Welcome to the National Centre for Farmer Health
The National Centre for Farmer Health is dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and safety of farmers, farm workers, farming families and agriculture-dependent communities across Australia. Through health services, education and training, translational research and stakeholder engagement, we drive change and make a lasting impact.
Founded in 2008 as a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University, we tackle the significant health inequities faced by Australians living and working in farming communities compared to their city counterparts.
Guided by the pillars of Evidence, Influence and Action, we focus on prevention and early identification of risk factors to health, wellbeing and safety. We have a strong record of developing effective and evidence-based interventions, fostering trusted engagement with farming communities and industry partners, and expanding the reach of our research, education, and services.
Our multidisciplinary team brings expertise from health, agriculture, behavioural and social sciences, communications and information technology—allowing us to address complex challenges and make a meaningful difference.
We take pride in our work which includes:
- Collecting, interpreting and translating evidence to drive change
- Expanding innovative research in response to need
- Empowering the farming community to foster transformation on farms
- Developing collaborations and delivery models to increase access to health programs
- Training the next generation of farmers and agriculture leaders and building rural workforce capacity through tailored professional development, secondary and tertiary education at scale
Providing expertise to influence policy, practice and culture
Since our establishment, we have grown into a leading, trusted resource for farmers, agriculture-dependent communities, health professionals, and industry partners—locally, nationally, and internationally.
Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan
Awards
Awards & Recognition
- 2022 Western District Health Service Excellence & Innovation Award – non-clinical
Gear Up for Agriculture Program
- 2017 Western District Health Service – Award for excellence and innovation – non-clinical
The Ripple Effect Project
- 2016 Vic Health Awards Finalist – Improving health equity
“Making a difference to farmers’ lives – working towards health equity in farming communities.”
- 2016 Western District Health Service – Award for excellence and innovation – non clinical
Creating healthier communities
- 2016 Sustainable Farm Families™ program recognised as an example of best practice – Victorian Workplace Mental Wellbeing Collaboration View article detail »
- 2014 Vice Chancellors award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Agricultural Health and Medicine – Deakin University
- 2014 Best Presentation at the 2014 GSSA Annual Conference – Grasslands Society of Southern Australia Inc
- 2011 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards
Highly Commended – Health Leader’s Awards. Developing a capable and engaged workforce
National Centre for Farmer Health, Western District Health Service and Deakin University
- 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
- 2006 Public Health Awards
Public Health Programs
Winner for Excellence: Sustainable Farm Families Project, Western District Health Service
- 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
- 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
Governance
Governance
The NCFH is overseen by a Board with senior members from Deakin University and Western District Health Service. A consumer-based Advisory Group ensures stakeholder input. Both the Board and the Advisory Group meet quarterly.
National Centre for Farmer Health Board
Greg Walcott – Chair
Board Member
Western District Health Service
Professor Gary Rogers
Dean Head of School – Medicine
Deakin University
Rowena Clift
Chief Executive
Western District Health Service
Professor Angela Dew
Professor, Disability and Inclusion
Deakin University
Dr Alison Kennedy
Director
National Centre for Farmer Health
Paddy Handbury
Farmer Representative / Chair of the Handbury Group
Advisory Group
Advisory Group
National Centre for Farmer Health Advisory Group
Greg Walcott – Chair
Board Member
Western District Health Service
Associate Professor Alison Kennedy
Director
National Centre for Farmer Health
Sarah Crosthwaite
Farmer Representative, VIC
Heather Fleming
Farmer Representative, VIC
Tammy Sandison
Farmer Representative, WA
Gavin Merriman
Farmer Representative
Mark McLean
SafeWork NSW
Dr Lisa Cowan
Policy Manager, Workforce and Skills
Agriculture Policy and Programs, Agriculture Victoria
Kylie Johnston
Senior Policy Officer, Population Health Policy
Population and Women’s Health Branch / Community and Public Health Division, Department of Health
Jen Grigg
Manager Programs – Agriculture and Transport
WorkSafe Victoria
Shellie Burgess
Health Professional Representative, NSW
Nick Blandford
Young Farmers Advisory Council Representative
Our partners
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.
healthdirect provides easy access to free* trusted, quality health information and advice online and over the phone. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you make informed choices anywhere, any time.
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