Wednesday April 9th, more than 340 people gathered at the Capri Theatre for a special Adelaide screening of Just a Farmer, an evening that combined powerful storytelling with real support for rural families.
Delivered in partnership with Primary Producers SA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, the event created space for an honest and timely conversation about the pressures facing farming families and the importance of coordinated mental health and financial support.
The panel discussion featured writer, actor and director Leila McDougall, who shared the deeply personal origins of the film and the conversations it continues to spark across rural Australia. She was joined by John Gladigau, Chair of Grain Producers SA, Kate Gunn from ifarmwell, and our own Rural Financial Counsellor Libby Baldock. The discussion was expertly guided by MC Jess Adamson, ensuring the themes resonated with both rural and metropolitan audiences.
Libby spoke about the direct link between financial distress and emotional wellbeing, something we see every day through the Rural Financial Counselling Service. Following a tough 2024 season shaped by drought, rising costs and tightening finance, demand for support has reached unprecedented levels. For many families, the pressure is layered, financial strain, uncertainty about the season ahead, and the weight of generational responsibility.
Importantly, the evening translated awareness into action.
Through ticket sales and generous support, approximately $15,000 was raised to strengthen mental health and wellbeing programs for rural families, with a further $3,000 donated to the RBS Relief Fund. These funds will provide direct support to families through small but timely grants to assist with essential household expenses such as groceries, fuel, school costs and medical bills. Practical relief that creates breathing space inside the farm gate.
Caroline Rhodes, CEO of Primary Producers SA, reflected on the significance of the evening:
“I am so proud to have used the event to raise funds for RBS. I hope that we can now collectively work with RBS to make good use of these funds, linking this support to the mental health strategy to be developed under the drought package.”
Her words reinforce what the night demonstrated so clearly, that industry, government and community can work together to ensure support is not only available, but coordinated and meaningful.
The strength of attendance and engagement confirmed that these conversations matter. By bringing city and country audiences together, Just a Farmer helped bridge understanding and reminded us that behind every farm business is a family navigating both practical and emotional pressures.
We extend our sincere thanks to our partners, panelists and attendees for contributing to such a powerful evening, and especially acknowledge Rural Financial Counsellor, Libby Baldock for her thoughtful contribution and ongoing commitment to supporting rural families across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
