and jumpers!
Tim's story is a testament to dedication, resilience, and the importance of work-life balance in the farming world. Check out the blog to read the full interview 🐮👨🌾 #FarmLife #SuccessStory #WorkLifeBalance
-
Matt & Nicola Templeton, Tarwin// October 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
Nicola and Matt, both from dairy farming backgrounds, entered the dairy industry through their families and a shared love for showing cattle. Originally from Queensland, Nicola's parents managed a predominantly Jersey herd of 350 cows, while Matt's family owned a dairy farm in Nar Nar Goon, Victoria. Matt pursued a unique career as a full-time cattle fitter, traveling worldwide to prepare show and sale cattle, making him one of Australia's pioneers in this field.
Their paths crossed through cattle shows, and they decided to take over Matt's family farm, despite its challenges. Support from both sides of their families proved invaluable. Before settling in Tarwin, the couple worked together in Northern Victoria, testing their compatibility as both life and business partners. Their love for the industry and the friendships they formed within the dairy community kept them motivated and dedicated.
Their journey took an unexpected turn when Matt experienced a car accident, leading to a series of health challenges. Despite initial misdiagnoses, Matt's perseverance and the support of friends and family led him through aggressive cancer treatment. Nicola stood by her husband's side while managing the farm and supporting him through his health battles.
The couple found strength in the unwavering support of their loved ones, and their passion for dairy farming kept them going. Events like International Dairy Week provided a sense of normalcy and inspiration for Matt to continue pursuing his love for the industry. Their story is a testament to the resilience of those in the dairy farming community and the power of love and friendship during life's most challenging moments.
-
Craig Fletcher, Merrlieu // September 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
"You know, it's maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for us. Every farm
is different. We take pride knowing we provide premium milk for Australians and we stand by what we do as being environmentally friendly and sustainable. One of the biggest motivations for this was that we would spend up to $700,000 in fertiliser every year, but we didn't want to put future financial stress on our children. If it won't grow here, we won't try and grow it. -
Lauren Masters, Kilmany // August 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
"I think it’s an important issue to be talked about and more people need to. There is such a stigma around it, especially in the agricultural industry; that farmers are seen as tough and as people who experience hardships without any emotional impact. Although farmers are some of the strongest people I know, bottling up these issues and emotions will never bring about a good outcome. " -
Belinda & Stu Griffin, Westbury // July 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
Many dairy farmers can relate to the relentless, all consuming nature that is dairy farming, and many other farming practices for that matter! Getting off the farm can sometimes feel impossible 'there's too much to do!', but it's so important in regenerating tired batteries and shifting your perspective on life and farming in general, so you can come back better than ever!
In this months Farming Conversations Calendar Belinda & Stu chat about how they make getting off the farm possible, innovations in dairy farming, the importance of your team, protecting their family time and how to stay married through the calving season! #AnyFarmerCanRelate
-
Chris Kane, Marlo // June 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
"I think if corporations take over the industry, we're all screwed to be honest. Small family farms should all help each other because at the end of the day we all get paid the same milk price. We're not in competition with each other. We need to get back to helping each other more; the blokes around here come and give me a hand moving and sorting cattle and I help them in return. That's how our grandfathers did it. Farmers are in their silos when we should be amongst our community; we’d have better mental health "
-
John & Steve Ryan, Denison // May 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
The climate challenge as we move forward is about increasing the capacity of our soils and soil function, nutrient cycling, carbon holding capacity, and water holding capacity. I’m finding that a challenge, but an exciting challenge to address.
-
Matt Willis, Carrajung South // April 2023 "Farming Conversations" Calendar
Matt Willis has an incredible story and there’s not much he hasn’t faced! At 21 years of age he became an incomplete quadriplegic after a freak accident, keeping the farm going through the drought, then nearly losing the farm in the Black Saturday bushfires, his Mum being diagnosed with Huntingdon’s disease and then nearly losing his Dad in a truck accident. Despite his challenges Matt continues to farm and we think he has an incredible amount to say about mental resilience..
-
Marcus Brickle, Yanakie// February 2023 Mental Health Calendar
Marcus runs his own business on his family’s third generation farm in Yanakie, Victoria, having taken over the farm in 2020 after his father was seriously injured in an accident. Having lived and worked all over the world across different industries has given him perspective when coming back to the farm ‘When I was working in corporate, there was pressure to meet goals and targets. It felt like every time I achieved a goal I had nothing to show for it; they just moved the goal posts even further. I believe you create your own destiny and with farming I feel that I get to see the results of my work everyday.’ Marcus is also passionate about future proofing his farm and minimising environmental impact.
-
Tom & Ian McMillan, Sale - January// 2023 Mental Health Calendar
How long have you been in the dairy industry?I grew up on the family farm and I've been full time in the industry for 11 years now. Did you go to ... -
Scott and Lee-Anne Robinson, Jarrahmond - November 2022 Calendar
“Communication is key; it needs to be open, consistent and go in both directions. Just because you might have differing opinions, doesn’t mean eit... -
Ryan & Lauren Williams, Fish Creek - October 2022 Mental Health Calendar
'Don't let work get in the way. Do things for yourself and put your happiness first.' -
Mark Johnston, Heyfield - SEPTEMBER 2022 Calendar
‘Open up, find someone to talk to and if you have any underlying issues, just talk. Talking is the best medicine.’
Mark Johnston doesn’t steer away from hard conversations, in fact, he welcomes them. Mental health is something that he has experienced within his own family and has helped him relate to others that may be travelling the same road. He is passionate about spreading the word that talking about struggles in life is a valuable tool that can help manage your mental health.
-
Krystal and Nick Bermingham – August 2022 Calendar
‘If you want to farm, go out and just give it a crack. There are so many people out there to help, so there is no point feeling like you’re alone. Don’t let pride get in the way either, benchmark yourself against your own business and just enjoy it.’
-
Jo, Dave & Lexi Algie - July 2022 Calendar
‘Mental health, like cancer, doesn’t choose who it effects. The thing about mental health is, even though it’s unseen, it’s still an illness’.
-
Jake Seuren, Lang Lang - June 2022 Calendar
No matter what life throws at you, never give up!’
At 21 years old, Jake has been through many trials and challenges, also triumphs. He possesses a wisdom beyond his years and a fire in his belly born from adversity. To talk to him, you’d come to realise that he is a young man with ambition, strength and smart business savviness. Yet at the heart of him, he has a sensitive soul, a man who just wants to help those around him and give back to his community.
-
Ben & April Damschke, Trafalgar - MARCH 2022 Calendar
‘The ground may be dry, even on the stormiest of days, but just remember, the most important thing in life; to hold on to your family and friends’. -
Anthony Scott, Yarram - FEBRUARY 2022 Calendar
‘I was too busy chasing more, that I ended up with less. Don’t take the people in your life for granted in the pursuit of a bigger dream.’
In 2016 Anthony and his partner at the time, Mads, bought 277 acres in Yarram while they were still in their early to mid 20’s. Anthony loved being able to see his two young children during the day. However, he was striving and working so hard to build the farm’s profits that the things he loved most began to slowly slip away. The farm came with great reward, but also a huge private cost.
-
Alastair Steel, Orbost - JANUARY 2022 Calendar
‘Don’t conform with everything that’s out there, think outside the box sometimes. Think individually, what’s good for your neighbour isn’t necessarily good for your farm!’