Unbreakable Farmer sharing the weight of the wet
Queensland's primary producers have heard plenty about resilience in recent years.
But when floods, cyclones and bushfires arrive back to back, turning what was once a one-in-a-lifetime event into an annual one, even the toughest among them can run out of reserves.
Warren Davies knows that feeling firsthand. The former dairy and general farmer from northern Victoria battled drought, bushfire and floods before losing the family farm.
Today he turns that experience into support for others, speaking across Australia on leadership under pressure, burnout prevention, decision-making and emotional wellbeing in rural, regional and remote communities.
Over recent months, that work has taken him to Queensland's remote north-west Gulf Savannah region.
Using assistance from the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), Gulf-Savannah Development Inc. has brought Warren to remote stations, council executive tables and informal yarns around the fire pit to share his story and show a way forward.
It's the setting that makes the difference. Warren isn't a visiting expert reading from a script. He's a farmer who has lived through it, and his willingness to share his own raw journey has struck a chord across the region.
Feedback from the community had been overwhelmingly positive with many instances of local residents reaching out to Warren directly during particularly difficult times.
Through these interactions he’s been able to provide support, open up conversations and connect people with other relevant services and supports.
Gulf-Savannah Development’s Unbreakable Farmer program tackles a challenge unique to the bush.
One of the pressures facing remote station workers and pastoralists is the importance of finding trusted, relatable ways to break down the barriers around asking for help.
Those conversations may not show up on a balance sheet, but they represent people who were struggling and chose to reach out.
For communities where the nearest neighbour can be hours away, that first step can change everything.
With another wet season approaching, Warren will return to the Gulf for a fortnight at the end of November.
The visit will include larger station-based workshops, more community events and an expanded program of "Feelgood Feed" gatherings, building on the first events held at Hell's Gate in June.
Disaster recovery isn't only about rebuilding roads, bridges and fences. It's also about looking after the people who live and work to help others through the tough times.
This program is delivered by Gulf-Savannah Development with assistance from the Australian and Queensland governments through the DRFA's Community Recovery and Resilience Program.
