Vets Victory Over Farmers for a Good Cause
The Morwell Bowling Club was hallowed ground on Thursday 28th of May at the inaugural Vets .Vs Farmers Lawn Bowls Challenge.
Over 35 of Gippsland’s finest rural Veterinarians and their colleagues responded to Valley Farmers’ challenge at a game of Lawn Bowls.
Chelsea Hair, a large-animal vet from Herd Solutions was acted as ambassador for Team Vet. Meanwhile, Valley Farmers Vice—President, Stewart Cluning was ambassador for Team Farmer. A gathering was arranged on the green pre-battle to rouse a competitive spirit. Chelsea opened fire, “Aren’t you sick and tired of arriving at a farmer’s place and then having to catch the patient first! How come every Farmer can drive a Landcruiser and have a Prado to duck into town but can’t afford a decent cattle crush?” Team Farmer was quick to reply - “Farmers invented working from home, now everyone’s doing it, where’s our recognition?” cried Stewart.
Team ambassadors, Chelsea Hair for Team Vet and Stewart Cluning for Team Farmer. Photo credit: Gippsland Farmer
Then battle commenced. There was blood, sweat and tears but ultimately it was Team Vet that won 22-18. Whilst Team Farmer lost at their own challenge, Valley Farmers conceded a congratulations to a well-deserved Team Vet and promised revenge for a 2027 re-match.
Challenge victors, Team Vet holding the inaugural Farmers’ Challenge trophy. Credit: Gippsland Farmer
The real star of the evening was Dr Becky Dickinson who shared her inspiring story on how a music student in London transitioned to a renowned Gippsland Vet and the 2026 Victorian Rural Woman of the year. Becky bravely described how her brushes with mental health challenges over this time and how this pivoted her to channel her energy into Veterinary Support Services (VSS). This service provides ongoing mentoring and training graduate rural vets. Her message on how the vets and farmers can better work together and watch out for each other keeps our food industry strong and rural communities alive. We thank Becky for making such an intimate, authentic and brave speech and it certainly made a positive impact on our audience.
Dr Becky Dickinson from Veterinary Support Services talks tackling mental health to Matt Lloyd, President of Valley Farmers.
This evening wouldn’t have been possible without funding from the National Centre for Farmer Health. Credit to Gippsland Farmer for sharing many great pics of the night and to our host Morwell Bowling Club who kindly offered their volunteer bowls coaches and their seamless hospitality.
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