The hunt for Footy's Favourite Farmer is on, with the Andrews Labor Government and WorkSafe celebrating the unique role of sport in farming communities while promoting the importance of workplace safety on farms.
Tragically, three agricultural workers have already lost their lives this year - in 2022, 568 people working in the sector were injured seriously enough to make a worker's compensation claim.
Victorians can nominate a farmer's involvement in their local country football netball club for a chance to win $10,000 towards safety upgrades for the winner's farm, and another $10,000 for safety improvements or repairs at their club.
Geelong Football Club spearhead Jeremy Cameron and Essendon Football Club captain Zach Merrett have jumped on board to help promote this year's competition, proudly supporting both WorkSafe's message and local clubs like those in Dartmoor and Cobden that gave them their start.
From May through to July, monthly finalists will be announced, and the farmer's local club will also receive six footballs and six netballs. On 21 August, one monthly finalist will be crowned the 2023 WorkSafe Footy's Favourite Farmer.
The competition launches ahead of WorkSafe's first Country Club Game of the year between Rochester and Echuca in the Goulburn Valley Football League this Saturday, 22 April at Rochester Recreation Reserve.
Nominations are open until 26 July - Victorians wanting to put forward their favourite local football netball club farmer can do so here countryclubhub.com.au.
As stated by Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Danny Pearson
"Farmers are a humble bunch but their contribution to local communities, both on-farm and at their local sports club, deserves recognition."
"We are proud to support a program that brings country communities together and makes farms safer for workers across the agriculture sector."
As stated by Geelong Football Club player Jeremy Cameron
"In places like Dartmoor where I grew up, the local footy club is literally the lifeblood of the town - so it's fantastic to see farmers across the state get the chance to see their name up in lights."
As stated by Essendon Football Club Captain Zach Merrett
"I'm grateful to WorkSafe for recognising the importance of farming and for supporting farmers through initiatives like the Footy's Favourite Farmer competition. It's important that we all work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who work hard to feed our nation."
