For many men, the pressure to ‘keep it together’ during the Christmas can feel like an impossible task. Research shows that men are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, with men accounting for 75% of suicides in Australia.

The holiday season can push many to breaking point, especially for those in high-risk groups, and men facing relationship or financial difficulties.

As Australia transitions towards renewable energy sources, farmers and rural communities are facing unexpected and significant challenges. While wind farms, solar farms, and mineral sand mining projects offer financial opportunities, they also bring with them complex social and mental health issues. In regions targeted for these developments, the introduction of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure is having a profound effect on the daily lives of farmers, their families, and their communities.

For generations, fire circles have held a special place in human history. They’ve been the heart of connection, a place for storytelling, and a powerful source of healing. In today’s world, they offer something deeply valuable, particularly for men who may struggle with their mental health. Fire circles provide a unique environment to break down the emotional barriers that often keep men from reaching out to others. It’s an opportunity to connect, share, and heal, all while sitting around a fire with mates.

Grief and loss are experiences that touch every person’s life at some point. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a cherished relationship, or the loss of familiar routines, these events evoke profound emotions that shape our lives. This week, I face the significant loss of my cousin, who is more than just family; he is a confidant, a supporter of my work, a connector of our family, and a true mate. This recent loss deepens my understanding of grief and its complexities, reminding me of the emotional landscape I navigated after the losing my Mum.

Over recent weeks I have have had many communities reaching out to me to share my story, some hope and strategies as they find themselves in the midst of a really tough season, are dealing with the unpredictability of the season ahead or have been impacted by policy change, or industry downturn or unrest.

Agriculture is a tough game that requires a lot of pieces of the puzzle to fall into place, a journey I know too well.

Supporting mental health in farming communities involves a web of stakeholders—government, organisations, and the communities themselves—aligning their efforts. At the grassroots level, we must develop a range of tools and support networks that not only bolster individual mental health but also empower us to support one another.

Today, on International Rural Women's Day, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible contributions women make not only to agriculture but also to the very fabric of rural communities across Australia. In my journey working with, presenting to, and speaking with women in the bush, I have been continually inspired by their passion, commitment, and resilience.

These women are not only farmers; they are community leaders, educators, and advocates. They often take on roles that ensure the survival and prosperity of their rural communities. From organising local events to volunteering for local initiatives, rural women are the backbone of community spirit. They are the ones who nurture not only their families but also their communities, ensuring that local traditions and connections remain vibrant.

After a recent visit to Swan Hill College I want to deeper look into the conversations had with students during my presentation and explore at the landscape of education in rural Australia. It's clear that students in Years 10, 11, and 12 face a unique set of challenges that can significantly impact their mental health and well-being. With the pressures of adolescence compounded by geographical and social factors, it's vital to foster resilience and provide robust support systems that empower our young people to thrive.

An Employee Assistance Program is a confidential support service designed to help employees deal with various personal and work-related challenges. EAPs offer access to professional counseling, resources, and tools to tackle issues such as stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and workplace conflicts. Think of it as a safety net—one that’s there to catch you when life throws its curveballs.

I know it can feel overwhelming sometimes, especially when the problems we’re facing seem so big. But it’s not about fixing everything all at once. It’s about taking those small steps, one at a time, and one of the easiest—and most powerful—steps is to check in with the people around you.

You don’t need to wait for someone to ask for help. Often, the ones who need it the most are the ones who aren’t saying a word. Checking in is a way to remind them they don’t have to carry the weight alone. You’re there for them, just as they’d be there for you.

As someone who has spent my life on the land, I’ve seen what droughts, floods, and bushfires can do to a community. It’s not just about the crops and livestock that get wiped out—it goes much deeper. It gets personal. When your whole life is tied to the land, the relentless hits don’t just shake your livelihood, they rattle your sense of self. They test your resilience in ways most people can’t imagine.

I’ve been there. I’ve watched the skies for rain that didn’t come. I’ve felt the gut-punch of losing everything you’ve worked for when disaster strikes. And I’ve lived the mental and emotional toll that comes with that.

