Speakers & Services
MC - Matt O’Connor, Elders Echuca
Warren Davies - “The Unbreakable Farmer”
Key Note Speaker
Known across Australia as The Unbreakable Farmer, Warren Davies is a fifth-generation famer, award-winning speaker and passionate advocate for rural mental health and wellbeing.
After experiencing the devastating impacts of prolonged drought, financial hardship and depression, Warren turned his personal challenges into a powerful message of hope, resilience, and practical strategies for navigating life’s toughest seasons. Today, he shares his story with audiences across Australia, inspiring people to build resilience, strengthen their mental wellbeing and recognise that asking for support is a sign of strength.
At our Harvesting Health Event, Warren will deliver an engaging and heartfelt keynote that is relatable, honest and full of practical takeaways for anyone facing the pressures of farming, business or everyday life. His message reminds us that while we can’t always control the challenges we face, we can choose how we respond - and that no one has to face those challenges alone.
Warren will be speaking in the main marquee at 12pm.
Brooke Dedini
Expert Panel Guest Speaker
Brooke Dedini is a lawyer with Morrison & Sawyers Lawyers, helping farming families navigate one of the most important conversations they’ll ever have - succession planning.
Drawing on her experience working with rural clients, Brooke provides practical, down-to-earth advice on protecting family farms for future generations. Her presentation will explore why succession planning matters, different ownership and transition options, estate planning essentials, tax and asset considerations, and practical strategies to help families manage risk and avoid conflict.
Following the panel discussion, Brooke will be available for private breakout sessions, offering attendees the opportunity to discuss their family’s circumstances, identify key risks, and gain guidance on the next steps in developing a succession plan.
We would like to thank Morrison & Sawers Lawyers who are kindly sponsoring our event and Brooke for donating her time and expertise.
Jeremy Hall
Expert Panel Guest Speaker
Jeremy Hall is a Licensed Financial Adviser, Chartered Accountant and SMSF Specialist with Pinnacle Financial Planning. Passionate about helping people feel confident and in control of their financial future, Jeremy provides clear, practical advice tailored to each client’s individual goals and circumstances.
With expertise in retirement planning, superannuation, succession planning and wealth management, Jeremy takes a holistic approach to financial advice.
At our Harvesting Health Event, Jeremy will share practical insights to help individuals, families and farming businesses make informed financial decisions and plan with confidence for the future.
Following the panel discussion, Jeremy will be available to chat with attendees who have any further questions regarding their financial planning.
We would like to thank Pinnacle Financial Planning who are kindly sponsoring our event and Jeremy for donating his time and expertise.
Jeremy Hall is an authorised representative of Pinnacle FP Pty Ltd (ABN 20 626 328 327) Australian Financial Services License 509196. Information provided by Jeremy at this event will be general advice only and will not take the personal circumstances of any individuals into account. You should always consider your own circumstances and consider seeking qualified advice before making any financial decisions.
Kristy Scadden
Expert Panel Guest Speaker
Kristy Scadden is a Senior Accountant and Partner at m+s group accounting, holding a Bachelor of Commerce and bringing extensive experience in supporting individuals, primary producers and businesses with their financial needs.
Kristy provides accounting, taxation and compliance services, along with practical business advice focused on improving profitability, managing cash flow and supporting low term growth. She is passionate about helping clients make informed financial decisions through clear, practical advice tailored to their unique circumstances.
As part of the Harvesting Health Event expert panel, Kristy will share valuable insights into financial wellbeing, business management and practical strategies to help individuals, families and businesses plan for a strong and sustainable future.
Following the panel discussion, Kristy will be available to chat with attendees who have any further accounting questions they may have.
We would like to thank m+s group accounting who are kindly sponsoring our event and Kristy for donating her time and expertise.
Suzie Shearer
Echuca’s Suzie Shearer epitomises what it is to live with passion, and subscribes to the philosophy of ‘if you love what you do, and who you do it with, you’ll never work a day in your life’.
Known for her infectious and energetic enthusiasm, Suz is a magnetic leader and a big picture visionary in our community with strengths in strategy, marketing and business.
And she loves mixing business with pleasure!!
A former journalist, and proud mum to three amazing boys, Suz and her husband Brad built one of Australia’s largest turf production companies, Coolabah Turf from the ground up into what is respected as a worldclass operation.
We are excited to have Suz joining us at our Harvesting Health Event to help facilitate a conversation vital to business health and family wealth.
Suz will lead a thought-provoking panel session on finding financial freedom, succession planning, and the critical importance of goal setting.
Prior to devoting every waking hour of every day for nearly three decades to talking turf, Suz’s career has spanned print media and radio, public relations and event marketing, including founding The Engine Room, where she has supported major events and campaigns such as the Australian Media Team at the 1996 Paralympic Games (Atlanta), the Deni Ute Muster founding committee, the 2000 Sydney Olympic Torch Relay, the 2003 Victorian State Dairy Conference, the 2004 World Congress for the Processing Tomatoes Industry, Echuca Moama Triathlon, and multiple national and world barefoot waterski championships.
