General News
7 July, 2026
Community gather for event
Improving farmers’ wellbeing was the goal behind a commu-nity lunch and show held in Dunolly last month.
The Dunolly Gilbert and Sullivan Society hosted a social event at the Dunolly Anglican St John’s Church on June 20.
Local farmers enjoyed a light lunch, catered for by the Dunolly and District Community Centre, along-side music performed by acappella group Four Tune.
The Dunolly Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s Rachel Buckley said the event’s main focus was wellbeing during stressful times.
“It’s nice if we can get that word out to farmers that you are appre-ciated and we haven’t forgotten you,” she said.
Ms Buckley organised a “feel good” event that connected farmers to available support.
“It was an experiment and I was thrilled with the way it went,” she said.
The event was funded by the State Government, through the Look Over the Farm Gate community grants program, and administered by the National Centre for Farmer Health.
Their aim was to empower local organisations to support the unique needs of nearby farmers and farming families.
Ms Buckley said locally there’s a generation of farmers who put on a brave face when life gets tough — whether it’s from bushfire, drought, or financial pressures.
“Farmers tend to have that mentality. They don’t like to reach out and say they need help,” she said.
Ms Buckley said she tried to crack this mentality by luring people in with free food and entertainment.
“I knew if I said come along to a talk about farmer’s health nobody would come,” she said.
It ended with attendees talking to one another, a standing ovation, and leaving with a brochure on farmer health.
“This is a start,” she said.
Ms Buckley has long been involved with music and performance more broadly.
She said music is a bridge for communication.
“You can be completely opposite but when you get together over neutral territory, like music, it builds a bridge,” she said.
“Everyone leaves with a smile on their face and that’s what it’s about.”