Stephen Parry is a 3rd generation mixed crop and sheep farmer from Coonooer West located 20km north of St Arnaud.

In this raw episode Steve gets brutally honest about the struggles of agriculture, buying land back from the bank, juggling debt and utilising off farm income to sustain finances during the 2000s drought.

On the side Steve is a musician and played drums on the ‘Big Yellow Taxi Parody’ which was a not-for-profit educational video aimed to raise awareness of the 500KV VNI-WEST overhead transmissions lines. Which in its infant planning stages were cast over the Phillips family farm.

Steve is also our host, Eleanor’s father and we thank Steve for being the first guinea pig on the podcast recorded back in August 2024.

So sit back, grab a cool drink and enjoy this little raw BONUS conversation!

Links:

Stay up to date with relevant and current information on

Wimmera Mallee Environmental and Agricultural Protection Association Inc.

Website: https://www.wmeap.com/

Socials: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CntNJ6n8j/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Big Yellow Taxi Parody Video:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DEdiwdqiSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyINKHVOIOx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1G9ugYtHg2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Ben Duxson is a 6th generation farmer from the small community of Kanya, located 250kms North West of Melbourne.

Ben and his multigenerational family sheep farming enterprise are currently facing direct impact of the 500KV VNI-West overhead proposed transmission lines.

Ben has been a huge advocate alongside the Wallaloo-Gre Gre group. More recently in March 2025 Ben hosted a community meeting in his shearing shed in Kanya with special guests Nationals Mallee MP Anne Webster, Federal Shadow Minister for Energy Ted O’Brien MP and Victorian Shadow Minister for Energy David Davis.

Link to video: https://www.instagram.com/annewebster4mallee/reel/DH_6DJCNthx/

Since this podcast was recorded in August 2024 there has been a plethora of new information released. The discussion had in this podcast is still unfolding and relevant to today’s events.

Check out Ben’s story and let us know what you think in the comments below.

“As the government says themselves….. there’s no transition without transmission” - Ben Duxson Hey Farmer Farmer Podcast.

Ross is a 5th generation farmer from the surrounding community of Warracknabeal, located 330kms northwest of Melbourne. Ross has been the director of ABB Grains Ltd and Deputy Chairman on the GRDC Grains Research and Development Corporation. Ross is currently facing the issues surrounding the ‘Warracknabeal Energy Park’ which includes wind turbines and a bordering Battery Energy Storage System [BESS].

Since this podcast interview Ross has become president of the newly formed group ‘Wimmera Mallee Environmental and Agricultural Protection Association’, which aims to distribute facts about wind farm and proposed transmission build, website coming soon.

This is another great episode which looks at the broader issues surrounding renewable energy and the ripple effects it will have into our communities future! Tune in and feel free to let us know what you think!

Gerald is a fourth generation farmer from Gooroc Victoria, located 20kms north of St Arnaud. Gerald and his brother are facing direct impact of the proposed 500KV VIN West transmission line path.

This is one jam packed episode which collectively looks at the issues surrounding the roll out of renewables, the huge environmental costs and importance farming plays within our community.

Enjoy this real down to earth conversation!

Tess is a fourth-generation farmer from the rural community of Rupanyup, located 294kms north-west of Melbourne. After working abroad as a schoolteacher Tess quickly realised her love and passion for the family farm, prompting her to return home and work the land alongside her sister.

Tess’s family farm is bordering a proposed wind farm with her family home to be within 1.6kms of a 280-meter-high wind turbine. In this raw episode Tess bravely opens up on the mental health struggles farmers are facing, hush money, community uncertainty and the concerning environmental impacts associated with the project.

Tess is also one of the members of the Southern Wimmera Renewables Research Association (SWRRA) whose main objective is to unite and empower people with independent information. More information can be found on their website https://www.swrra.com/

Hear Tess’s story!

Bill Baldwin is a young farmer from the small community of Marnoo 40km west of St Arnaud. After completing school and his studies at Longerenong college Bill return to his family farm of 6 generations in 2019.

2023 Bill and his family discovered that their family farm and house are directly affected by the proposed 500KV VNI West transmission line path.

From mental health to the dangers associated with this project get to know our local young farmer Bill's story!