Preventive Health SA Event: Barmera Monash Football Club

A Big Weekend in Barmera: Community, Connection and Preventive Health

Over 3-5 July 2025, the Fat Farmers team had the pleasure of spending a fantastic weekend in Barmera, proudly supporting Barmera Monash Football Club’s Mental Health Round alongside Preventive Health SA and Flinders University. It was a powerful reminder of just how impactful it can be when community, conversation and preventive health come together.

We were excited to have AFL legend Brett Burton, join us for the weekend. He shared insights into what helps us feel good and function at our best, with plenty of key takeaways around the importance of regular exercise, connection, and looking after both our physical and mental health. His message strongly echoed what we believe at Fat Farmers: that movement and community are two of the most effective tools we have to support wellbeing, especially in rural areas.

Friday morning was host to a beautiful sunrise walk, along the shores of Lake Bonney. It was a relaxed and welcoming way to get moving, enjoy the stunning local scenery, and connect with one another. After the walk, we gathered for coffee and conversation — a big thank you to The Lakes Café for hosting us and helping create such a friendly space to slow down, chat and connect.

Saturday was all about preventive health, with an incredible turnout from the local community. Flinders University’s International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing provided free health checks, with more than 60 people taking the opportunity to test indicators related to heart disease and Type 2 diabetes risk. These checks are a valuable reminder that many health conditions can go unnoticed without testing — you never truly know your levels until you check. Early awareness can be a game changer when it comes to managing health and making positive lifestyle changes.

We were also grateful to share our marquee with the FaB mentors, who generously gave their time to connect with community members and share resources and support throughout the day. Seeing so many people engage, ask questions and take proactive steps towards their health was incredibly encouraging.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, walked with us, had a chat, got tested, or simply stopped by to say hello. We’re especially thankful to Preventive Health SA for enabling this weekend to happen, and to our partners and supporters who made it such a success.