Sustainable Farm Families

Program

Drought Info

For information relating to this site contact: sff@wdhs.net
Site Authorised by Director of Community Services, Western District Health Service, Hamilton
Sustainable Farm Families Disclaimer Last Updated: 14-Feb-2008

Cate Mercer-Grant, Program Manager

E: cate.mercer-grant@wdhs.net

T: 5551 8508

Amy Hutchins, Data Clerk

Amy has a strong interest in Agriculture, coming from a rural background. Amy has recently completed her Bachelor of Health Science with Honours in Public Health. Her thesis was based on Rural Health. Amy is particularly interested in the research element of farm family health and enjoys meeting the diverse groups of people associated with the program.

Tamara Sharrock, Clerical Assistant

Tamara has many years experience in administration in the areas of finance, procedural and protocol development and project management across a range of industries. Tamara grew up on a farm and is particularly keen on working in partnership with farmers to improve their health outcomes. Tamara has a broad knowledge of Victoria having spent the last few months exploring the Victorian countryside. She is looking forward to working with farm families and also health agencies involved with the program.

Sue Brumby - Director, Community Services, Principal Investigator, Health Educator
RN. RM., Dip Farm. M'Ment, Grad Dip Women's Studies, Graduate of Australian Rural Leadership Program Course 3 and Master Health Management, MRCNA, ACHSE, PHD in progress
Sue has had a long-term interest in agriculture and rural communities and managed the family property at Coleraine for 12 years producing beef, stud cattle and fine wool. She has held several prominent positions in both the agricultural and health sector regionally and nationally and maintains an active interest in supporting rural and regional communities. Undertook a Victorian Travelling Fellowship Program looking at farming health.

Stuart Willder - Principal Researcher, Health Educator
Dip App.Sci (Nursing), Grad Cert Crit. Care, Grad Cert men's Health, Men's Health Educator, Bowel and Prostate Case Manager. Master of Nursing Science (Nurse Practitioner)
Stu has over 15 years of experience in critical care and emergency fields with a specific interest in rural men's health. He has focused much of his work on improving the knowledge of rural farmers' health knowledge. Stu runs a small farm in the Western District.

Research Advice - RMIT University & LaTrobe University

The project has generated a considerable amount of data about farm families, health and safety issues and means of improving farmer's lifestyles. RMIT and LaTrobe's involvement is intended to ensure that the learning from the project is well-grounded, and that its benefits are disseminated to a wider academic and pratical audience.