For rural communities like ours, these challenges are a way of life. Droughts that stretch on for years, floods that tear apart homes and livelihoods, and bushfires that reduce everything to ash—they’re a cruel reality that keeps coming back. But the damage isn’t just physical. The real struggle happens in the mind and heart, where stress, anxiety, and depression start to take over. Farmers, families, and communities buckle under the weight of it all, and it feels like there’s no end in sight.

When you’re out in the middle of nowhere, far from the services and support that people in the city take for granted, it’s easy to feel isolated. The truth is, we’re often left on our own to deal with the fallout. Sure, there’s government support and programs, but the reality is that help can be inconsistent. One year there’s funding, the next there’s not. You might have a mental health worker in town one month, and they’re gone the next. It’s hard to build any kind of stability when the help you need comes and goes like the wind.

And when it comes to mental health, that inconsistency can be devastating. The stress of wondering if you’ll get the help you need when you’re at breaking point just adds to the load we’re already carrying. But we can’t wait around for the system to fix itself. Out here, we’ve learned that if you don’t look after each other, no one else will.

16 locations in 20 days across regional WA was professionally and personally one of the most rewarding project I have ever been involved in.

Blue Trees are scattered around Australia and the world serve as a visual reminder to check in with yourself and your mates.

They are a symbol to stand strong and be able to branch out to someone you trust.

Next month I am hitting the road with the Blue Tree Project for a regional tour of Western Australia.

The escalating violence and murders of women shines a light directly on men's mental health, the need to understand why men act like this, and to tackle toxic masculinity in this country. It also highlights the essential role every male must play to contribute to halting domestic violence. Whether it’s in the home, community, or workplace, as males, we can no longer be bystanders to poor behaviour directed towards women. We need to take a stand, call out our mates, and change the narrative.

After travelling to the Northern Territory for a speaking gig, it was a reminder that the Mental health and wellbeing of our first nations people needs to become a priority across our country, Australians need to be aware that the welfare of our first nations people is a humanitarian crisis.

It is sad and embarrassing as a white Australia, to see the cultural heartbeat of our country so broken, and as I walked the streets of Darwin begged the question, what needs to be done to rectify this?

While Australia is relatively immune to mass killings like the tragedy that occurred at Bondi Junction’s Westfield Shopping Centre on Saturday, we’re not strangers to violence against women. This tragic event along with the recent death of Hannah McGuire, once again reminds us of the need for urgent action to curb the gender-based violence epidemic that is plaguing this country.

‘Just a Farmer’ transcends traditional cinema authentically portraying the challenges and triumphs of resilient farmer in rural Australia the cinematic journey amplifies the often overlooked voices of rural communities and sheds light on mental health struggles it's more than a movie it's a dedicated movement creating awareness dismantling stigma zone impacting the well-being of rural Australia just a farmer breaks new ground fostering understanding assuring individuals they don't face their darkness alone.

Today TIACS launched a new initiative to get farmers talking about how they are travelling.

Don't Keep It Under Your Hat.

Thank you to the team at TIACS and Redsuit Advertising for valuing my my insights enough for me to have input into the designing of this important campaign.

Inspiring conversation is part of my mission and I am sure this campaign will do that.

Natural disasters come at enormous financial cost to the producer, with estimated losses between 40 and 100%, leaving farmers with no income. High input prices, strict policy regulation, and low farm gate prices only add to the pain. Some producers have experienced multiple events, leaving them in a precarious position.

As more natural disasters unfold, flooding in Far North Queensland and regional Victoria, and bushfires in WA, stories of survival and heroic deeds see us quick to label these local communities as resilient.

But what happens beyond the news cycle?

I continue to explore my own mental health and wellbeing. By working in communities across Australia, I then gain a greater understanding of the pressures and stress people can face.

Therefore, the clearer it becomes that we need to take a holistic approach with our mental health and our general wellbeing. The same too for combating stress and burnout.

Be sure to aim to make your Unbreakable Wheel of Wellbeing as balanced as possible. This will make you more resilient to the challenges our fast paced and ever-changing world will throw at you.