Welcome to the National Centre for Farmer Health
The National Centre for Farmer Health is an established and trusted organisation within the Australian and International Agriculture landscape.
Focusing on prevention and early identification of risk factors associated with farming populations, the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) develops timely, appropriate, effective and popular interventions. Often working in partnership with rural industry organisations and academia.
The NCFH team is comprised of professionals from the diverse backgrounds, including health, agricultural, social sciences and information technology disciplines. Our team members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the organisation and have a proven capacity to deliver in the areas of education training, applied research and community engagement. With our interdisciplinary approach and collaborative mindset, we are well-positioned to address complex challenges and make a real difference to farmers’ lives.
We are proud of our work in areas such as;
- Training the next generation of farmers and agriculture leaders
- Building rural workforce capacity
- Research to impact policy, practice and education
- Investing in the health of agriculture workers, their families and farming businesses
- Working with others towards common goals
- Rapid Response – The ability to respond quickly and decisively with expert advice and guidance when farming communities are faced with extreme climatic events and challenging industry situations.
The centre has grown in capacity and has made significant progress in supporting the health, wellbeing and safety across our farming communities (locally, nationally and internationally) Since its establishment in 2008 the NCFH has become a valued and leading point of contact for our farmers, rural communities, health professional and industry partners.
At the NCFH we are committed to increasing reach and access of our service so that more farmers can benefit from the expertise and support services we provide, regardless of their location. We understand the importance of providing high-quality services that address the unique needs of farmers and we are constantly exploring new ways to make our service more widely available in the agriculture industry for years to come.
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
History
History
The NCFH was founded in 2008 by the Victorian Government’s Future Farming Strategy and the Helen and Geoff Handbury Trust and is a partnership between regional health service Western District Health Service and Deakin University.
It’s vision was to be a thriving centre inspiring quality education, research and service delivery through innovative partnerships that advance agrihealth and medicine both locally and globally.
The NCFH evolved from two main areas:
The Sustainable Farm Families™ (SFF) program – a health promotion program which addresses farmer health, wellbeing and safety issues. The core message of SFF™ is that the most important aspect of a healthy Australian farm is a healthy farm family.
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.
In 2018 we celebrated our 10 years of operation and our ongoing commitment ‘to make a difference to farmers’ lives’. In May 2019 we received funding for 2019 – 2023 from the Victorian state government.
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 Catherine Bennett
Chair in Epidemiology
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
Sarah Crosthwaite
Farmer Representative, VIC
Heather Fleming
Farmer Representative, VIC
Mark McLean
SafeWork NSW
Tammy Sandison
Farmer Representative, WA
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
Gavin Merriman
Farmer Representative
Shellie Burgess
Health Professional Representative, NSW
Nick Blandford
Young Farmers Advisory Council Representative
Associate Professor Alison Kennedy
Director
National Centre for Farmer Health
Our partners
Our Partners
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