The pair were the star attractions at the Farmers’ Night Off event in Warrnambool on Tuesday night, which was attended by about 600 farmers from around the district.

Renowned for their toughness on the footy field and as the larrikin presenters of The Footy Show, Lyon and Newman were joined by beyondblue ambassador Peter McCall.

The point of Farmers’ Night Off is to get men to talk, something they are notoriously bad at when it comes to their health, especially if it’s their mental health.

But listening to McCall, Newman and Lyon sharing their experiences, their ups and downs, their triumphs and disasters must have been enormously beneficial to the roomful of men (and women) who as farmers do it tougher than most.

The three were there at the invitation of beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett, who kicked off the inaugural Farmers’ Night Off last year.

It is important for men to understand that depression, or the ‘black dog’ as it is sometimes known, can make a victim of just about anyone and it is most certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

It can be caused by any number of things, including long-term unemployment, abusive relationships, genetic history, drug or alcohol abuse or, as is the case for many farmers, stress at work or prolonged periods of loneliness or long-term isolation.

There are also several ways in which it can be treated, but the first step is to acknowledge it and that’s what Farmers’ Night Off is all about.

Lyon and Newman might have had something to do with it, but the fact that 600 turned up to the Lighthouse Theatre must mean that the message is getting through to men who work on the land — you’re not alone and there is help out there.

The stigma that has existed around mental illness and depression is slowly being broken down thanks to events like Farmers’ Night Off and organisations such as beyondblue.

So let’s keep the conversation going, guys.