This article discusses suicide and may be distressing for some readers.
Elise Hill was nominated for her extraordinary contribution to the Upper Murray community, where she balances life as a dairy farmer with extensive charitable work and numerous volunteer roles at the Cudgewa Football Netball Club.
As this year's winner, Elise has secured $10,000 worth of safety improvements for her farm and a further $10,000 in safety upgrades for Cudgewa FNC.
The annual competition, run by WorkSafe in partnership with Netball Victoria and AFL Victoria, recognises Victorian farmers who go above and beyond for their local sporting clubs and communities.
A driving force behind the Cudgewa Blues
For years, Elise has been a driving force behind the Cudgewa Blues, volunteering as a first aider, trainer, fundraiser, committee member, roster coordinator and umpire. She's also become a trusted source of support for locals experiencing mental health challenges.
Elise said helping others had always been part of life in the Upper Murray.
"For a lot of us around here it's never been about awards or recognition. We all pitch in and help others however we can because that's what being part of a community means."
Earlier this year, Elise and her husband stepped in to support the family of a local farmer who tragically died following a quad bike rollover, helping maintain dairy operations and care for livestock.
WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson said Elise's commitment to supporting others could be felt across the region.
"Whether she's supporting her local club, advocating for better mental health awareness, running her dairy operation safely and smoothly, or helping neighbours through tough times, Elise is always looking out for others. The strongest communities and safest workplaces are built on people who genuinely care for one another, which is exactly the spirit that Elise embodies and why she is such a worthy winner."
Turning loss into community strength
Elise's own experiences inspired much of her community work. After the devastating 2019–20 bushfires destroyed much of her family's farm and livestock, Elise and her community grappled with immense loss, including the death of her 21-year-old son Sam to suicide.
"We lost five young men in our community in about 15 months after the fires. Three of them were from suicide. We didn't see that coming but it really encouraged us to try to do something for the community and to bring us together to reflect on the losses."
Elise helped establish a local suicide prevention action group and has used the club's annual Beyond Blue match days to encourage conversations about mental health among isolated farmers.
Elise and her husband were also one of three local Upper Murray families that started the annual Corryong Spirit event, bringing people together to share their grief instead of holding it in.
Practical safety improvements
As someone who understands the importance of farm safety and looking out for others in regional communities, Elise said the grand prize would deliver practical benefits.
"This prize money will bring definite benefits for everyone. We can always find safety improvements on the farm such as guards on tractors and rollover protection systems for our motorbikes. At the club, we could upgrade our timekeeper's box and make it safer for volunteers."
About Footy's Favourite Farmer
This year's Footy's Favourite Farmer competition attracted nominations from across Victoria, with finalists each receiving a farm safety package valued at almost $2,000, an OHS Essentials workplace safety consultation and sporting equipment for their local club.
WorkSafe's agriculture campaign, Safety – it does more than keep you safe, returns to television, radio, print, online, social media and outdoor from 20 September, reminding farmers of the wide-ranging benefits safety provides.
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Support is available. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 .
