Back on Track team to host post-trial community consultations across Victorian farming regions
The Back on Track team is inviting farming community members, local leaders, service providers, and stakeholders with an interest in rural mental health and wellbeing to attend a series of post-trial community consultations in the North East, Gippsland and South West of Victoria this March.
Back on Track is an innovative peer-guided mental health initiative designed to support farming communities experiencing low mood and depression. The program was co-designed with farmers and delivered by trained local coaches who understand farm life and the challenges faced by agricultural communities.
In 2024–25, a feasibility trial of Back on Track was conducted across three Victorian dairy regions to explore how a locally delivered peer-led support model could work in practice, including recruitment and training of coaches, participant engagement, and alignment with the behavioural activation model at the heart of the program.
Now that the trial has concluded and findings are being analysed, the Back on Track team will be visiting each region to share project insights, gather community feedback and discuss next steps. Sessions are open to anyone interested in the mental health and wellbeing of farming communities, including farmers, community leaders, service providers, agricultural industry representatives, and mental health stakeholders.
Selected Back on Track Coaches who delivered the program during the trial will attend several consultations to share reflections on their experience working with participants in their communities.
Consultation schedule:
North East (Tallangatta)
• Tuesday 3 March | 11:00am–1:00pm | Tallangatta Integrated Community Centre
• Tuesday 3 March | 6:00pm–8:00pm | Victoria Hotel, Tallangatta
Gippsland (Maffra)
• Wednesday 4 March | 6:00pm–8:00pm | Maffra Community Sports Club
• Thursday 5 March | 10:00am–12:00pm | Maffra Hall
South West (Camperdown)
• Wednesday 11 March | 11:00am–1:00pm | Killara Centre, Camperdown
• Wednesday 11 March | 6:00pm–8:00pm | Hampden Hotel, Camperdown
Sessions are free to attend and catering provided. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
RSVP by 28 February at the button below.
The Back on Track project was funded by the Gardiner Foundation and led by the National Centre for Farmer Health with research support from universities and health service partners.
Media contact:
Anna Greene
Project Manager – Back on Track
Phone: 03 5551 8533
Email: BoT@wdhs.net
Applications now open for HMF701 scholarships.
HMF701 Agricultural Health and Medicine SCHOLARSHIP NOW OPEN.
Grow your impact. Support farming communities. Apply for a farmer health study scholarship.
Australia’s agricultural communities face unique and evolving challenges. From climate impacts and workforce pressures to mental health and service access. HMF701: Agricultural Health and Medicine provides the knowledge and skills to drive meaningful, place‑based change.
A limited number of half-scholarships are available for Trimester 1, 2027 (Mar– Jul), helping to support rural professionals to undertake this Deakin University postgraduate unit.
If you work in health, agriculture, policy, education, or community services and are passionate about strengthening the wellbeing of farming communities this opportunity is for you.
“Agricultural health and medicine is particularly important for health practitioners because it gives them the knowledge to ask their patients the right questions about their work environment. An occupational history can be the difference between solving a problem quickly and an illness having long term effects for the patient.”
– Dr Jacquie Cotton, Course Director.
Applications open 5 Oct and close 8 Nov 2026.
Invest in your professional development and help shape healthier futures for agricultural communities. Visit www.farmerhealth.org.su/scholarships or contact Dr Jacquie Cotton j.cotton@deakin.edu.au for further information.
Thriving on the Land – October 2026 update
What you need to know in farmer health, wellbeing and safety from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- Explore our farm safety resources this National Safe Work Month
- Agricultural Health and Medicine Scholarships open 5 October!
- Seeking more MemFlex Rural Memory program participants
- Upcoming farmer needlestick injury information sessions
- New telehealth physio access for farmers and ag workers
- Upcoming events
- Partnering for impact: Fat Farmers
View the October 2026 e-newsletter
Do you want to receive our monthly e-news? Click here to subscribe!
Expanding access to Physiotherapy and Musculoskeletal Care Across Australian Agriculture
NCFH Partner Impact in Action, Beyond The Clinic: JointFit
Musculoskeletal conditions affect around 1 in 3 Australian adults and cost the Australian economy more than $53 billion each year.
Beyond The Clinic’s focus is on connecting people with the right care, at the right time and in the right place. Its approach combines qualified physiotherapy care with technology-enabled support, including telehealth and digital tools, to make musculoskeletal care more accessible and easier to manage.
For people living in rural and regional communities, distance, time and limited local services can make accessing healthcare services challenging.
