top of page
Matt Johns.jpg

Our mission is to inspire and encourage rural communities to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.

Welcome to
Fat Farmers: Rural Health Initiative

It all started back in 2012 when three farmers at Maitland on Yorke Peninsula (SA) started going to the gym. And this original group is still going strong! The below clip shows their Friday morning gym sessions and is a great visual snapshot of what Fat Farmers is all about! Each of our groups has it's own identity. Some are men only but many are inclusive of women and also children. And it's not all about going to the gym. We have a couple of walking groups too...

Find your local group on the map & get involved!
Or contact us to start a new group for your community...

Times in local. Classes may change — check with your local Champion or Trainer for the latest details.

Last updated: 15 June 2026

Upcoming Events

  • Crystal Brook Show
    Crystal Brook Show
    Sat, 08 Aug
    Crystal Brook Showgrounds
    08 Aug 2026, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm ACST
    Crystal Brook Showgrounds, Kendrew Terrace, Crystal Brook SA 5523, Australia
    Visit us for a free Heart Health & Diabetes check from Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing!
  • Run4Resilience Padthaway
    Run4Resilience Padthaway
    Fat Farmers Hosting/Co-Hosting
    Sun, 09 Aug
    Padthaway
    09 Aug 2026, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm ACST
    Padthaway, Padthaway SA 5271, Australia
    The event is coming to Padthaway on Sunday 9th August, running throughout the morning and wrapped up by lunchtime at Padthaway, South Australia. Lock in the date, set your goal, and come along to run, walk or roll — and kick some butt.
  • Run4Resilience Katanning
    Run4Resilience Katanning
    Fat Farmers Hosting/Co-Hosting
    Sun, 16 Aug
    28694 Great Southern Hwy
    16 Aug 2026, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm AWST
    28694 Great Southern Hwy, 28694 Great Southern Hwy, Katanning WA 6317, Australia
    In 2026 the event returns on Sunday 16th August, running throughout the morning and wrapped up by lunchtime at 28694 Great Southern Highway, Katanning WA 6317. Lock in the date, set your goal, and come along to run, walk or roll — and kick some butt.
  • Run4Resilience Bonnie Doon
    Run4Resilience Bonnie Doon
    Fat Farmers Hosting/Co-Hosting
    Sun, 06 Sept
    Bonnie Doon
    06 Sept 2026, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm AEST
    Bonnie Doon, Bonnie Doon VIC 3720, Australia
    In 2026 the event makes its way to Bonnie Doon on Sunday 6th September, running throughout the morning and wrapped up before lunchtime at Property is 200m down Ancona Road, Bonnie Doon - 3715. Lock in the date, set your goal, and come along to run or walk — and kick some butt.
  • 2026 Nuffield Australia National Conference
    2026 Nuffield Australia National Conference
    Wed, 09 Sept
    Darwin parkrun
    09 Sept 2026, 6:00 am ACST – 10 Sept 2026, 8:30 am ACST
    Darwin parkrun, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
    We're hosting a Free Fun Run on the Wednesday and Thursday morning - in partnership with Rabobank!
  • City to Bay 2026
    City to Bay 2026
    Sun, 20 Sept
    Glenelg
    20 Sept 2026, 6:00 am – 4:00 pm ACST
    Glenelg, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
    Start your training and prepare for this year's City to Bay! Registrations open soon. More information to come closer to event. https://city-bay.org.au/
Grapevine

  Recent Media  

2026 03 01 7News.png
"Fat Fighters"
1 March 2026

“A rural health initiative begun in South Australia is now making inroads across the nation, getting farmers out of their tractors and into the gym.” - 7News
IMG_8507.HEIC
"Fat Farmers launches mobile health hub offering free health checks"
12 December 2025

“To get rural men to have a health check can be hard, but people feel comfortable because we are grassroots and farmer-driven.” - Stock Journal
bottom of page