Kristin Murdock, Naracoorte Community News
While farming is traditionally seen as a physical occupation, the increased modernisation of machinery has meant farmers are becoming less physically active in their day-to-day tasks.
And while many younger farmers take part in community sport, older farmers are particularly at risk of health problems around an increasingly sedentary life.
This was the impetus in 2010 for Yorke Peninsula farmers Greg Hean, Ben Wundersitz and Scott Hoyle to start going to their local gym in Maitland.
They were all over 40 and joked about becoming “Fat Farmers” now they were no longer playing footy.
The name stuck as the Maitland group grew and gradually other communities got involved. Fast forward 13 years and the group has grown from one small gathering to 14 groups across SA and also one in Moama in NSW.
However, there is a big gap in the map in the South East area and the Fat Farmers: Rural Health Initiative (as the organisation is now known) is looking to fill it with farmers and friends keen to improve their fitness levels.
“We have Fat Farmer groups dotted across the state and the emphasis is on creating community-led weekly fitness groups that cater for a variety of fitness levels. We have groups that include everyone from school children to retirees but some are “men only” it just depends on demand and interest in each community,” Tessa Colliver, Fat Farmer Executive Officer said.
Each of the groups has a volunteer Team Coordinator to keep things organised and represent the group at bi-annual team meetings. Usually this is the person who gets the group started, whether that be a PT or community member.
“Our group structure would not be possible without our Coordinators and we are so grateful for the time they give, week in and week out,” Tessa said.
“We are keen to expand into the South East area as it’s a big farming area and no doubt there are many who could benefit from regular exercise.”
Original member, Ben Wundersitz, is now chairman of the Fat Farmers board and encourages fellow farmers to focus on their health.
“The whole idea of Fat Farmers is to encourage farmers and those living in rural communities to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity,” Ben said.
“The benefits of fitness and just simply getting together with mates is brilliant. We help new groups get going with initial funding and then find the groups pretty much run themselves.”
An annual get together takes place at the City to Bay fun run in Adelaide in September.
“This is always an awesome event,” Tessa said. “We are lucky to have so many great sponsors who really care about farmer health. And especially our major sponsor T-Ports. The City to Bay event is a fabulous day for us to all get together.”
Anyone wishing to be part of a new Fat Farmers fitness group in the south east is encouraged to contact Tessa on 0419 824 122 or email info@fatfarmers.com.
“We even have an easy how-to manual about getting started and plenty of ongoing support,” she said.
For more information on the not-for-profit group check their website fatfarmers.com.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
