About us

History  |  Awards  |  Future plans  |  Funding  |  Advertising  |  Content approval  | Governace | NCFH team  | Boards  | Our partners

Farmer Health is the website for the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH).  The Centre provides national leadership to improve the health, safety and well-being of farm men and women, farm workers, their families and communities across Australia.

The Centre is a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University and is based in Hamilton, Victoria.

The Farmer Health website’s key objective is to increase knowledge transfer across the target groups of farmers, rural professionals, academics and students.

History

The NCFH has been operating since November 2008 and was officially opened by the Victorian Premier on 10 July 2009.

The Centre evolved from two main areas:

1. The Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) program – a health promotion program which addresses farmer health, well-being and safety issues. The core message of SFF is that the most important aspect of a healthy Australian farm is a healthy farm family
2. A Victorian Travelling Fellowship which examined overseas models for working with agricultural populations and provided the five key strategic areas which have been adopted by the NCFH.

Awards and recognition

• 2009 APEN Award for Excellence in Extension Network
  Award for extension for excellence in Extension 2009
  Certificate of Recognition awarded to Western District Health Service, Hamilton Victoria for Sustainable Farm Families Program
   
• 2007 Victorian Healthcare Association
  Western District Health Services:
  Winner for Initiative in population health for their project: Sustainable Farm Families
   
• 2007 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards - Highly commended
  Category 8: excellence in health promotion and prevention
  Sustainable Farm Families - raising the bar, Western District Health Service
  View article detail »
   
• 2006 Public Health Awards
  Public Health Programs
  Winner for Excellence: Sustainable Farm Families Project, Western District Health Service
  View award details [PDF 27kb]
   
• 2005 Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Primary Health Care
  Health Promotion category:
  Sustainable Farm Families – the human resource in the triple bottom line,Western District Health Service, Hamilton
  Awarded by Primary and Community Health Network
  View award details [PDF 104kb]
   
• 2005 Powercor Business Achievement Award
  Business Innovation: Western District Health Service, Sustainable Farm Families
   
• 2005 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards
  Category 2b: excellence in consumer involvement in their own care
  Sustainable Farm Families: The human resource in the triple bottom line, Western District Health Service
  View article details » 

Future plans

The National Centre for Farmer Health will continue to build on the industry-service-government-academic partnerships developed initially through the Sustainable Farm Families program. The Centre will address the health, safety and well-being issues associated with farming and develop timely, appropriate and effective interventions.

The National Centre for Farmer Health will bring together university research, service delivery, government and education by focusing on these five key areas:

• Professional training and education – providing undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education for health professionals, including GPs, nurses, allied health practitioners, vets, agronomists and associated primary industry personnel.
• Applied research and development ¬– expanding the evidence base for effective interventions to improve farm and agricultural workers’ health.
• Web based information and services - increasing knowledge and understanding by providing links to quality information and in future by providing e-learning and telemedicine services.
• AgriSafe clinics - introducing innovative occupational health and safety services to farm and agricultural workers.
• Sustainable Farm Families programs – maintaining the farmer health programs with an increasing emphasis on the dissemination of research results from the programs.

Funding

The National Centre for Farmer Health is a non-profit organisation, funded through the Victorian government's Future Farming Strategy and the Helen and Geoff Handbury Trust. The Centre has successfully applied for a number of research grants for specific projects.

The Centre also accepts commercial sponsorship in some instances, for example:

• To allow us to provide low cost events like conferences

The National Centre for Farmer Health does accept occasional commercial sponsorship for research or service delivery purposes, however is governed by a strict conflict of interest policy through Western District Health Service.

All funds generated by the Natioanl Centre for Farmer Health, for example from the Safety shop or from providing educational services, are used to support further research.

Advertising

Farmer Health does not host commercial advertising, however the Centre does accept commercial sponsorship in some instances. When sponsorship funding is accepted it does not influence the Centre’s research protocols or outcomes. Sponsorship information is displayed separately from clinical information. 

Content writing and approval 

Medical and health information on Farmer Health aims to provide summary information which is specifically targeted to the needs of farmers. Each topic page also provides researched links to further information which may also be of interest to health workers and researchers.
Health and safety  topic content on the Farmer Health website goes through a multi-step QA process:

• Initial research for content on the site is conducted by a qualified health researcher
• Content is written and further research is conducted by an experienced medical writer and editor.
• Content is checked by NCFH Lecturer, Dr Jacquie Cotton (see below for bio.)
• Content is signed off by NCFH Director, Clinical Associate Professor, Susan Brumby (see below for bio.)

The website is also overseen by an Advisory Group; see below under Governance. 

Governance

The National Centre for Farmer Health is overseen by a Board and each of the five service elements are also guided by an advisory group.  see below under Boards and Advisory Groups.

The Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health, clinical associate professor Susan Brumby, integrates a highly experienced multidisciplinary team of academic, health, social and industry professionals.

Website ownership

While the National Centre for Farmer Health is a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University, the Farmer Health website is owned by Western District Health Service, ABN 47 616 976 917.

Contact us for more information.