The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) has partnered with Beyond The Clinic to provide farmers and agricultural workers across Australia with greater access to physiotherapy and musculoskeletal (MSK) pain management support through the JointFit digital platform (App with motion-tracked exercises; joint health profile screening, health coach text support) and telehealth available.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment on improving access to appropriate, evidence-informed health care and finding practical approaches that work within the realities of rural and agricultural life.
Supporting farmers to access care where they are.
For people living and working in rural and regional communities, muscle and joint pain can have a significant impact on physical function, work and everyday life. Yet getting timely support is not always easy when the nearest allied health service may be a considerable distance from home or the farm.
JointFit has been designed to help address some of these barriers by combining physiotherapist-led care with technology-enabled support.
Participants can connect with qualified, AHPRA-registered physiotherapists via telehealth and receive personalised support for their musculoskeletal health, including structured care and exercise programs.
The model provides an opportunity for farmers and agricultural workers to access professional support while reducing the need for travel and time away from work.
A practical pathway for rural and regional communities.
National Centre for Farmer Health Director, Associate Professor Alison Kennedy, said the partnership provides another practical pathway for farmers to access professional health support.
“Improving farmer health outcomes requires us to think differently about how health care is delivered. For farmers and agricultural workers, we know that access to timely and appropriate care can be constrained by distance, time and the realities of agricultural work. This partnership with Beyond The Clinic is an important step in addressing those barriers, bringing evidence-informed physiotherapy support closer to where people live and work and creating greater opportunity for early intervention, better health outcomes and sustained participation in work and life.”
Making appropriate health support easier to access is an important part of improving the health, wellbeing and safety of Australia’s farming communities.
Connecting farmers and agricultural workers with physiotherapy support.
Through JointFit, participants can access:
Telehealth consultations
Connect with a qualified physiotherapist remotely, helping reduce the need to travel long distances for an appointment.
Personalised exercise programs
Receive an exercise program tailored to individual needs, goals and physical function.
Musculoskeletal health support
Access professional support for muscle and joint pain and other musculoskeletal concerns.
Ongoing care and support
JointFit combines physiotherapist-led care with digital technology to support participants beyond a traditional clinic appointment.
The program has been tested with patients in real-world settings, combining digital support with qualified physiotherapy care.
Start your referral to JointFit
If you are a farmer or agricultural worker experiencing muscle or joint pain, you can access JointFit through the National Centre for Farmer Health referral pathway. Start your referral with JointFit at the button below.
More information
See more Partner Impact in Action case studies
We’re Hiring! Community Engagement & Extension Officer
National Centre for Farmer Health | Western District Health Service I Job No: WDHS2082 I Location: Hamilton
Help shape healthier farming communities
The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) is seeking an enthusiastic and community-focused Community Engagement & Extension Officer to join our team in Hamilton.
This exciting role provides an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with farming communities, industry groups, service providers and stakeholders while promoting programs, education and initiatives that support farmer health, wellbeing and safety.
As a key liaison between NCFH and the community, you will facilitate engagement activities, coordinate events and workshops, strengthen partnerships and help translate research and knowledge into practical outcomes that make a real difference in rural communities.
This is a Fixed Term role until 31st December 2027
Applications close: 25th of September 2026
Thriving on the Land – September 2026 update
What you need to know in farmer health, wellbeing and safety from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- A Year in Review: Collaboration strengthens farmer health, wellbeing and safety
- MemFlex Rural Memory participants needed
- Look Over the Farm Gate receives additional funding
- See you at the 18th National Rural Health Conference
- Did you tune into the Bush Summit?
- Upcoming events
- Partner in the spotlight: Gardiner Foundation
View the September 2026 e-newsletter
Do you want to receive our monthly e-news? Click here to subscribe!
Director’s blog: Reflecting on a year of impact
2025-26 Year in Review
Written by National Centre for Farmer Health Director Alison Kennedy
As I look back on the past year, I am filled with pride and gratitude for what we have achieved together at the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH). This Year in Review captures more than just numbers and milestones. It tells the story of our commitment to improving the health, wellbeing and safety of Australian farmers, farming families and rural communities.
The challenges facing agriculture continue to evolve. Farmers are navigating changing climates, workforce pressures, economic uncertainty and increasing demands on their physical and mental wellbeing. In response, NCFH has remained focused on delivering evidence-based programs, building partnerships, supporting frontline health professionals and ensuring farmers have access to the services and resources they need.
This year has been marked by innovation, collaboration and meaningful engagement. Through our research, education, health initiatives and community outreach, we have continued to strengthen the connection between agriculture and health. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, researchers, partners, supporters and the farming communities who place their trust in us.
