Twenty years ago, Jessica Walker took her own life after a brief mental illness leaving her family shellshocked, wondering where it all went wrong. Now her sister Tor Benjafield and family friend Peita Burton Taylor are raising funds and awareness to help rural health workers get the skills they need to serve their own communities. The Hand to the Land initiative is a partnership with the Country Education Foundation.

Some highlights:

• The founding of Hand to the Land in memory of Jess
• Challenges faced by rural communities in mental health support
• Role of the Country Education Foundation in supporting rural youth
• Scholarships and mental health support for students in rural areas
• The importance of mental health literacy and awareness campaigns
• Impact of storytelling and personal stories in reducing stigma
• Community-led mental health initiatives and events
• Addressing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health
• Future plans and ways to get involved in supporting rural mental health

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Dr Jodie McCoy shares her unique journey from growing up on Norfolk Island to becoming a medical leader in her community. She discusses the challenges and rewards of providing healthcare in a remote setting, the importance of community and family heritage, and her experiences in the military and medicine.

Some highlights:

• The significance of family heritage and cultural practices

• Jodie's medical career path and military experience

• Growing up on Norfolk Island and education

• Challenges of remote healthcare and emergency situations

• Jodie's return to Norfolk Island and community impact

• Reflections on healthcare in small communities

• Future outlook for healthcare on Norfolk Island

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Rebecca Huismann shares her inspiring journey from a childhood horse riding accident to founding Vision Fitness and Support, a business dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. She discusses her personal experiences, the importance of community, and her vision for the future of disability services.

Some highlights:

• Rebecca's personal journey and recovery from a brain injury
• The founding and mission of Vision Fitness and Support
• The role of inclusive fitness in disability support
• The impact of personal experience on service delivery
• Future visions for disability services and community involvement

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Michelle Leonard shares her journey from growing up in Coonamble, NSW< to leading Moorambilla Voices, an organisation transforming regional Australia's arts scene. Discover how her work promotes equity, cultural connection, and artistic excellence across remote communities.

Some highlights:

• Michelle Leonard's background and upbringing in western NSW
• The mission and impact of Moorambilla Voices in regional Australia
• Programs and initiatives for youth and Indigenous communities
• The significance of the upcoming gala at Sydney Opera House
• Challenges faced by regional arts organisations and resilience strategies
• The role of arts in fostering social justice and cultural identity
• Intergenerational impact and alumni success stories
• Future plans for Moorambilla and expanding artistic practice

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Ockert Le Roux's journey from a young boy with a camera to a renowned photographer and forestry expert is a testament to the power of passion and the beauty of the natural world. Ockert's love for photography sparked in 1976 during a school camp, where his father handed him a 1958 Pentax. His
Ockert's career path took him through forestry, ultimately leading him to Australia. His background in forestry has enriched his photography, allowing him to capture the landscapes and environments he loves.

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Terri Cowley speaks with Felicity Richards about her path from Flinders Island to law, government work and eventually back to farming. They cover her leadership roles at FarmSafe and Tasmania’s Biosecurity Advisory Committee, plus the practical realities of running three cattle properties with her husband Mark and raising three children. Felicity shares how volunteering helped her reconnect with rural life, why she believes safety on farms needs to be treated as a choice rather than an inevitability, and what she’s learning about sustainable land management across different environments. The conversation also touches on women’s growing visibility in agriculture and the next generation of farmers. Highlights include:

• Felicity’s upbringing on Flinders Island and why she assumed she would not become a farmer
• Studying law in Canberra and how administrative law led her toward government accountability work
• Calling the ombudsman’s office directly to ask for a job and landing in freedom of information work
• Returning to Tasmania, rediscovering farming through her parents’ property near Carrick, and seeing farm business from an administrative perspective
• Volunteering at the Launceston harvest market and learning how paddock-to-plate producers connect with consumers
• Meeting her future husband while mustering cattle and fixing a fence on the neighbouring property
• Running an all-beef enterprise across three properties with roughly 6,000 to 7,000 head of mostly Angus cattle
• Managing different land types on Flinders Island, near Launceston and in northwest Tasmania, and learning how each country behaves
• Why FarmSafe exists, what it does, and the national focus on reducing fatalities and injuries on Australian farms
• The biggest safety risks she sees on farms, especially side-by-side vehicles, tractors, speed and seatbelts
• How a near-drowning incident with her daughter Esme changed her understanding of active supervision around water
• Tasmania’s biosecurity priorities, including preparation for bird flu
• Why she’s stepping back from some commitments while still staying involved with FarmSafe
• Her interest in farm waste, silage wrap, hay wrap and the push for better compostable alternatives
• The growing visibility of women in agriculture and the importance of acknowledging the admin side of farm businesses

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This is the story of Angela Teale's journey from a childhood fascination with space in Iowa, USA, to becoming a leading aerospace engineer in Australia As the 2026 Western Australian Rural Woman of the Year, she emphasises the importance of community support in her achievements and advocates for the potential of rural areas in the global space industry. Her experiences in the Air Force, her role in significant projects like the Square Kilometre Array, and her commitment to empowering the next generation in STEM highlight her multifaceted career.

Key takeaways:

• Angela Teale's journey showcases the intersection of aerospace engineering and community impact.
• The award she received is seen as a reflection of her community's efforts.
• Angela emphasises the importance of local talent in rural areas.
• Her background in the Air Force laid the foundation for her career.
• Skydiving became a significant passion that connected her with her husband.
• The Square Kilometre Array project represents a major milestone in her career.
• Angela's work aims to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
• She believes in the potential of the Australian space industry to innovate.
• Community support plays a crucial role in her professional journey.
• Angela's story highlights the importance of transferable skills in the space industry.

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Jill Colwell shares her incredible journey participating in the 1988 Great Australian Camel Race, her experiences with camels, and the lessons learned from this extraordinary adventure. Discover the challenges, triumphs, and the historical significance of this unique event, as Jill's children's book about this incredible event is released to a new generation.

Some highlights:

• Jill Colwell’s training and relationship with Tiki the Camel
• Challenges faced during the race: terrain, weather, health issues
• The role of camels in Australian history and their adaptation
• Lessons learned about perseverance, teamwork, and luck

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