Reflection on work placement at NCFH by Tillee Huf
The centre was lucky enough to host Psychology student Tillee Huf for the past four weeks during her work placement. Tillee is in her final year studying for a Bachelor of Psychology at Deakin University. We enjoyed having Tillee on the team and wish her all the best in the future.
Hear from Tillee…
During my four-week placement at the National Centre for Farmer Health, I have been able to give my input in nearly all the projects that the centre is involved in. This has given me an amazing overview of all the work that the centre does, and how the team members work together in different areas of farmer health to improve the wellbeing of farmers in all facets of life.
During the first week, I travelled to Maffra to observe and contribute to a resilience workshop for Agriculture Victoria employees facilitated by my new colleagues Kelly and Lauren. I learnt about how they present workshops and also had the opportunity to participate in the workshop so that I can give them feedback on how the workshop is received as a participant. This was a great experience to have and opened my eyes to some of the work that the employees at the centre do, and what my future career could look like after graduation. The conversations that I had following the workshop with my colleagues were very insightful and I loved hearing about how they presented their workshops and how they could improve for next time, both from a presenter and participant perspective. Travelling with colleagues for work in my first week also gave me the opportunity to learn more about them and network for my future.
In the following weeks, I was involved in a social media campaign for Farm Safety Week, creating captions and putting together photos for the posts. This was a process that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I loved getting creative with Amity, Kylie, and Matilda to come up with our own slogan for our campaign. We focused on posting farm-safe photos which makes farmers more aware of safety on their own farm, in addition to promoting farms as safe environments for others. During this process, I learnt how to use Canva to create and edit the posts for our campaign. It was really rewarding this week to see my work on my own social media feed, and I could see the impact it was having on other farmers.
I also learnt about research and how to format an article for submission before it was published, which was my most difficult task thus far. I had never formatted an article before and was unfamiliar with the programs used to do so. I appreciated the hints from Amity and felt grateful that I could help her with her work and work through the issues independently. I also enjoyed shadowing Amity while we discussed farming policies and practises with some social work students who weren’t from farming backgrounds. This task made me feel proud to be from a farming background, and I enjoyed sharing some of my experiences on the farm with the students which would help them with their learning and understanding the challenges farmers face.
Overall, this experience has been above and beyond what I thought it would be, and I am grateful to all the staff members here at the centre for making me feel welcome and giving me an opportunity to learn a new skill and be involved in their work. My time at the centre has cemented my career path in farmer mental health, and I am grateful for the connections I made whilst on my placement. This experience has made me immensely proud to be a farmer, and I love advocating for people in the farming community both in my circle of neighbouring farmers at home and farmers all over Australia.
Win a Yeti! Complete the Farm Safety Survey to enter
We’re thrilled to announce the official launch of the S3F Agriculture Safety Learning Network! Together, we can create a safer farming environment by developing practical farm safety resources. And guess what? You have a chance to win a fantastic Yeti half-gallon flask!
We need your valuable input to make a real difference. By taking just a few moments to complete our short survey, you’ll provide us with essential insights into the current farm safety measures in place. This knowledge will guide us in focusing our time and resources on minimizing risks for you, your hardworking team, and your beloved family.
Don’t worry, we’ve made it quick and easy for you. The survey consists of only 14 simple questions that most people can complete in just 10 minutes. Your responses will remain completely anonymous, allowing you to share your thoughts and experiences with confidence.
Mark your calendars! Winners of the Yeti half-gallon flask will be notified in July. So don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to contribute to farm safety and have a chance at winning an awesome prize. Click the link below and let’s make a positive impact together!
Farmer Health eNews July 2023
Find out the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- Empower Your Students for Agricultural Success
- Enhancing Understanding and Adoption of Steering Straight
- Protecting Children on Farms: Blog Post
- Understanding Q Fever: Risks, Prevention, and Awareness
- July Events
Do you want to receive our eNews?