The stories and achievements highlighted throughout this video demonstrate the impact that can be achieved when organisations, industries and communities work together toward a common goal. While we celebrate these successes, we also recognise that there is more work to do. Our commitment to supporting healthier farming communities remains stronger than ever.
I invite you to explore this Year in Review and learn more about the people, partnerships and programs that have helped shape another successful year for NCFH. Thank you for being part of our journey and for supporting our vision of thriving, healthy farming communities across Australia.
For more information, please contact:
Alison Kennedy – Director, National Centre for Farmer Health
P: 03 5551 8533 | M: 0407 549 970 | E: alison.kennedy@wdhs.net
Thriving on the Land – August 2026 update
What you need to know in farmer health, wellbeing and safety from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- Shifting Gears: The results are in from the last two years!
- Now recruiting for NCFH Board members
- Not just a little prick: ABC radio interview on needlestick injuries
- Farmsafe Australia’s Safer Farms 2026 report released
- MOST: Free mental health support for young people
- Upcoming events
- Tony and Angela Kealy: Healthy farmers make stronger families and safer farms
View the August 2026 e-newsletter
Do you want to receive our monthly e-news? Click here to subscribe!
Supporting the people behind the produce
NCFH Partner Impact in Action: Udder Delights
For more than 25 years, Udder Delights has remained committed to producing high-quality artisan cheese while maintaining strong, direct relationships with the dairy farmers who supply their milk. What began as a small family business has grown into a recognised name in Australia’s speciality cheese industry, without losing sight of its roots.
Recognising the importance of supporting the people behind their products, Udder Delights partnered with the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) to contribute to farmer wellbeing in a meaningful and visible way.
Pictured: Udder Delights General Manager Daniel Bryant.
“In a challenging financial climate impacted by uncertainty with fuel supply and other pressures, the programs that the NCFH runs are more important than ever.”
Through a dedicated Udder Delights x NCFH cheese range, including Double Cream and Triple Cream Brie, 20 cents from every wheel sold is donated to the NCFH. This model ensures that consumers play a direct role in supporting farmer health with every purchase.
“Consumers can see that by choosing one of our branded cheeses, they are directly supporting what the NCFH stands for,” Udder Delights General Manager Daniel Bryant says.
“Putting a tangible figure on our partnership with the NCFH is important for consumers to understand that this isn’t simply ‘marketing talk’, but there is a direct financial contribution to a charity that aligns with our values.”
The partnership reflects Udder Delights’ broader commitment to its farming network.
“We values our partnerships with our farmers incredibly highly, and we have long-standing relationships with them,” Daniel explains. “With initiatives like our NCFH partnership, as well as our ‘Single Herd’ concept, we put a public-facing focus on these relationships.”
Celebrating our farmers
Over the past two years, Udder Delights has contributed more than $20,000 to support NCFH programs, including Health and Lifestyle Assessments delivered to farmers across regional communities. As David explains, supporting farmer wellbeing is a natural extension of the organisation’s role within the dairy industry.
“The dairy industry is so varied… but regardless of scale, there is a universal feeling of appreciation for the work that farmers do to supply the raw materials for us to process.”
The partnership between Udder Delights and the National Centre for Farmer Health demonstrates how purpose-led collaboration can translate everyday consumer choices into meaningful, on-the-ground impact, supporting healthier farmers, stronger farming businesses, and more resilient rural communities.
More information
See more Partner Impact in Action case studies
Investing in dairy community wellbeing
NCFH Partner Impact in Action: Gardiner Foundation
For more than 25 years, the Gardiner Foundation has focused on strengthening the Victorian dairy industry by investing in initiatives that support farmers, their businesses and their communities.
Today, the Gardiner Foundation brings together dairy farmers, researchers, industry bodies and dairy communities seeking to address shared challenges. It plays a key role as a strategic investor, backing programs that deliver long-term benefit across the sector.
Pictured: Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron.
“Over the years, we have seen first-hand what happens when farmers access the right health and wellbeing support at a critical time.”
Recognising the increasing pressures facing dairy farmers, including financial uncertainty, seasonal variability and social isolation, the Gardiner Foundation has partnered with the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) since the early 2000s to support practical, evidence-based wellbeing initiatives.
For the Gardiner Foundation, supporting farmer wellbeing is seen as critical to the future of the dairy industry.
