Rain not a dampener for Mingenew Expo

Updated August 20 2019 - 7:15pm, first published 3:00pm
Watheroo farmer Brad Millsteed (left) and former West Coast Eagle Mark LeCras showed off their cooking talents on the Paddock to Plate main stage.
Watheroo farmer Brad Millsteed (left) and former West Coast Eagle Mark LeCras showed off their cooking talents on the Paddock to Plate main stage.
 West Coast Eagles goal kicking goliath and Check Mate ambassador Josh Kennedy (left) spent time in the Check Mate Men's Mental Health Initiative stand at the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo with Mingenew Resource Centre co-ordinator Candice Lupton, WA Primary Health Alliance co-ordinator Jacki Ward, who is overseeing the suicide prevention trial for the Mid West and Elizabeth Lockyer, WA Country Health Services promotions co-ordinator. Having grown up in Northampton, Mr Kennedy said it was critical to have mental health support and services, not just in the city, but also available to people in rural areas. "Men are not very good at talking about their issues because it is seen as a sign of weakness, but we have to get rid of that sort of stigma," he said. "Men need to know there are networks in place they can go to and people they can talk to. Farmers, in particular, are often quite isolated and they come under a lot of stress and strain because they are dealing with things they can't control, like the weather. In my industry I can pretty much control everything I do, but they can't. Even if I have an injury, I can be in control of my rehab, but for farmers it is very different and they can often feel like they are letting their family down, which puts more strain on everyone." Check Mate provides information on what services are available in regional towns, education including workshops for men and training for key community members and support in the form of regular sundowners.
West Coast Eagles goal kicking goliath and Check Mate ambassador Josh Kennedy (left) spent time in the Check Mate Men's Mental Health Initiative stand at the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo with Mingenew Resource Centre co-ordinator Candice Lupton, WA Primary Health Alliance co-ordinator Jacki Ward, who is overseeing the suicide prevention trial for the Mid West and Elizabeth Lockyer, WA Country Health Services promotions co-ordinator. Having grown up in Northampton, Mr Kennedy said it was critical to have mental health support and services, not just in the city, but also available to people in rural areas. "Men are not very good at talking about their issues because it is seen as a sign of weakness, but we have to get rid of that sort of stigma," he said. "Men need to know there are networks in place they can go to and people they can talk to. Farmers, in particular, are often quite isolated and they come under a lot of stress and strain because they are dealing with things they can't control, like the weather. In my industry I can pretty much control everything I do, but they can't. Even if I have an injury, I can be in control of my rehab, but for farmers it is very different and they can often feel like they are letting their family down, which puts more strain on everyone." Check Mate provides information on what services are available in regional towns, education including workshops for men and training for key community members and support in the form of regular sundowners.
Elders Mingenew livestock agent Ross Tyndale-Powell (left) and branch manager Jarrad Kupsch (right) with the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo 2019 Young Farmer champion Jack Chanpromarat, WA College of Agriculture, Morawa.
Elders Mingenew livestock agent Ross Tyndale-Powell (left) and branch manager Jarrad Kupsch (right) with the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo 2019 Young Farmer champion Jack Chanpromarat, WA College of Agriculture, Morawa.

SOLID rainfall just after the official opening of the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo put smiles on the faces of many across the district last Wednesday morning.

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