Tragic month must be a ‘turning point’ for farm safety

Following three shock farm deaths in the Wimmera in as many weeks, locals have called for change to reduce the risk of farming.

Friend of the late Wimmera farmer, Micheal Morcom, has urged for a tragic month to be “turning point” for farm safety. Picture: Zoe Phillips

After a tragic month for the Wimmera farming community, a heartbroken friend of the late Michael Morcom is hoping the death of the renowned cropping farmer can trigger significant changes to farm safety.

Ballarat-based Ross Johns said locals were hurting after Mr Morcom was killed in an auger incident on February 23 – the second of three farming fatalities in the Warracknabeal district in just three weeks.

Wallup farmer Merv Thomas, 91, died in a quad bike accident on March 1, while 57-year-old farmer Mark Huebner died in a tractor rollover on February 8.

“Everyone is in a state of shock. It is all unbelievable, to have three tragic deaths,” Mr Johns said.

“On Friday there was an enormous turnout for Michael’s funeral. His life was well-celebrated, but it has been tragically cut short.”

Mr Johns, who has farmed northwest of Warracknabeal for more than 40 years, said he wanted to see the agricultural industry, community and government come together to help make significant reductions in the rate of agricultural fatalities.

“In 2022 there were 55 agricultural-related deaths. For comparison during the Vietnam War there was an average of 50 deaths a year across its 10 years. We’ve lost more people in one industry in a year than in a war. To me that is horrendous,” he said.

“After three workplace deaths in the Wimmera, if we don’t change we will have more of them. This has to be viewed as a turning point to reduce the risk.

“Mining has been able to reduce their workplace fatalities, but in farming they have remained stubbornly high.”

Warracknabeal farmer Micheal Morcom passed away in a farm incident on February 23.

Mr Johns said he wanted all fatalities, hospitalisations and near misses recorded and the learnings from those incidents distributed to farm managers “so they can adjust their work and recognise where risks have occurred elsewhere”.

“I would love to see a farming memorial, similar to the one in Broken Hill, to recognise each and every lost life in farming,” he said.

“I know Michael would support taking the positive out of any negative and positively helping people living and operating in the industry.”

VFF Grains president Craig Henderson said he was shocked and saddened by Mr Morcom’s passing.

“Mick was very much respected by those around the district. He was just a really good bloke to be about,” Mr Henderson said.

“He was just one of those really good fellas who would make sure you were right and made you feel welcome.”