Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News

Farmers affected by the Blackford fire have reflected on the tragic event and its impact on their mental health.

Farmers affected by the Blackford fire have reflected on the tragic event and its impact on their mental health.

The MacKillop Farm Management Group recently held a ‘Fire and Beyond’ event in Lucindale, where local landholders shared some of their experiences and outlooks for the future.

Sheep producers Janelle and Nick Edwards saw half their property, known as The Washpool, destroyed by the Blackford fire.

Mr Edwards said it was encouraging to see some new vegetation starting to sprout.

“There’s certainly lots of good things that are happening,” he said. “The day-to-day farming continues, so you’ve just got to keep going really.”

Mrs Edwards said the generosity of volunteers and local businesses had been “incredible”.

“The thing that has got us through is the community support,” she said.

“When we had people from BlazeAid arriving to work on the farm, it helped me get out of bed.”

The couple lost more than 500 sheep in the blaze, and had PIRSA assess which injured stock were to be euthanised.

Mrs Edwards said the loss of livestock and wildlife still “tore her apart”.

“I’m really pleased that other people were around to make those decisions for me, because I couldn’t do it,” she said.

Seriston Pastoral Company sheep and cattle stud farmer Anthony Hurst also said support from community groups had been crucial over the past eight months.

“Just having them there and knowing they’ve got your back and someone to talk to, they’ve been fantastic,” Mr Hurst said.

The fire claimed about 100 of his sheep, 15 cattle, and more than 30 kilometres of fencing.

Mr Hurst recalled receiving visits from the Red Cross soon after the fire, who wanted to talk about mental health support.

He said he initially rejected their offer as he thought it a “waste of time”, but later agreed.

“They’re actually just there to have a chat and give you a few ideas and tips,” Mr Hurst said.

“It was a way of them seeing where we were mentally and giving us the support if we needed it.”

Mr Hurst said a critical part of his recovery was taking days off from restoration work on the farm to see friends and family.

“We all say ‘yep we’re fine’, but I think over time it wears you down a little bit and you’ve got to get away and have a break,” he said.

“You’ve got to keep socialising, you can’t shut everyone out.”

Mr Hurst said he was trying to focus on some of the useful outcomes from the fire, such as new machinery and fencing.

“I try not to look backwards too often,” he said.

“Painful as it is, there’s a lot of positives that actually can come out of something like this if you’re thinking in the right mindset.”

Penola farmer Ben Brooksby, otherwise known as The Naked Farmer, also shed some light on fire recovery at the event.

The Naked Farmer organisation encourages people, particularly isolated farmers, to have open discussions about mental health.

Mr Brooksby talked about his own struggles with anxiety and depression, which came to a head when his family home burnt down a few years ago.

“I lost absolutely everything that day,” he said. “It was rock bottom.”

Having now rebuilt his home, he encouraged locals to keep looking “forward”.

“Grab whatever positives you can and just run with them,” Mr Brooksby said.

“Try not to look back too much or dwell on the things that you’ve lost, it’s an opportunity to start fresh.”

Mr Brooksby also highlighted the importance of accepting support from friends and family after such a tragic event.

“People want to help, accept the help,” he said.

“Months on that help may dwindle off, but that sense of community never will.”

He also outlined common signs of a person experiencing depression – such as withdrawing from friends, lack of interest in previous passions, or a change in appetite – and urged the audience to reach out to anyone struggling.

“Be a mate, ask how they’re going, and keep checking up on them,” Mr Brooksby said.

“Make sure you’re always open and welcoming.

“Don’t ever judge, just listen and try to get them any help they might need.”

If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 8 September 2021.