1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: We've been asked to show our support for Australian farmers 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:08,320 Speaker 1: by wearing a flannel shirt between now and the twenty 3 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: third of August. Any day, every day, even every ten days, 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: a farmer dies by suicide and that is a rate 5 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:20,480 Speaker 1: fifty nine percent higher than that of non farmers. Farm 6 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: Angels Chief executive Jason Law on the line, Jason, good morning, 7 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 1: what a great idea. 8 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 2: Thank you, Matthew, thanks for having us on the show. 9 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 2: And yeah, the idea was started by one of our farmers. 10 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: In fact, is this the first time you've done this. 11 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: I haven't heard of farm Angels before or flannel day. 12 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: What a wonderful thing. 13 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, thank you. Well, it's our second year and farm 14 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 2: Angels is our new name, formerly Drought Angels I started 15 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 2: ten years ago. In January was our tenth anniversary and 16 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 2: we changed the name to farm Angels because we do 17 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 2: so much more than just strout. We assist farmers through fires, 18 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:05,520 Speaker 2: through flood's, mass plagues, et cetera, general hardships relating to disasters. 19 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:09,320 Speaker 2: Because many people don't realize that for any single event, 20 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 2: it's three to five years recovery for a farmer. So 21 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:15,399 Speaker 2: imagine you know, five or ten years of drought and 22 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 2: three to five years per year. That's a long recovery period, 23 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 2: let alone a big fire or a flood. 24 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,640 Speaker 1: Are they these disasters whatever, whether it's a plague or 25 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 1: a fire, flood, whatever it might be, is that the 26 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 1: reason or one of the factors that drives up that 27 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: suicide rate. 28 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:36,399 Speaker 2: Look, it's a number of factors. And farmers are pretty resilient, Budge, right, 29 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 2: They go through a lot, and I think the feedback 30 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,760 Speaker 2: that we get is that I guess they go through 31 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 2: these hardships and quite often that it's the last thing 32 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 2: and they'll say, well they you know, people say, well drought, 33 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 2: you know, they know that drought's coming or flod's coming. 34 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 2: Surely they've got a plan for this, and they do. 35 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: So when a farmer says, you know, I had two 36 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:02,559 Speaker 2: years worth of feed there and I just couldn't store 37 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 2: anymore it would go off, or I just simply couldn't 38 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 2: afford the massive space that I'd need. Enough was enough. 39 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 2: Or we quite often find instances where they battle through 40 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: things and then there's a disaster and they come through that, 41 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 2: but then you know, the husband or wife will get 42 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 2: answer or have an accident where they're immobilized or so on, 43 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 2: and it's just that next bit that is the tipping point. 44 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, So it is a tough life, isn't it. 45 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: I mean, you're right about resilience. We've heard so many 46 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: stories over years about what farmers go through and they're 47 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,360 Speaker 1: still out there doing the job. But gee, thats suicide, right, 48 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: that is clearly, very very concerning. A rate that high, 49 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 1: fifty nine percent higher than non farmers is well, it's 50 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 1: upsetting to read that, frankly. 51 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,920 Speaker 2: It is. And I was reading another study performed out 52 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 2: of the University of South Australia actually, and they did 53 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,239 Speaker 2: a more in depth survey of a smaller number and 54 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 2: it was up to nine five percent. So you know, 55 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 2: when you look at the statistics, that's staggering. That's just 56 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 2: what we know. And that's those who complete suicide, let 57 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 2: alone those who consider self from on a regular basis, 58 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 2: because it's the it's the isolation, it's the feeling that 59 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: they do all this work and potentially it's for nothing 60 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:21,359 Speaker 2: I've done on this work. We all like want a 61 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 2: sense of purpose. Everyone likes to have a sense of completion. 62 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 2: And imagine if you're you know you've got stock or 63 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,480 Speaker 2: you're growing crops of whatever sort, and an event happens 64 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 2: and it's all gone, and you go, great, well that's 65 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 2: taken me out for this season and then potentially the 66 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 2: next season because I can't plant now, I can't do this, 67 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 2: And so when they look at ahead, it's just that 68 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 2: extra weight on their shoulders. So we help fill the gap. 69 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 2: And I want to give thanks to all those of 70 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 2: people who've supported us over the last ten years, because 71 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 2: it really makes a difference when we can pick up 72 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 2: the phone and someone said, you know, like just just 73 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 2: to me last week, they said, just being there to listen, 74 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 2: just to know that someone understands what you're going through 75 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 2: and I can talk without any judgment, and that's the 76 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 2: most important thing. And on top of that, we help 77 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 2: bridge that little financial gap as well, where were sometimes 78 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 2: if there's there's no ability to get compensation or or 79 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 2: they fall between the cracks in terms of any government assistance. 