“We cannot have a thriving dairy industry without healthy, resilient farm families. Farmers are the backbone of our rural communities and our supply chains, and the pressures they carry are often invisible. Wellbeing is not a soft issue – it is a productivity issue, a succession issue and a community survival issue,” CEO Allan Cameron says.
The partnership strongly aligns with Gardiner Foundation’s long-term focus on sustainable, community-led change.
“The NCFH’s work is grounded in the real experience of farm life, the seasonal rhythms, the financial volatility, the geographic isolation and the cultural norms that can make farmers reluctant to seek help. What resonates most with us is the NCFH’s commitment to meeting farmers where they are, and its dedication to building lasting capability within farming communities rather than delivering short-term fixes.”
Getting Victorian dairy farmers Back on Track
Through its $492,000 investment in Back on Track, the Gardiner Foundation is helping to strengthen early intervention and peer support, enabling farmers to access support before challenges reach a crisis point.
“We chose to fund the project because we could see that the NCFH was seeking to create an evidence-based, peer-supported intervention for farmers that could genuinely change lives. It is about addressing mental health in a way that is accessible to farmers – practical, non-clinical and delivered through trusted and familiar people,” Allan explains.
“Dairy farming is one of the most demanding vocations there is, and the challenges you face – financial, climatic, personal – are real and significant. But you are not alone. There are people that understand those challenges and are there to help. Programs like Back on Track are being developed because the industry recognises that your health and wellbeing matter, not just to you and your family, but to the whole community in which you live.
“We hope the results of the feasibility trial will unlock further investment, enabling more farmers to access peer support and creating stronger, more connected communities across our dairy regions.”
Looking ahead, the Gardiner Foundation sees opportunity to embed wellbeing as a core part of dairy industry practice.
“The evidence from projects like Back on Track needs to be gathered, shared and applied across the broader dairy industry. We are keen to work with the NCFH to understand what is working well, where the gaps remain and how projects like Back on Track might be modelled, adapted and scaled for different communities.
“Ultimately, we want to see a Victorian dairy sector where mental health and wellbeing support is as routine and accessible as agronomic or financial advice, and collaborations like this one are how we get there.”
The partnership between Gardiner Foundation and the NCFH highlights how long-term investment and collaboration can strengthen communities and support the health and resilience of the dairy sector.
“Farmer wellbeing programs take time to build trust, reach the people who need them most, and demonstrate lasting impact. NCFH has the credibility, the expertise and the reach to deliver outcomes.”
More information
See more Partner Impact in Action case studies
Growing connected, healthy rural communities
NCFH Partner Impact in Action: Fat Farmers
Founded in 2012 as a grassroots initiative between three farmers going to the gym, today, Fat Farmers has grown into an organisation with a national reach and a clear mission to inspire rural communities to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.
In an industry where the focus is often on caring for livestock and crops, the organisation is helping shift the narrative toward prioritising personal health.
Pictured: Fat Farmers CEO Richard Sheppy
“Our motivation comes from the positive impact stories that we hear from our group attendees and their families. We know we are making a difference to the lives of people across rural Australia.”
For Fat Farmers CEO Richard Sheppy, changing attitudes toward health in rural communities is essential.
“Self-care is crucial… organisations such as Fat Farmers, Active Farmers and the National Centre for Farmer Health can play a part in helping shift the narrative,” he said.
Recognising the challenges facing farmers, including isolation, limited access to health care and increasing uncertainty, Fat Farmers has partnered with the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) to extend its impact.
“We are ‘connectors’ and not ‘clinicians’, so the decision to partner with the NCFH to deliver farmer Health and Lifestyle Assessments has been an easy one,” Richard explains.
Through this partnership, the NCFH’s evidence-based programs are delivered via Fat Farmers’ mobile Health Hub at field days and community events, bringing practical health services directly to farmers.
“A collaborative mindset is key… partnering with the NCFH allows us to build our community reach while supporting programs backed by research.”
Working together to maximise impact
At the heart of the partnership is a shared vision to create healthier farming communities. Fat Farmers provides a safe and familiar space for engagement, helping amplify the reach and impact of NCFH programs.
“When people see Fat Farmers at events, they know they can come and connect in a safe space, this helps extend the reach of NCFH programs.”
Looking ahead, Richard sees collaboration as key to achieving greater impact across rural Australia.
“We should be able to demonstrate that when organisations like ours work together, we can deliver impact and value that others seek to replicate.”
For farmers and industry supporters, the message is clear: “We are a grassroots organisation with our feet firmly in the bush, we understand the complexities farmers face because we are farmers.”
