Rebecca Breust is planning on starting a new charity to help farmers across Australia struggling with depression.
REBECCA Breust grew up in a farming family and knows the hardships life on the land can bring.
Now a representative for a pastoral agency, the Bega woman sees the emotional and financial toll farming has on wool growers throughout the South East.
It’s given her the idea to start a charity called Farmers into the Future, designed to help farmers struggling with depression and to talk about the topic of suicide awareness.
Ms Breust said she was shocked to learn the rate of suicide among farm workers was double that of all other professions.
“Statistics like that are heartbreaking,” Ms Breust said.
“I’ve seen it my whole life and I see it in my job - farmers who are struggling and don’t know where to get help and so are suffering in silence.
“You have to deal with drought, fluctuating prices and family issues, it really takes its toll.
“I want to start this charity to give farmers a voice, peace of mind and access to support networks because unless we do there is just no future for farming families.”
To get her charity off the ground Ms Breust wants to hold a fundraising concert and has contacted country singers and entertainers across Australia with her idea.
Managers for Troy Cassar-Daly and Andrew Harvey have told Ms Breust their clients are available in the last week in May, but she needs the support of businesses and community groups in the local area to make her dream a reality.
“I want to have a Country Music Bush Bash in Bega, I think it’s a good way to start the charity and get people’s attention,” she said.
“I live in the Bega Valley, but I want this to be an Australia-wide charity because these issues are relevant to farmers all over the country.
“I want to make a difference in farmer’s lives.”
Ms Breust urges anyone interested in helping or learning more about Farmers into the Future to contact her on 0417 020 780 or becbruest@bigpond.com.au.
