Look over the farm gate. Help a mate!

Baw Baw Shire Council is announcing a series of community barbecue events over the coming months made possible after being awarded funding through the ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ community grants program.  

The ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ community grants program was established as part of the Victorian Government’s drought support and is administered by the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) with the support of Agriculture Victoria.  

The program offers grants of up to $5,000 to local groups across Victoria, with a focus on helping farmers and their families who are under stress. These grants help agencies supporting farming communities to organise events and activities which support mental health and wellbeing and bring people together.  

Baw Baw Shire Council has been successful in receiving funding to host five community barbecue events across five towns across the Shire.  

Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Councillor Danny Goss says the ‘Look Over the Farm Gate – Help a Mate’ community barbecues are all about bringing our farming communities together, to look out for each other and to ensure our community knows where to turn to for help and mental health support. 

“Dry conditions are affecting farmers across Baw Baw. Some areas are facing their lowest rainfall on record and dry conditions are expected to continue throughout 2025. 

“The introduction of the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services Levy is a blow to farmers already facing difficult conditions. Baw Baw Shire Councillors will continue to stand by our community, our farmers, our volunteers and advocate for the levy to be fully repealed.”  

“These barbeques are free and informal and provide an opportunity to connect with others and have a chat about what is happening in the farming community.” 

Representatives from Agriculture Victoria, Gipps Dairy, Head2Health, Nex Solutions (formerly Rural Financial Counselling Service) and Food and Fibre Gippsland, as well as other primary producing advocacy groups will be on hand to talk with farming families and provide helpful resources.  

The ‘Look Over the Farm Gate – Help a Mate’ community barbecue events will be held from 11am – 2pm at the following locations: 

Tuesday 23 September: Buln Buln Football Netball Club  
Thursday 25 September: Longwarry Football Netball Club  
Wednesday 1 October: Trafalgar Football Netball Club  
Wednesday 8 October: Neerim South Football Netball Club  
Tuesday 14 October: Ellinbank Football Netball Club 

Registrations are not required.  Families are welcome to come along at any time during the day to share a meal and access the resources that are available.  

For more information keep an eye out on Council’s Events Calendar bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Events-Calendar