Meet Morna Semmens – our wonderful Agrisafe Clinician and Registered Nurse. When she is not looking after our local farmers through her work at the AgriSafe clinics, or educating students on farm safety through our Gear Up program, she is working with husband on their sheep and cattle grazing farm in Gazette, Western Victoria.
We found some time in Morna’s busy schedule to learn a little bit more about her…
Favourite Quote:
I’m an optimist, but an optimist who carries a raincoat.
Harold Wilson
What is something that Australian farmers have to deal with that you would like to fix?
The pressure they feel to address their animal, crop, and soil health before they prioritize their own health.
What do you like about working with NCFH?
Everyone’s skills and input are valued- the mix of skills brings creativity and new ways of approaching challenges to agricultural health and medicine.
What are you currently working on at NCFH?
AgriSafe Clinics for farmers and agricultural workers, and Gear UP sessions for students to ensure the next generation of agricultural workers manage their risks and survive/thrive in agriculture.
What is your background?
Speech Pathology-Vocational Rehabilitation-Sheep/Beef Farming.
What are the values that drive you?
1. Play your part and work hard to contribute to family – community and the world.
2. Look at the world from other’s perspectives first.
3. Listen with intent.
What are your three favourite podcasts/books?
1. A kestrel for a knave, by Barry HINES. It is a story about a young boy in a tough environment surviving emotionally by befriending a kestrel. If you prefer the movie version look up KES.
2. Seeing Voices by Oliver Sacks. It is a neurologist’s view into deaf culture and their visual language systems.
3. The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting. It is a great family epic based in Norway – a country I visited a few years ago and loved.
Basically I love stories where people overcome adversity or where the story is about how earlier generations of a family influence the next generation….
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Swimming, bike riding and growing food…. In that order.
To book in to see Morna for a Health and Lifestyle Assessment through the AgriSafe clinics, or to find out more about the Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety program for schools and educational institutions, please follow the links below.
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