The final "Look over the farm gate - help a mate" session was held at Ellinbank last week.
The event was ehe last in a series of five events around the shire that brought farmers together, enabling farmers to enjoy lunch together and talk about how everyone was managing in dry season conditions.
Baw Baw Shire Council received funding to provide the events from Agriculture Victoria and The National Farmer Health Service. Support agencies attending the events included Nex Business Farming Wellness (previously Rural Finance Counselling Service); Lifeline; GippsDairy, Agriculture Victoria and Head2Health.
It was an opportunity for farmers to seek information and support from organisations regarding how to better manage reduced income during drought conditions, how to maintain good mental health, and where to source government grants and hardship payments.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of a Shocktober training session by Ambulance Victoria. Jess Shepherd and Kirsty Matthews instructed participants on 'hands only' CPR techniques and the use of an automatic, external defibrillator called 'call, push, shock' to help someone who was in cardiac arrest.
There also was the promotion of the GoodSam app where members of the community who are confident to perform CPR can be notified by Ambulance Victoria when a cardiac arrest happens near them to provide help until paramedics arrive.
The team advised participants that bystanders who start CPR and use an automatic external defibrillator improve the outcomes for patients by more than over 70 per cent.