The Hunt Is on For Footy’s Favourite Farmer
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The search is on for Footy’s Favourite Farmer in Victoria, with the Labor Government and WorkSafe launching a competition that aims to celebrate the unique role of sports in farming communities while promoting workplace safety on farms.
According to reports, three agricultural workers have already lost their lives in 2023, while in 2022, 568 people working in the sector were injured seriously enough to make a worker’s compensation claim.
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Victorians can nominate a farmer involved in their local country football netball club for a chance to win $10,000 towards safety upgrades for the winner’s farm and another $10,000 for safety improvements or repairs at their club. The competition also aims to recognize the contributions of farmers to their local communities.
AFL superstars Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) and Zach Merrett (Essendon) have shown their support for the competition, endorsing WorkSafe’s message and local clubs like those in Dartmoor and Cobden that gave them their start.
Monthly finalists will be announced from May to July, with the farmer’s local club receiving six footballs and six netballs. On 21 August, one monthly finalist will be crowned the 2023 WorkSafe Footy’s Favourite Farmer.
The competition was launched ahead of WorkSafe’s first Country Club Game of the year between Rochester and Echuca in the Goulburn Valley Football League on 22 April at Rochester Recreation Reserve. Nominations are open until 26 July, and Victorians can nominate their favourite local football netball club farmer at countryclubhub.com.au.
In a statement, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Danny Pearson said, “Farmers are a humble bunch, but their contribution to local communities, both on-farm and at their local sports club, deserves recognition. We are proud to support a program that brings country communities together and makes farms safer for workers across the agriculture sector.”
Jeremy Cameron also commented on the competition, saying, “In places like Dartmoor where I grew up, the local footy club is literally the lifeblood of the town—so it’s fantastic to see farmers across the state get the chance to see their name up in lights.”
Meanwhile, Essendon Football Club Captain Zach Merrett expressed his gratitude to WorkSafe for recognizing the importance of farming and supporting farmers through initiatives like the Footy’s Favourite Farmer competition. He also emphasized the importance of working together to ensure the safety and well-being of those who work hard to feed the nation.