Health checks care for community

HEALTH and wellbeing will take centre stage at this year’s Mallee Machinery Field Days, highlighted by the launch of a dedicated health tent aimed at supporting farmers’ physical and mental wellbeing.

Those attending this year’s field days will have the opportunity to have a free hearing screening, skin check, and overall health check.

Southern Skin Cancer Clinic has been attending the field days for many years, and in that time, has detected hundreds of melanomas.

Since 2021, their team has literally saved lives, identifying around 200 melanomas and thousands of basal carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

“Our teams are extremely passionate about visiting regional areas that often lack these important medical services in their area,” a clinic spokesperson said.

“These statistics are why we continue to spread the word on the importance of having at least one skin check every year, especially for farmers who spend most of their time outdoors.”

This year attendees will once again have the opportunity to take part in a Shane Warne Legacy Health Check.

The checks proved popular last year, offering a thorough assessment of key indicators, such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and heart age, providing individuals with a valuable insight into their overall wellbeing.

Mallee Machinery Field Days secretary Matt Brady said the new health tent would showcase a variety of resources and initiatives designed to support farmers’ day-to-day wellbeing — covering everything from preventative care to stress management.

“With growing uncertainty around this year’s harvest, ongoing dry conditions and financial pressures are weighing heavily on the farming community,” he said.

“We hope the health tent can offer free resources and information to support farmers through this challenging period.”