LOWER Mount Walker dairy farmer Ross Blanch is the winner of the 2021 You’re an Inspiration Full Circle and Reconciliation Award for his volunteer service for more than two decades with the Ipswich Lifeline Crisis Support centre.
The Full Circle Award acknowledges the courage and creativity of Lifeline volunteers ultimately recognising where a light has been shone to brighten another life.
Ross said that his involvement with Lifeline started when he decided that he wanted to help the community in some way.
“After researching different support groups and community organisations in the area I found Lifeline,” he said.
“When I heard about the nomination for the award, I was shocked though the whole experience including the presentation at City Hall in Brisbane was spectacular.
“I am proud of my work, something that might feel like a big deal or a crisis to someone is what makes me be the open ear that they need to talk too.
“Throughout the years of service, I would say that the 2011 floods were one of the most challenging experiences that I have had to face due to the number of homes lost and the families that it effected.
“These experiences have taught me to just listen, to be resilient and to support individuals through what they may think is the worst time of their life.”
Ross is the recipient of phone calls from people of all walks of life, he has supported people who have suffered from mental health, domestic violence, suicide and loneliness.
Travelling throughout Queensland, he has supported farmers in many different towns and places just to be a shoulder to lean on.
“Some people do not know how to ask for help or they just feel like their pride is too much to give into, but truly no matter who you are there is always help out there,” he said.
“I enjoy my days working on my family dairy farm, talking to the cows and enjoying the country life, the addition of being there for others has given me another purpose in life one that I am so grateful for.”
Ross has helped with operations from the horse flu outbreak in 2007, to the 2011 floods in Ipswich and Central Queensland’s Cyclone Marcia in 2015 and he has now initiated a new program through Lifeline called Farmer to Farmer.
