Buchan will host a powerful event for the communities of far East Gippsland.
The Just a Farmer Movie and Fun Day, starting at 2pm, aims to enable authentic conversations around mental health and the challenges faced in rural areas while connecting residents from across the region. Organisers hope to introduce available support services in an informal setting while enjoying a movie, dinner and music on the big screen at the Buchan Hall.
Just A Farmer brings communities together, raising mental health awareness and appreciation for farmers, has earned numerous accolades, including best narrative feature at the Iris Global Health Film Festival and the audience choice award at the Saint-Tropez Antipodes Film Festival.
Since its release, Just A Farmer has not only captured the hearts of international audiences but also sparked much needed conversations about the mental health challenges faced by farmers in rural Australia.
With the financial support of East Gippsland Shire Council, Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, Buchan Neighbourhood House, Catholic Care and Rural Financial Counselling Service and the Buchan Bush Nursing Association, the event will showcase the
Just a Farmer movie, a compelling drama by VAM Paddock Productions that portrays the impact of suicide on rural Australian families.
As part of a post movie panel discussion, selected panelists will start the conversations about farmer health and services available to them in the region.
With a desire to deliver the movie’s messages to their local community members; the Buchan Bush Nursing Association, Buchan Neighbourhood House and East Gippsland Mental Health and Wellbeing Local have put in place a plan to deepen the mental health discussions being had across the High Country; an already incredibly resilient region who over the years have regularly managed bushfire threats, floods, drought, power and communication tower outages, road blockages, and general
disruption of services.
Drawing on available resources and networks, as resilient people do, the four advocates for mental health recruited Catholic Care to assist them and held an online meeting with the organisers of the Benambra Just A Farmer event held late last year providing valuable feedback from their experience. The Rural Financial Counselling Service has also joined the team that are bringing this gathering together.
Event Highlights
– 2pm movie screening: The focal point of the evening, offered in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.
– Separate children’s activities during screening: giving parents the opportunity to watch the screening. Bookings are essential by Monday, March 24, contacting Buchan Bush Nursing Association.
– 4pm live music: Local duo will provide some easy listening tunes.
– 5.30pm catering: Residents will be treated to a free dinner.
Recognising the geographic diversity of the region and bringing together community members who reside in surrounding areas to join Buchan for this great opportunity, a bus service has been made available from Orbost, Bruthen and Gelantipy to Buchan with stops along the way but you must book by Monday, March 24, by contacting Buchan Neighbourhood House.