Supporting Teachers to Deliver Farm Safety Education: Introducing Shifting Gears
| Hamilton, Victoria, 13/06/2023 – The National Centre for Farmer Health introduces Shifting Gears, an innovative farm health and safety program for schools that is set to revolutionise agricultural education. Developed as a teacher-led, secondary school-based program, Shifting Gears aims to enhance farm safety culture and bridge the gap between agriculture and horticulture studies and the national skills program. Shifting Gears stands out from other initiatives by presenting the broader context of agricultural injury in rural Australia through relatable content tailored specifically for young people. This groundbreaking program promises to provide valuable insights and knowledge for middle and senior school students residing on farms, studying agriculture and horticulture, or exploring careers in the field. Alarming trends have surfaced from recent data collected by the National Centre for Farmer Health about child safety on farms. Statistics from the Gear Up for Ag program show that over half of the participants were 8 years old or younger when they began work on the farm. Disturbingly, among those currently riding a quadbike on a farm, only half reported wearing a helmet most or all the time, with 60 percent carrying passengers. Moreover, 72 percent of students expressed concerns about the safety of their family or friends on the farm. Of the students currently helping or working on farms, 47 percent state they supervise others, primarily siblings. To address these critical issues, educators are invited to participate in the Shifting Gears education pilot, beginning Term 3 this year. This program is free to participate in, available to schools nationwide, and aims to equip school teachers with the necessary tools and knowledge to integrate the intervention program into their agricultural curriculum. A webinar, led by experts from the National Centre for Farmer Health, will be held on 22nd June from 12:30 – 1:30pm. The webinar will emphasise the significance of incorporating health and safety conversations into teaching practices. Teachers and school representatives interested in the program are encouraged to register on the National Centre for Farmer Health website www.farmerhealth.org.au to explore this exciting resource and become catalysts for positive change in farm safety practices. To engage students effectively, the National Centre for Farmer Health has created unique farm safety audiovisual (AV) materials and digital animations, together with teacher resources and activities for students that capture the essence of the Australian farming experience. These documentary-style AVs connect safety concepts with human health, offering a meaningful and relatable approach for both students and teachers. In addition, digital animations have been designed to convey farm safety theories through a creative and engaging medium. Recognising the importance of classroom support, Shifting Gears offers teachers a range of resources, including health and safety statistics, discussion topics, and activities. These materials are aligned with the AVs, streamlining lesson planning and content sourcing for educators. “This is an exciting opportunity for educators to enhance their agricultural and safety expertise,” says Dr. Alison Kennedy, Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health. “By joining us in the Shifting Gears pilot program, educators can play a vital role in cultivating a culture of safety in the farming community.” Event registration link: https://utm.guru/ufLWm Shifting Gears Pilot Page: Shifting Gears | National Centre for Farmer Health ENDS. For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact: Annabelle Macgugan Marketing Coordinator amacgugan@wdhs.net 0458517699 About the National Centre for Farmer Health: The National Centre for Farmer Health is dedicated to improving the health, safety, and wellbeing of farmers, farmworkers, and their families across Australia. Through research, education, and advocacy, the centre addresses the unique health challenges faced by those working in agriculture and promotes sustainable farming practices. Note to editors: High-resolution images and additional information about Shifting Gears are available upon request. |
Improving the Understanding and Uptake of Steering Straight
The National Centre for Farmer Health are looking for members of the NSW farming community to test and provide feedback about Steering Straight: My Plan to Keep on Track. We are looking for people who can complete the plan (it takes roughly 15 – 30 minutes) and then partake in a short phone interview about 6 weeks later.
This resource aims to help farmers look beyond the endless cycle of tasks to do, and help with reflection, planning for challenges, and preparing for action. The plan has been developed in collaboration with members of our farming communities for farmers to use in their everyday lives.
If you can help us improve the wellbeing of our farming communities, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Brittany Doolan (s223512135@deakin.edu.au) or call the National Centre for Farmer Health on 03 55518533.
