In collaboration with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, the competition gives nominees a chance to secure $10,000 towards safety upgrades for the winner's farm and another $10,000 for safety improvements or repairs at their country football netball club.
WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Ash West officially launched the search for Footy's Favourite Farmer at the weekend's WorkSafe Country Club Series game in Kyabram.
"This is an incredible initiative that aims not only to honour the invaluable contribution of farmers to local communities but also to emphasise the critical importance of workplace safety in the agriculture sector," Mr West said.
"Improving safety outcomes on the land starts with farmers talking to each other and understanding the value of a safe work environment both for themselves and their entire community."
Agriculture makes up just two percent of Victoria's workforce but regularly accounts for more than 10 percent of all workplace deaths. Since 2021, more than 30 people have lost their lives in agriculture workplaces.
Western Bulldogs premiership player and WorkSafe ambassador Tom Boyd said local sports played a major role in creating a support network for people in rural communities, particularly those on farms experiencing isolation.
"Every time a farmer turns up to watch, train or play our great game is a chance for that person to feel like they have somewhere they belong, which decreases the chance that they will have to confront life's challenges alone," he said.
"This season, let your local farmers know what they mean to your club by nominating them to be crowned Footy's Favourite Farmer."
Monthly winners drawn in the lead-up to the major prize in August will receive a safety pack valued at almost $2,000 which includes a WorkSafe Award-winning AirAgri personal safety locator device, a quadbike operator protective device (OPD), a Footy's Favourite Farmer branded work shirt, along with footballs and netballs for their club.
The club that nominates the most individual farmers for this year's competition will receive a bag full of WorkSafe Sherrin KB game footballs, valued at $1,300.
Rutherglen farmer Greg Lumby, who was named Footy's Favourite Farmer in 2024, said the experience helped highlight the importance of farm safety in his community.
"It's so important that we can enjoy and get home from our work safely so that we can enjoy a day at the footy and the netball on the Saturday," Greg said.
"WorkSafe have been fantastic with the support they bring to footy netball clubs and it's vital that the safety message gets out there."
Nominations for Footy's Favourite Farmer are open until 31 July 2025.
