AFL Victoria, in partenrship with WorkSafe, are once again on the search for Footy's Favourite Farmer, with the competition launching last month.
WorkSafe select one monthly winner from the pool of nominations, before selecting an overall winner at the end of the footy season.
In an historic first, AFL Victoria and WorkSafe are proud to announce the first ever female farmer selected as a monthly winner, Elise Hill from Cudgewa Football and Netball Club in North East Victoria.
Elise Hill is a progressive agricultural leader, local Holstein Friesian dairy stud farmer, and a profound pillar of humanitarian resilience who coordinates extensive, hands-on grassroots work for the Cudgewa Football Netball Club.
Previously celebrated as the Upper Murray league's ‘Volunteer of the Week’, Elise is a vital backbone for the Cudgewa Blues as a first aider, trainer, fundraiser, committee member, roster coordinator, umpire and someone everyone can and do talk to about their mental health.
Elise is widely renowned for her ability to channel immense personal adversity into action, which has included surviving the devastating Black Summer bushfires and navigating the tragic loss of her son to suicide.
Elise completed the locally acclaimed Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program to develop formal advocacy skills, subsequently leveraging the Club's annual Beyond Blue match days to establish a safe sanctuary that breaks down severe mental health stigmas among isolated farmers.
Furthermore, she balances this extensive club duties along with her role as a sub-committee member of the Alpine Valleys Dairy.
Elise is the monthly winner for May, with nominations open until July 31. Click here to learn more and submit a nomination.