This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: 2020-232)
Participant Information Form
Steering Straight: My plan to keep on track
Grampians Health FARMwell Small Community Grants
Grampians Health FARMwell Small Community Grants are available to community members of the Northern Grampians & Pyrenees Shire Councils, to support activities that increase capacity and empower farming communities faced with challenges including environmental, climatic, economic and social stressors, which can present adverse effects on personal health and wellbeing.
Applicants are invited to apply for up to $1000 for a community project, or event, provided the application meets the FARMwell program criteria, focusing on improved health outcomes and strengthening social engagement in farming communities.
FARMwell Small Grants Guidelines:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZpfSlTN4VhX2nqkJG8O8PLL8Z0L5EKQI/view?usp=sharing
To find out more about the grant, please get in touch with Narelle at narelle.conroy@bhs.org.au.
Farmer Health eNews June 2023
Find out the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- Presenting the Introduction Video to Shifting Gears
- Grants empower communities recovering from floods
- Scholarship closing soon for Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities!
- What do you do if you get a needlestick injury?
- June Events
Do you want to receive our eNews?
Calling All LGBTQI+ Community! Improving Heart Disease Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation for Everyone
We need your help to help make the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of heart disease better for everyone.
In Australia, people in rural and remote areas have poorer outcomes in relation to heart disease – and understanding the reason for this is important.
Evidence suggests that system-wide sex biases occur in the assessment and management of coronary heart disease throughout the healthcare journey and that is to the detriment of some members of the LGBTQI+ community. Exactly when and how these biases occur is unclear, which is why we are calling for all members of the LGBTQI+ community who have experienced a coronary heart disease event to reach out and help us understand your experience.
Sharing your experience can help our work to improve the health outcomes of the LGBTQI+ community who have suffered heart disease.
To find out more or share your experience please email James via james.lucas@deakin.edu.au
Calling All Women! Improving Heart Disease Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation for Everyone
We need your help to help make the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of heart disease better for everyone.
In Australia, women suffer poorer health outcomes related to their heart disease compared with similarly affected men. Moreover, people in rural and remote areas have poorer outcomes in relation to heart disease – and understanding the reason for this is important.
Evidence suggests that system-wide sex biases occur in the assessment and management of coronary heart disease throughout the healthcare journey and that is to the detriment of women. Exactly when and how these gendered biases occur is unclear, which is why we are calling for all women who have experienced a coronary heart disease event to reach out and help us understand your experience.
Sharing your experience can help our work to improve the health outcomes of women who have suffered heart disease.
To find out more or share your experience please email James via james.lucas@deakin.edu.au
Farmer Health Shifts the Gears in Safety Resources for Young People
| The National Centre for Farmer Health has launched Shifting Gears – a suite of engaging school-based resources designed to support secondary school teachers to incorporate farm safety education into Agricultural studies. Officially launched at the recent Primary Industries Education Foundation’s Conference for agriculture educators on May 1-2, the content features stories from four diverse agricultural businesses and provides insight into ways safety plays a role in Agriculture today. Shifting Gears is designed for middle and senior school students who are living on farms, studying agriculture and horticulture, undertaking work experience, and/or interested in pursuing a career in this field. It delivers unique, unscripted farm safety audio visual (AV) material for an Australian farming context with documentary-style AVs and digital animations relatable to a young audience – shifting the learning outcomes beyond safety compliance and regulations. Rural Bank’s Head of Agribusiness Development, Andrew Smith, says “we’re proud to support a program specifically tailored to our young and emerging farmers. The skills and information provided will help keep them safe on farm. We know the importance of delivering messages in a relatable way is key to the uptake of learning, and believe that NCFH has been able to achieve this.” Teachers will be provided with classroom materials that complement agriculture and horticulture subjects and the national skills program to bring safety into the conversation and demonstrate what agricultural injury means for families and communities. Dr Alison