Friday 3 February 2023
5pm to 8pm - Rutherglen Memorial Hall, 150 High Street Rutherglen
Hosted by Indigo Shire Council and Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal
Download the flyer here
The Flood Recovery Expo will be a relaxed evening where industry partners and the agriculture community can come together to share information and support following what has been a difficult few months with floods.
The evening will be highlighted by guest speaker, Mary O'Brien from Are You Bogged Mate? Mary was raised on a sheep and cattle station in South West Queensland. She is a passionate advocate for all sectors of agriculture and has a deep understanding of the diverse challenges faced by rural communities.
Since 1992, Mary has lived on the Darling Downs and during this time she has worked with a variety of agricultural industries including, row cropping, grazing, intensive livestock, horticulture, viticulture and commercial apiaries, to name just a few.
Mary is well known within the broadacre farming sector where she is one of the leading experts in Australia on spray application technology and spray drift management. Her work in this space has taken her to most of the broadacre farming regions in Australia as well as to the United States and Canada to provide training and advice.
A few years ago, the Darling Downs region tragically lost two men to suicide in a short space of time and the sadness surrounding this prompted Mary to speak up about rural men’s mental health and write an article called "Are you bogged mate?". The incredible response to this article from the rural sector, particularly men, has led to the creation of the "Are You Bogged Mate?" program.
Mary has a unique insight into what makes country blokes tick and through the analogy of ‘getting bogged’, she is extending a hand to all rural men. Mary aims to reduce rural male suicide by breaking down the stigma, making blokes feel understood and by providing women with insights into how blokes communicate.
Rural communities everywhere continue to lose men to suicide and many more struggle in silence. Mary uses analogies and humour to explain mental health in a way that is relatable and resonates with rural people.
SCHEDULE
5:00pm to 6:30pm - Expo commences with information stalls, industry partner representatives and networking opportunities
6:30-8:00pm - Guest speaker - Mary O'Brien from Are You Bogged Mate?
Light meal will be provided throughout the evening.
For further information, please contact the Economic Development Team at Indigo Shire Council on (03) 5728 8000 or via email ecodev@indigoshire.vic.gov.au