Here at Lapping Oz we strive to showcase all the wonderful things about our home – Australia. So far, our travel blogs are all about the creamiest, most delicious parts of some of Australia’s most remote and epic camping locations.
Since we were both young children, we’ve been with our families heading out of the big ‘ol smoke to explore beyond the city limits. Adam has very fond memories of his annual family holiday to the caravan parks of Lake Conjola on the South Coast of New South Wales. Mia remembers going off grid in the family’s Millard Caravan to the banks of the Shoalhaven River and sitting by the campfire with friends of all ages coming together.
Fast forward to 2018, we have our own family now, creating new memories to last forever. Being on the road has been life changing. It does not escape us that there are many other families who would love to embark on the same type of adventure, however circumstances aren’t quite right yet or may never be able take the leap out of ‘normal life’.
We know we are incredibly privileged to be on our journey.
We prefer to refrain from the word ‘lucky’. This type of adventure requires planning, saving and sacrifice. No luck involved at all.
We are advocates for travelling Australia but we are also here to encourage you to do what makes you happy.
There are some of us that do not want to travel. They love to be home. They love their jobs or have the career they always wanted. And thats okay too.
For the past few weeks we have been traversing through country Victoria. The landscape is a stark contrast to the coastal towns and cities. Car dealerships make way for Farming Machinery Dealerships. Housing Estates are few as the land is used to grow food instead. We have passed fields of hay, wheat, citrus, grapes to name of few. We’ve seen livestock like cattle and sheep grazing away at the short grass or bundles of hay. We get to share this with our children and help them to develop an appreciation of where our food comes from.
Like most rural parts of Australia, country regions are the backbone of the nations food supply.
We’ve been following for some time now an interesting Instagram account dedicated entirely to farmers. Ben Brooksby established The Naked Farmer in 2017 with the aim to share images of Australian farmers to people from non rural areas. He wanted people to acknowledge and appreciate the farmers who produce our food and to share where our food comes from. He also wanted people to smile and laugh!
People in rural areas are some of the toughest people on the planet but can do it really hard and for some, life can be a struggle.
Statistics have proved that the suicide rate in the agricultural industry is almost double of any other.
Ben will set off on an Australia wide tour starting on 25th June 2018 to meet followers and farmers who want their photo taken and talk about farming life. A calendar is being created with fundraising efforts going towards the Royal Flying Doctors Service Mental Health Unit. They have dedicated professionals who visit remote towns and communities to provide treatment and support. How awesome is that?! They are available 24/7 on 1300 887 678. You can pre order The Naked Farmer 2019 calendar and find out more about Ben and his mission at www.thenakedfarmerco.com.au
“It takes guts to get your gear off and it takes guts to talk about mental health issues”
Lifeline are also available on 13 11 14 and BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636.
Lapping Oz are proud supporters of The Naked Farmer.