Kennedy, Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health, says, “Shifting Gears is a unique program that fills a gap in the curriculum.” She said “This is an important step forward. Our aim is to empower young people to be part of creating a farm safety culture that encourages lifelong safe practices in farming.” “Our team are proud to support educators in delivering farm safety education – and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of the program on students, their families and their communities. Thanks to the support of Rural Bank, Shifting Gears videos will be freely accessible on our NCFH website and YouTube channel.” The National Centre for Farmer Health is now calling on schools and educators nationally to register their interest in participating in the Shifting Gears pilot program. To be a part of this exciting new program, please visit the National Centre for Farmer Health website www.farmerhealth.org.au *****ENDS***** About the National Centre for Farmer Health: The National Centre for Farmer Health is a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University, with funding from the Australian Government. The Centre aims to improve the health, wellbeing, and safety of farmers, their families, and communities across Australia. For more information about National Centre for Farmer Health visit www.farmerhealth.org.au For media enquiries contact Dr Amity Latham, Associate Research Fellow (03) 5551 8533 or email: ncfh@wdhs.net Photos available. Please email ncfh@wdhs.net. |
Helping farmers out of the mud webinar now online
Do you recognise the signs exhibited by people suffering from stress and fatigue? How do you respond? Are you aware of the appropriate assistance and helpful resources available to help them through the tough times?
These were just some of points covered by the successful webinars produced and delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) to help agricultural advisors and service providers working with farm families immediately after the floods and the ongoing months of flood recovery.
A recording of this informative webinar, which attracted more than 80 participants, is now available to all on the NCFH website www.farmerhealth.org.au/buildingfarmspirit.
NCFH flood recovery response project officer, Sally Cunningham, said while the floods may seem like so long ago, it is only now that the stress and fatigue of it all will start to take a hold on farmers, farm families and farm workers.
“Service providers and trusted agricultural advisors play a really important role in assisting farmers through the flood recovery journey,” Ms Cunningham said.
“This webinar helped them to recognise and respond to farmer stress, highlighted appropriate assistance and resources available and then reflect on how to protect themselves from risks to their own mental health.”
Ms Cunningham said the National Centre for Farmer Health has posted a video of the popular webinar on its website to meet the demand for this information coming from the wider community across Australia.
“While targeted to agricultural advisors, it will help people to recognise and respond to farmers exhibiting significant signs of stress, learn where to refer farmers for appropriate assistance and helpful resources, and show how to look after yourself when supporting others.”
——– ENDS ——-
Sally Cunningham is available for interview: (03) 5551 8533 or email: sally.cunningham@wdhs.net
Photo: A high res copy of the photo is available on request.
For more information about the National Centre for Farmer Health Flood Response or to access a list of support resources, visit www.farmerhealth.org.au/buildingfarmspirit or contact Project Officer, Sally Cunningham
For more information about National Centre for Farmer Health visit www.farmerhealth.org.au
For media and communications enquiries contact NCFH Marketing Communications Coordinator, Annabelle Macgugan on (03) 5551 8582 or email: amacgugan@wdhs.net
The postgraduate study that can change lives
Scholarships to study Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities are now open. Apply through the link below.
More than ever, agricultural communities need people in their corner. People who understand the true impact of safety culture, changing climate, disasters like drought, flood and disease pandemic, and how changing agricultural practices influence the health and wellbeing of communities. People who are dynamic, understanding and can lead change in their communities…change makers like YOU.
Learn to support health, wellbeing and safety of your rural community – upskill and make a difference your community starting now! Part scholarships worth $1650 are now open to professionals who want to make a difference in their rural community.
“Working with rural and remote communities I believe I have a deeper understating of the mental and physical issues the farming community face thanks to the HMF702 unit. I have been able to ‘think outside the box’ when working with rural communities in supporting them to optimal health and wellbeing.”
Sarah Crosthwaite Social Worker & 2023 Nuffield Scholar, Wodonga VIC
Delivered completely online, Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities (HMF702) offers the flexibility to learn remotely and connect with students from across Australia.