Phil Thompson and HL Milling Thomas auctioneer, Peter Thomas, kneel behind the donated ram.

CLIFFS Shedding Sheep Stud at Molong in New South Wales have continued their support for Beyond Blue with the donation of $2600 in proceeds from the sale of an Australian White ram at their recent sale.

For four years now, stud owners Phil and Judi Thompson have been donating all proceeds from Lot 1 in their annual ram auction to Beyond Blue to remind their rural and regional communities the importance of reaching out if you’re struggling.

Up to the sale, the stud’s Lot 1 initiative had already raised more than $10,000 for Beyond Blue.

Mr Thompson said depression is the silent killer in rural Australia.

“Most farmers don’t know how to reach out for help, they won’t talk or they have no one to talk to.

“This can be for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s stigma, they’re embarrassed or their location means they just have less access to help – ultimately it means that issues don’t get addressed,” he said.

“It’s really relevant right now with cycles of bushfires, droughts, floods, on top of increasing financial pressures.

“From 2017 to 2020 we had one of the worst droughts on record here in NSW,” Mr Thompson said.

“ Every morning you would get out of bed and wonder where the next lot of feed for your animals was coming from, can you just imagine people waking up in the bushfire impacted areas of NSW.

“Judi and myself have known quite a few people who are no longer with us, people who you would think haven’t got a problem in the world but then the unexpected happens,” he said.

“This is one of the reasons we think Beyond Blue is so good, even in the remotest areas, it’s only a phone call away.

“That’s why it’s so important for us to support that phone call in any way can.”

Beyond Blue rural advocate Derek Schoen said in his 40-plus years working the land, this is one of the most challenging periods he’s seen.

“Life is feeling increasingly unpredictable, with people facing multiple, compounding pressures – and we’re seeing the toll this is taking on mental health.

“For many in rural and regional Australia, accessing support remains difficult. Distance, cost, time away from work,” he said.

“It may only take a phone call to someone you know is doing it tough to make them feel you have their back.”

“Despite these challenges, there is hope.”

Mr Schoen said rural communities have enormous strength and people know the value of connection, of looking out for our neighbours, and of standing together when times are tough.

“Phil and Judi exemplify this perfectly with the support their auctions provide to Beyond Blue and mental health – by leaning into that spirit we can all help to make a real difference.”