GANNAWARRA Shire Council and Mallee Family Care united on September 8 for the successful screening of the renowned Australian movie Just a Farmer.
About 170 people from across the region attended the event, held at Kerang Memorial Hall as part of council’s ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for residents to connect as part of the Gannawarra flood recovery program.
Council chief executive officer Geoff Rollinson said it was important for people to continue to have discussions around mental health issues in rural Australia.
“Council is pleased to have worked with Mallee Family Care to screen Just a Farmer, which explores the complexities of mental health struggles in rural Australia and the importance of continuing to have conversations across the community and encouraging people to reach out for help when needed,” Mr Rollinson said.
“The event featured a strong mental health and suicide prevention message that resonated with the audience, particularly our local farmers and others with farming connections.
“With such a broad cross-section of the community in attendance there was a good mix of message and comedy in the movie to lighten the tears and create laughter across the audience.”
South-west Victorian farmer Leila McDougall, who wrote, produced and starred in the movie, and fellow co-star Damian Walshe-Howling were in attendance and joined team members from Northern District Community Health and Rural Financial Counselling Service, as well as Quambatook farmer Brett Hosking, for a question-and-answer session after the screening.
For mental health support, community members are encouraged to speak to their GP, contact Northern District Community Health on 5451 0200, the national Lifeline service on 13 11 14 or another trusted mental health provider. Mallee Family Care continues to provide support to Gannawarra residents affected by the flood events and can be contacted on 5032 4479.
