General News
18 March, 2025
Movie brings tough subjects to surface
Movie screenings were brought back to Warracknabeal Town Hall in an afternoon with Australian film 'Just a Farmer' playing on the big screen.
The Fat Farmers Rural Health Initiative organised the free community event to help raise awareness of mental health and resilient communities.
Organiser Justin Knorpp said the response from the community was "massive".
"Around 100 to 130 people came, which was wicked," Mr Knorpp said.
"You never really know what sort of response you're going to get with things like this.
"I don't even know the last time a screening was actually done at Warracknabeal Town Hall."
Mr Knorpp said he attended the same movie screening in Nhill last year and saw the great response it received.
"That's where the idea came from," he said.
The event also consisted of a Q&A panel afterwards where 'Just a Farmer' writer and actress Leila McDougall spoke alongside Yarriambiack mayor Kylie Zanker, local parademic Teagan Roche, local agribusiness owner Colleen McPherson and victim survivor Trudi Weir.
"The ladies did amazingly," Mr Knorpp said.
"The Q&A went well – some were quiet and caught up in the movie."
He said the movie explored raw and powerful themes which could have been triggers for some people who attended.
"It was strong for some but they enjoyed it," Mr Knorpp said.
Local sponsors came together to support the event, helping it to cross the finish line.
"We needed the sponsors to be able to go ahead," he said.
"I'm very thankful to the community for coming along.
"Hopefully everyone took someone away from it to help break the stigma and create conversations around mental health."
It is believed that one farmer dies every 10 days in Australia due to suicide.
Mr Knorrp expressed his thanks to locals Nadine Jenkinson and Colleen McPherson for decorating the town hall for the occassion.
Local Country Women's Association members put on a supper spread after the panel session finished, allowing attendees to mingle.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for 24/7 help.
There are many local services ready to help including Rural Northwest Health (5396 1200), Grampians Community Health (5358 7400), Headspace Horsham (5381 1543) and local GPs.