The partnership between Fat Farmers and the NCFH highlights how collaboration, trust and shared purpose can strengthen communities and support the long-term health and wellbeing of rural Australia.
More information
See more Partner Impact in Action case studies
Embedding hearing health in agriculture
NCFH Partner Impact in Action: Deafness Forum Australia
Deafness Forum Australia’s partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) is grounded in a shared commitment to improving the health, wellbeing and safety of farming communities.
Recognising the NCFH’s trusted presence within agriculture, the collaboration provides a powerful platform to embed hearing health where it is needed most.
Pictured: Deafness Forum Australia CEO Rhonda Locke.
“Rather than creating something separate, we saw an opportunity to integrate hearing health into a platform that already reaches the people who need it most.”
At the heart of the partnership between Deafness Forum Australia and the NCFH is a focus on prevention, education and real-world impact. By embedding hearing health into programs such as Shifting Gears, which engages young people entering agriculture, the initiative ensures that health messages are not only delivered, but applied in practical, everyday settings.
The Hearing Safety in Agriculture module complements the existing Shifting Gears teaching resources, which includes a video, three additional activities and suggested discussions for teachers to have important conversations with their students.
“This partnership allows us to move from advocacy into action,” Deafness Forum Australia CEO Rhonda Locke says. “We’re not just raising awareness, we’re contributing to long-term behaviour change.”
Hearing safety remains an often-overlooked issue in agriculture, where it is frequently accepted as part of the job. Deafness Forum Australia is working to challenge this perception by ensuring education is relevant, practical and grounded in the realities of farming life.
A key focus is early intervention. By reaching students through agricultural education and training, the partnership aims to normalise hearing protection from the beginning of a farming career, rather than trying to correct habits later.
As Rhonda notes, “Hearing loss in agriculture is often seen as part of the job, but it doesn’t have to be. Small, consistent actions taken early can make a significant difference over time. Protecting your hearing is part of protecting your livelihood, your independence and your connection to others.”
Partnerships that understand the communities they serve
Looking ahead, there is an opportunity to further integrate hearing health into broader farm safety conversations, reinforcing its importance alongside other critical health and wellbeing priorities.
Together, Deafness Forum Australia and NCFH demonstrate how strategic collaboration can translate shared purpose into practical outcomes, embedding hearing health into farming life and supporting safer, more resilient rural communities.
“The NCFH brings together research, education and lived experience in a way that creates real impact. Partnerships like this show what is possible when expertise is shared and solutions are built collaboratively.”
More information
See more Partner Impact in Action case studies
Strengthening farmer health, wellbeing and safety
NCFH Partner Impact in Action: Advantage Feeders
Advantage Feeders has long been committed to supporting Australian livestock and sheep farmers through innovation, research, and practical solutions.
When it came to supporting farmer wellbeing, Advantage Feeders chose the National Centre for Farmer Health as a partner.
Pictured: Advantage Feeders Founder and CEO Gerard Roney.
“The National Centre for Farmer Health is the organisation most aligned with us in supporting the people that support us – farmers.”
Through the partnership to date, Advantage Feeders has contributed over $35,000 in support, including $11,699 in donated proceeds. These funds help the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) deliver health checks, research, and programs that make a real difference to farmers and their communities.
“Commodity farming comes with many challenges. Our support helps the NCFH provide practical, proactive wellbeing programs to keep farmers healthy and resilient,” Gerard said.
Gerard emphasises the importance of supporting farmer wellbeing, observing that in commodity farming there are few areas of control. Fluctuations in the weather, input costs and commodity prices can also have a significant impact.
“These challenges can make the lows farmers experience particularly difficult, underscoring the value of programs like the NCFH in providing practical, evidence-based support.”
Advantage: Farmer health
Advantage Feeders’ commitment demonstrates how their partnership enables NCFH’s priorities come to life in practice, supporting stronger, healthier farming communities.
“You deal with down-to-earth people with integrity and passion about their mission – it’s simple to contribute and be part of something meaningful.”
Looking ahead, Gerard sees that if the NCFH expands its programs, their partnership could help more farmers access vital support and services.
“If the NCFH expands, our support could help farmers in more regions, including those further from their physical base.”
For farmers and industry supporters, Advantage Feeders’ message is clear:
“All farmers face challenges, but mechanisms of support exist. The NCFH provides practical, evidence-based programs to help farmers respond and stay healthy, and our partnership is one way we contribute to that impact.”
The partnership between Advantage Feeders and the NCFH underscores how focused support and aligned purpose can strengthen farming communities, enhance wellbeing, and contribute to a healthier more resilient agricultural sector.