Suz is currently a Director on the Garden Industry Victoria Board, and is a passionate advocate for community greenspace and nature. She is a current member of both the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) Operations Committee and the Victorian Schools Garden Program, and the Echuca-Moama Festival of Stories.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Bendigo and Echuca is on board for HHE… and that’s something worth talking about!
Just like a tractor needs servicing and a ute needs fuel, our mental health needs looking after too. Yet it’s often the last thing we put on the maintenance list.
We’re excited to welcome the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Bendigo and Echuca (servicing Greater Bendigo, Loddon and Campaspe) to Harvesting Health Event, where they’ll be on hand to chat about the FREE mental health and wellbeing support available right here in our region.
No referral. No hoops to jump through. No “you should’ve asked sooner.” Just real people ready to help with genuine “how can we help?” approach.
Whether you’re doing it tough, supporting someone else, or simply want to know what’s available if life throws you a curveball, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local team is here for you.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals support Victorians aged 26+ and works alongside trusted local organisations to provide care that’s easy to access and focused on what matters most - you. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Bendigo and Echuca is proudly delivered by Mind Australia, in partnership with Echuca Regional Health, Salvation Army, Bendigo Health, Bendigo District Aboriginal Cooperative and Thorne Harbour Health.
Because asking for directions isn’t a sign you’ve taken the wrong road… sometimes it’s just the smartest way to get where you’re going.
Come and have a chat with the team at HHE - you might walk away with more than just information.
Headspace
We’re pleased to welcome headspace to Harvesting Health Event.
headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing free or low-cost support to young people aged 12-25. Their friendly team helps with mental health and wellbeing, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug support, and work or study challenges.
At Harvesting Health Event, the headspace team will be available to chat about the services they offer, answer questions, and provide practical information on accessing support for young people and their families. Whether you’re looking for advice, resources, or simply want to learn more, headspace is here to help young people build resilience and thrive.
Echuca Regional Health
We’re proud to have Echuca Regional Health as a key partner of our Harvesting Health Event.
On the day, their experienced community services nursing team will be providing FREE Comprehensive Health Checks, giving attendees the opportunity to better understand their current health and identify any areas that may benefit from further support.
Echuca Regional Health will also have an information stall where you can chat with their friendly team, ask questions about your health, and learn more about the wide range of services and programs available to support individuals and families across our region.
Whether you’re due for a health check, looking for advice, or simply want to find out what support is available, be sure to stop by and say hello.
Lockington District Bush Nursing Centre
We're proud to have the dedicated nurses from Lockington District Bush Nursing Centre supporting the Harvesting Health Event by providing free health checks on the day.
For more than 100 years, the Centre has been caring for the Lockington and surrounding communities, offering accessible, compassionate healthcare close to home. Their experienced nursing team provides a wide range of services, including health assessments, chronic disease support, immunisations, wound care, health education and wellbeing programs, helping people stay healthy at every stage of life.
Be sure to say G'Day to the team on the day, have a friendly chat, and take advantage of a free health check as part of your wellbeing journey.
Country Hearing Care Van
We’re pleased to welcome the Country Hearing Care Van to Harvesting Health Event.
Hearing loss often develops gradually, especially after years of working around tractors, machinery and other loud farm equipment. Many people don’t realise how much their hearing has changed until family and friends start commenting on the TV volume - or wondering if it’s just a case of “selective hearing”!
The friendly team from Country Hearing Care Van will be offering hearing checks, expert advice and information to help you better understand your hearing health. Whether you’re concerned about changes in your hearing or simply want peace of mind, this is a great opportunity to have your hearing assessed.
Take the time to look after one of your most important senses and stop by the Country Hearing Care Van during our Harvesting Health Event.
Sherri Barden - APLUS Pharmacy Education
We’re delighted to welcome Sherri Barden, founder of APLUS Pharmacy Education, to the Harvesting Health Event. Sherri is an experienced community pharmacist and asthma educator with a special interest in respiratory health. Passionate about improving health outcomes in rural communities, she helps people better understand and manage asthma, COPD, hay fever and overall lung health through practical, evidence-based education and medication support.
Visit Sherri at the APLUS Pharmacy Education stand for a friendly chat about your respiratory health, inhaler technique, medications, or any questions you may have about keeping your lungs healthy. Sherri is passionate about supporting and educating our rural community because every conversation about lung health matters.
Bendigo Health Carer Support Services supports unpaid carers of all ages across the Loddon Mallee region. An unpaid carer is someone who provides ongoing support to a family member, friend, or partner living with a disability, mental illness, chronic health condition, dementia, or age-related condition. Services include information and advice, counselling, respite, support groups, coaching, and tailored short-term support packages. The service is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of carers and helping them maintain their caring role while looking after their own health and wellbeing.