Known in the Snowy River community as "Doc", the mental health advocate and 2024 Orbost Citizen of the Year recently played a major role in donating 17 truckloads of hay and silage to drought-stricken farmers in south-west Victoria.
As Footy's Favourite Farmer, the 500-game legend has won $10,000 worth of safety improvements tailored to his business, and a further $10,000 to spend on safety upgrades for the Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club, where he has been president since 2012.
The annual competition, in collaboration with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, celebrates the unsung heroes and unique role of sport in farming communities.
Doc has spent his life on the land with workplace safety as a priority, but he said mental wellbeing became a focus more recently, since facing the burden of drought on top of the milk price crashing in 2016.
"I went to the doctor and I told him my problems, and pretty much his answer was going on a holiday, go and enjoy yourself," he said.
"It was so important for me to keep playing footy - it was an outlet, off the farm."
"It's just a great place to be, and it's so important, not just for my family, but for everybody to have a good footy netball club to be able to come and hang out at."
WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Ash West said Doc's experience as a farmer and footballer gave him first-hand insight into the benefits of good mental health and physical wellbeing.
"Volunteers like Doc make a huge difference to the vitality of country football and netball clubs, helping them thrive in rural and regional communities," he said.
"As Footy's Favourite Farmer for 2025, Doc is a great champion for WorkSafe's message - that we can all do our bit to create a safer workplace, which benefits everyone in our circle."
Doc said he was honoured to be named Footy's Favourite Farmer to help raise awareness for mental health, as well as safety at both the farm and sporting clubs.
"I'm fully aware that accidents can happen at home and you have to be extra cautious," he said.
"With the footy netball club, we're badly in need of some improved wheelchair access for our social rooms."
The competition received more than 200 nominations with Doc chosen from three finalists, who all received a farm safety pack valued at almost $2,000, an independent OHS Essentials workplace safety consultation, along with footballs and netballs for their club.