80 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 2: We help fill those. 81 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: And I suppose farming too, not just on the land. 82 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: We'd be talking people fishing, for instance, Is that treated 83 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 1: as farming. 84 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, anyone who's a primary producer, So yet oysterleases the 85 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 2: abalone beekeepers. So those who are primary producers, that bee farmer. 86 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 2: The beekeepers went through a major issue with the Varroa 87 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 2: mites and bees of course are a major, by a 88 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 2: major part in the health of our agriculture. But without 89 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 2: bees we don't get pollination. That pollination, we don't get 90 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 2: the fruits and wows, etc. So there was a massive 91 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 2: issue with the poor beekeeper who went through this episode, 92 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 2: and a lot of them had their hids destroyed, and 93 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 2: that's just having their income instantly turned off down done. 94 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 2: So that's that's where thankfully we're able to step in 95 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 2: and again thanks to everyone who supported us to be 96 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:16,720 Speaker 2: able to do. 97 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 1: That for them, and now chickens of course, those farmers 98 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: going through this as well. 99 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 2: Exactly, And it's just it's these things one after the other, 100 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 2: and I think it's important that we get that awareness 101 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 2: because you know, without farmers, we'd be hungry, naked and thirsty. 102 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: So they feed us, they close us. We take a 103 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 2: lot of that for granted, and I think that's the 104 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 2: most important part of this is that we could show farmers, 105 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 2: but we recognize the impact they have on our lives 106 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:45,840 Speaker 2: from a day to day perspective. 107 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: Is there any where people can get shirts from do 108 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 1: you have a recommended supply. Perhaps some of the proceeds 109 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 1: come straight back. 110 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 2: Yes, the Ringers Western is our official partner for this. 111 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 2: Five dollars for every flannel and you can donate from 112 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 2: their site. And we also have our own flannel, but 113 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 2: a limited edition one on our website which is farm 114 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 2: Angels dot org dot au and also flanne for a 115 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: farmer dot com dot au. So those two different sites 116 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 2: there as well. So you can buy one of our 117 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 2: trademarks limited edition flannels or Ringers Western any of their plannos. 118 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: So the day dollars how much? 119 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,159 Speaker 2: Sorry, they'll donate five dollars. 120 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: Five dollars, Yeah, yeah, Jason. The day itself twenty third 121 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: of August. What makes that significant? Why is that day 122 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 1: Flanno day? 123 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 2: Well, it just happened to be a day that we 124 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: picked in August of twinter it so it's the middle 125 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,919 Speaker 2: of winter. It lined up with sometimes some of the 126 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 2: harshest conditions around Australia and in conjunction with our farmers 127 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,279 Speaker 2: who came up with a concept, they said, that's a 128 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: that's a great day, great time and getting people to 129 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 2: wear a flano and our goal is to get a 130 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: million Aussies like you were saying in the lead up 131 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,039 Speaker 2: to this that you can wear one any day or 132 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 2: every day in the lead up and make it fun. 133 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: Set up to go to our site, the Flanno for 134 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 2: a farmer's site and set up a team, do morning teas, 135 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 2: do a jelly bean counting competition or whatever it is, 136 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 2: and to show farmers that you care. Wear your Flanno 137 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 2: posted on the socials and every dollar goes towards helping 138 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 2: a farmer, helping a shoulder lean on and someone to listen. 139 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 1: It's a great initiative. Jason, Well done, and maybe we'll 140 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: speak on the day itself and see how it's all gone. 141 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: Thank you for your time this morning. 142 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 2: It'd be fantastic. Thank you very much Matthew for your support. 143 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 1: Thank you Jason law CEO Farm Angels. What a great thing. 144 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: Flanno for a farmer twenty third of August. Anytime between 145 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: now and then, wear a Flanno and help out a farmer. 146 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: Just the solidarity of that, I think that's a great initiative.