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Publish date: 12 February 2025
Pictured: Warren Davies – The Unbreakable Farmer (left) and Wycheproof Royal Mail Hotel Proprietor Terry Mathieson.
A simple yet powerful tool for mental health and wellbeing conceived by Warren Davies, known as The Unbreakable Farmer, has been re-launched across Buloke Shire, helping farmers and community members. The Unbreakable Wheel is a self-assessment measure to help people reflect on key areas of their wellbeing, including mental, social, financial, environmental, and vocational health, as well as community belonging and relationships. The Unbreakable Wheel, which deeply resonated with rural communities during Warren’s Paddock Run tour last year in Birchip, Berriwillock, Charlton, Donald, Nandaly, Wycheproof and Yeungroon, is now featured on posters and drink coasters distributed to local pubs and clubs in Buloke. This initiative is funded through the Australian and State Government’s Community Recovery Program. “This is a very important intervention by the Buloke Shire Council as it helps keeps conversations going in familiar spaces, encouraging people to check in on themselves and others,” said Terry Mathieson Proprietor Wycheproof Royal Mail Hotel. "Right now, some conversations in the community are retriggering difficult emotions and creating tension. This initiative provides safe, familiar spaces to normalise mental health discussions and support wellbeing in a more constructive way.” Re-launched in Wycheproof on Tuesday, the Unbreakable Wheel encourages individuals to assess key health areas of their wellbeing, and to rate themselves from 1-5 to identify areas that need attention, serving as a starting point for support and self-reflection. “This is about breaking down barriers and creating comfortable spaces where people can say, ‘I’m not doing so well’—and know they’re not alone,” said Warren Davies. With conversation-starters right at the bar, this initiative keeps mental health in focus, helping to foster stronger, more resilient rural communities.