News

Gunbower’s free health event fights rural isolation

By Jaci Hicken

Jul 7, 2026

Harvesting Health Event is a free rural health and wellbeing event coming to Gunbower to address isolation and health challenges in regional communities. Pictured are Harvesting Health Event organisers Kristy Puls, Danielle Paterson and Mel Taylor. Photo: Cindy Power Photography

A free rural health and wellbeing event is coming to Gunbower, aiming to tackle the isolation and health challenges facing regional communities.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Harvesting Health Event will be held at The Gunbower Butter Factory, 34-36 Main St, Gunbower, on Thursday, August 13 from 10am to 2pm.

Attendance is free, but places are limited and registration is essential at harvestinghealthevent.com.au.

Organiser Mel Taylor said the event grew out of genuine concern for her community.

“Our town is just dwindling away, the pub is now shut, our school shut, a lot of homes are sold as holiday homes,” she said.

“There is a lot of isolation.”

Mrs Taylor said the health barriers facing rural people were a driving force behind the event.

“We all know what it is like with farmers having a ‘she'll be right’ attitude and not prioritising their health,” she said.

“Also, it is really hard to get an appointment with a GP.

“If you haven’t been to the GP in 12 months, you are quite often turned away, just adding another element to making it difficult for people to get their health checked.”

Echuca Regional Health and Lockington District Bush Nursing Centre will conduct health checks on the day, covering BMI calculation, blood pressure measurement, mental health assessment and diabetes risk screening.

Molescan Australia will also provide skin checks throughout the event.

Mrs Taylor pointed to the story of Gabby, a 31-year-old mother-of-two who is terminally ill from skin cancer and is featured on the event's website as a reminder of why early detection matters.

“Bookings are essential, because we do have a limited number of nurses available, so it is a ticketed event and people must register for health checks,” Mrs Taylor said.

The day includes lunch, coffee and a range of guest speakers on various topics concerning regional people.

Keynote speaker Warren Davies, known as the Unbreakable Farmer, will share his story of resilience and recovery.

A guest panel will cover succession planning, financial planning, mental health and building resilience, with the event hosted by MC Matt O’Connor from Elders Echuca.

Mrs Taylor said the event was open to everyone in the region.

“The event is important because it fosters community connection, also prioritising their health and wellbeing,” she said.

“Strong communities also do require healthy, strong people.”

The event is proudly sponsored by The Thomson Family, National Centre For Farmer Health, Elders Echuca, Coolabah Turf, Morrison & Sawers Lawyers, Moama Bakery, McLean Farms, Rich Glen, The Gunbower Butter Factory and Zoe's Little Flower Farm.