Lismore-based dairy giant Norco recruits mental health support officer to help Australian farmers

Stark Federal government statistics state one farmer dies by suicide every ten days. Meet the man trying to change it and why Australia’s most beloved dairy co-op has him on board.

Norco farmer Ross Blanch and Norco mental health support officer Craig Waddell. Picture: Elise Derwin.

If anyone is well-equipped to know the struggle Australian farmers face, it’s former third-generation dairy farmer Craig Waddell.

He has swapped cattle for chatter as he undertakes his toughest job yet – a mental health support officer for one of the country’s largest and oldest dairy co-operatives.

Mr Wardell, of Lismore, was hand-picked by Northern Rivers dairy giant Norco earlier this year for the role, one he says “is immensely rewarding”.

The spritely 66-year-old was a dairy farmer for over four decades, and is proud to call himself a third-generation Norco supplier.

But despite his affections for his life in farming, he knows all too well the alarming statistics.

Close to half of Australian farmers (45 per cent) have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

On average, one Australian farmer dies by suicide every ten days, according to Federal government statistics.

Mr Waddell and Mr Blanch say they share in the burden that comes along with farming. Picture: Elise Derwin.

A Norco-commissioned report stated that two of the top three factors impacting Australian farmers were financial stress (36 per cent), and inflation and cost pressures (35 per cent).

More than half of Australian farmers who struggle do not want to burden their family or friends.

Norco chief executive officer Michael Hampson said Mr Waddell provides support exclusively to farmer members who may need to talk to someone during challenging times or simply want to have a chat with another farmer.

“Craig has extensive farming experience and brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by farmers and will be available to all our farmer members to lend a supportive and empathetic ear,” he said.

“The commitment Craig brings to the role of helping others and fostering a support network aligns with our mission of making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.”

Mr Waddell said he brought a “deep understanding” to the “unique challenges farmers face”.

“There are good days and bad days,” he said.

Norco is loved by Aussies. Norco CEO Michael Hampson at the Norco ice cream factory in Lismore. Photo: Elise Derwin

“If there are farmers out there that need someone to talk to, I am just a phone call or farm visit away to have a yarn and help make sense of their feelings and thoughts.”

Southeast Queensland-based Norco member and farmer Ross Blanch has also been involved extensively in helping other farmers for thirty years through the Queensland Lifeline Farmer to Farmer program.

“I have been helping farmers for the last five years by empowering them to express their feelings and show them that it’s OK to feel overwhelmed and challenged,” he said.

“Farmers aren’t built to talk and so it’s really important that they have someone they can connect with who speaks their language and understands the unique struggles they face.

“I welcome Craig in his new role; the more farmers we have in the army the better.

Giving farmers greater access to mental health support is vital for our industry and sometimes all it takes is for them to be heard and understood.”

Originally published as Lismore-based dairy giant Norco recruits mental health support officer to help Australian farmers