Meet the NCFH team

Susan Brumby (View Deakin profile »)
Director
RN. RM., Dip Farm. M'Ment, Grad Dip Women's Studies, Master Health Management, Certificate IV (Workplace training and assessment) MRCNA, ACHSE, ARLF

Prior to commencing with the NCFH Sue was Director of Community Services at Western District Health Service (WDHS). In this position she oversaw the introduction of new programs and innovative service delivery models resulting in numerous awards for service excellence, consumer involvement and health promotion. 

She is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership program, holds a Diploma in Farm Management, completed a Masters in Heath Management in 2004 and has been active in the agricultural and health sector both in a practical sense managing the family property and holding prominent positions in the sector. Sue has received the following awards:

• 2009 – The Victorian Regional Achievement Award for her work in rural health and farmer health. View article details »
   
• 2006 – Awarded the Victorian Traveling Health Fellowship to study farmer health and decision making in the USA & UK. View Susan Brumby: 2005-2006 Victorian Travelling Fellowship report [PDF 701kb]
   
• 2005 – Rural health professionals award (Barwon SW Region) for her outstanding contribution to the health of the community.

Cate Mercer-Grant (View research output »)
Program manager
B. Bus (Marketing), B. Bus (Property Valuations), Certificate IV (Training and assessment), Credentialing in Marketing and Finance, FAIM,AMAMI, MAICD. 

Cate has significant experience working in marketing, finance and project management across a broad range of sectors including community, industry, government and corporate environments.  Throughout her career she has demonstrated a strong empathy and commitment towards rural communities.

Cate comes from a farming background and maintains strong links and involvement with the agricultural community. 

Mark Atcheson
AgriSafe Clinician
Bachelor of Nursing 

Mark has worked in many nursing roles within the Western District Health Service from 2002. He commenced a Graduate year with the WDHS and has rotated through various departments gaining knowledge within this departments. He also worked on the “Long stay of the Elderly project”, ”Maximising Health” and “Cognitive Identifying” as assistant project officer. He worked as an Associate Charge Nurse for eight years at The Birches, High care facility and is now completing Agricultural Health and Medicine through Deakin University, School of Medicine.

Mark has lived locally for the majority of his life working on many of the farms within the rural local community and has always had a soft spot for the land and people within these communities. Mark is looking forward to running AgriSafe clinics and meeting many Agricultural workers to promote occupational health, safety and wellbeing within his newly appointed position at the NCFH.

Adrian Calvano
Sustainable Farm Families health professional
B. Nursing

Adrian is experienced in the health sector and is currently working as a Health Professional at the National Centre for Farmer Health. Adrian’s main role is to deliver the Sustainable Farm Families Program nationwide. 

Adrian has completed postgraduate studies in Prostate Cancer Care (nursing), Agricultural Health & Medicine, and is a trained instructor in Mental Health First Aid. Adrian has also held positions as Community Health Nurse for Western District Health Service and Headspace Co-ordinator in Hamilton.

Adrian enjoys working with farm families and the health agencies involved with the program. 

Jacquie Cotton
Lecturer/Researcher Rural Health
Ph D - Agriculture

Jacquie joined NCFH in 2012 as Researcher and Lecturer in Rural Health. Graduating from La Trobe University in 2003, she continued on to complete a Doctorate in Agriculture in 2009. Prior to joining the NCFH team, Jacquie has worked as course developer and trainer at Rural Industries Skill Training in Hamilton, and on the teaching and research team at La Trobe University in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, specialising in livestock parasite management in sheep and cattle. Originally a Melbourne girl, Jacquie and her husband have worked with farmers in Hamilton for 5 years and plan to continue to call the area home. Jacquie has a passion for Agriculture, & education and has jumped at the chance to combine the two with farmer health here at NCFH. 

Tracey Hatherell
Data clerk
Diploma Business Management, Certificate IV (Assessment and workplace training)

Tracey has a strong interest in agriculture, coming from a rural background and living on a cropping property and assisting with a cropping contracting business.
Tracey is particularly interested in the research element of farm family health and enjoys meeting the diverse groups of people associated with the program. 

Alison Kennedy
Research assistant (ARC)
B. Behavioural Science (Hons), Post Grad Dip. in Arts (Criminology)
 
Alison is employed through the School of Psychology at Deakin University to work on the Alcohol Intervention Training Program (AITP). She grew up in Melbourne but has lived in Hamilton for the past 8 years with the most recent four years spent living on a farming property. Alison has experience working in a number of areas with direct impact on the health of farm men and women including horticulture and sleep medicine.
 
Alison is passionate about rural life and has chosen this stimulating and beautiful environment to live with her growing family. She is currently gearing up to commence her rural health focussed PhD studies in the near future.

Heidi Mason
Research Assistant (NHMRC)
B. Nursing

Heidi is employed through the School of Medicine at Deakin University to work on the Shhh hearing in a farming environment research project.  

Heidi grew up in Adelaide but moved to the western district 2 years ago after completing a rural nursing placement in the area and meeting her partner.

Heidi is passionate about health promotion and enjoys working with the farming community.

