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THEY have excelled on the netball court and football field but Geva Mentor and Ryan O’Keefe say the work ethic of the average farmer is worthy of commendation.
The Melbourne Vixens netballer and former Sydney Swans forward led a star-studded line up at the Farmers’ Night Out event in Warrnambool on Wednesday evening.
The dynamic sporting duo joined former Adelaide Crows player Andrew Jarman and Group One winning horse trainer Ciaron Maher as part of the annual agricultural get-together.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Ms Mentor said farmers in her homeland and Australia both shared an honest knock-about approach to life.
“It’s just a really good cause, a night off for the farmers,” the Melbourne Vixens netballer said.
“Farmers in the UK are pretty similar to the ones in Australia. Here in Australia they’re a bit more tanned, there’s a plenty more sunshine here. They’re hard workers but really friendly and genuine as well.”
Several of the stars were involved in the Road Raise bike ride from Adelaide to Melbourne. The ride is raising money for CanTeen, which helps young people with cancer, and money raised from the Farmers’ Night Off will also go towards CanTeen.
“I don’t know if they take many nights off throughout the year so the fact that we can celebrate their hard work and the fact that it’s teamed up with CanTeen as a charity, it’s all for a great cause,” Ms Mentor said.
The former Sydney Swans star has strong family links to the Western District and was keen to take part in the worthwhile cause.
“Farming’s been in the family for many years, started by my grandfather out at Winslow, a dairy farm out there,” Mr O’Keefe said. “I think it was a good time, two good organisations – Road Raise and Farmer Power – to join and have a good night.”
The night has been organised by Farmer Power, which was established in 2013 to advocate for farmers during tough economic times and to encourage them to look after their mental health.
Farmer Power spokesman Jock O’Keefe said the Wannon Rooms event enabled attendees to enjoy a meal along with a smattering of sporting-themed entertainment.
This week’s event was the third to be held in Warrnambool with last year’s social occasion starring television personalities Garry Lyons and Sam Newman at the Lighthouse Theatre.