Henrike Milne
Research assistant
B. Biomedical Science

Henrike grew up in rural Germany and lives with her family on a Western District property. Being involved with farming all her life, she has a strong interest in improving the health of farming families and enjoys meeting and working with the families. 

Bianca has several years experience in web design and content management. She has also run her own website design business.  She is particularly interested in the role information technology has in providing quality health information for people in rural and remote communities, and how farmers and agricultural workers can use online services for better health outcomes.

Bianca’s early experiences of country life, including working in the viticultural industry, have reinforced her passion for country living, and she’s chosen a small town in Western Victoria to raise a family.
 

National Centre for Farmer Health Board 

Jim Fletcher (Chair)   
Chief Executive Officer    
Western District Health Service
Chair Agrisafe Advisory Group

Susan Brumby   
Director    
National Centre Farmer Health

Professor Lee Kennedy
Head of School - Medicine
Deakin University

Brendan Crotty
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health)
Health Medicine Nursing & Behavioural Sciences   
Deakin University
Chair Education and Training Advisory Group

Hugh Macdonald
Regional Manager
Southern Financial Group
Director Western District Health Service    
Chair Web Hub Advisory Group
 

Web Hub Advisory Group

Hugh Macdonald (Chair)
Board Member, Western District Health Service

Bill Atasever
Web Architect, Deakin University

Lucy Ayers
Communication Officer, Deakin University

Susan Brumby
Director, National Centre Farmer Health

Kathleen Felling
Faculty Technical Program Manager, Deakin University

Dale Ford
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Greater Green Triangle University

Lyn Golder
Marketing Coordinator, Deakin University

Scott McCoombe
Lecturer, National Centre Farmer Health

Cate Mercer-Grant
Program Manager, Sustainable Farm Families, WDHS

Anton Neal
Farmer representative, Victorian Farmers Federation

Carl Sudholz
Extension officer, Department of Primary Industries, Horsham

Bianca Todd
Web content coordinator, National Centre for Farmer Health

Jan Weaver
Medical Librarian, Deakin University 

 

Applied Research and Development Advisory Group

John Catford (Chair)
Dean, Health Medicine Nursing & Behavioural Sciences, Deakin University

Tim Baker
Director, Centre Rural Emergency Medicine

Shelley Bowen
Senior Public Health Advisor, Department of Health (Vic)

Susan Brumby
Director, National Centre Farmer Health

Rob Carter
Chair in Health and Human Services Economics, Deakin University

Ananda Chandrasekara
Research fellow, National Centre Farm Health

Evelyne de Leeuw
School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University

Ian Dreher
Manage, Practice Change

Chris Gray
Deputy Dean, School of Life and Social Sciences, Deakin University

Kimberly Hearne
Sunsmart, Research and evaluation officer, Cancer Council Victoria

David Mellor
Associate Professor, School of Psychology, Deakin University

Sarah Parker
Coordinator, Northern Victoria YDDP, Murray Dairy

Natalie Russell
Workplace Coordinator, Cancer Council Victoria

Allan Wolff
Director, Medical Services, Wimmera Health Care Group
  

Professional Training and Education Advisory Group

Brendan Crotty (Chair)
Head, School of Medicine, Deakin University

Michael Ackland
Senior Medical Advisor, Department of Health

Tim Baker
Director, Centre Rural Emergency Medicine, Deakin University

Susan Brumby
Director, National Centre Farmer Health

Gilbert Fryatt
Victorian Farmers Federation

David Kramer
Associate Head, School of Teaching and Learning, Deakin University

Scott McCoombe
Lecturer, National Centre Farmer Health
 

Sustainable Farm Families Advisory Group

Professor John Martin (Chair)
Director, Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University

Susan Brumby   
Director, National Centre Farmer Health 

Cate Mercer-Grant
Program manager, Sustainable Farm Families

Kay Antony
WestVic Dairy

Tracey Harper
Department of Primary Industries

Bruce Gibson
WorkSafe Victoria

Jim Hyde
Director, Prevention and Population Health at the Victorian Department of Health

Pam Oddie
Farmer

Martin Butler
Farmer

Kate Randall
Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation

Emily Phillips
Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

Delwyn Seebeck
Victorian Farmers Federation

Beverley Smith
Department of Sustainability and Environment

Evelyne De Leeuw
Deakin University

Agrisafe Advisory Group

Jim Fletcher (Chair)   
Chief executive officer, Western District Health Service

Susan Brumby
Director, National Centre Farmer Health

Evelyne De Leeuw
School of Medicine, Deakin University

Jane Greacen
Rural general practitioner, Lakes Entrance

Tony Grogan
Chief executive officer, Greatest Assets Pty Ltd

Tracey Harper
Department of Primary Industries

Elizabeth Lawrence
AgriSafe clinician, National Centre Farmer Health

David Milecki
Director, Injury Net

Kevin Sleigh
Senior medical advisor, Worksafe Victoria

Our partners

The Better Health Channel provides online consumer focused health and medical information. All information is quality-assured, reliable and regularly reviewed. Better Health Channel content is developed in consultation with content partners – reputable health organisations with specialised knowledge in a particular topic area. Visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au