Currawong Lakes, TAS, March 1, 2021 – Mark Wilkins from Team Tumby Bayers from Tumby Bayer, South Australia, has been crowned as the 2020 Bayer Big Fish Challenge Rural Angler of the Year. The year-long challenge, raising funds and awareness for men’s mental wellbeing, culminated on Sunday at Currowong Lakes, Tasmania where the finalists met to battle it out for the title
Bayer National Account Manager, Ben Thompson, thanked Mark Wilkins and the 120 teams who partipated in the Challenge for their commitment to the cause. Together the 374 participants raised $21,714 to support men’s mental wellbeing programs.
“On behalf of Bayer, I would like to congratulate Mark Wilkins along with the other state finalists that showed their support for men’s mental health and wellbeing,“ Mr Thompson said.
“Now in its third consecutive year, The Bayer Fig Fish Challenge has had strong support from rural communities across Australia. Some upload once a year, others are fishing addicts.
“What’s fantasitic is that both men and women are involved, often with their kids, all building awareness of mental health and learning that it’s okay to ask for help,“ Mr Thompson said
The state winners Challenge weekend included an introduction to men’s mental health with tasks and talks from Matt Tripet, founder of the Mental Health Charity The Fly Program.
Mark Wilkins, from Team Tumby Bayers said he was excited to participate in the Challenge in 2021 and help raise awareness of men’s mental health and wellbeing, a cause close to home.
“Fishing is a passion of mine, however combining that with raising awareness of mental health amongst my peers, makes participating in the challenge all the more special,” Mr Wilkins said.
“I’m looking forward to going home to sharing the skills and stories I’ve learnt over the weekend with my friends and family.”
Each year individuals and teams that are registered for the challenge, upload the fish they catch through the Bayer Big Fish Challenge app. Bayer contributes one dollar per centimetre of the largest fish per type caught by each team or individual to the Bayer AgSpirit Fund. The funds are then used by The Fly Program to facilitate a number of fully funded wellbeing programs, called AgSpirit retreats, to help rural Australian men in need of reprieve.
Bayer Big Fish Challenge:
South Australian farmer crowned Rural Angler of the Year
Mr Thompson said it can be difficult for rural men to take a break from the challenges of farming.
“We hope the Challenge continues to offer a way for men to look out for one another, while also enjoying the outdoors and fishing of which so many love,“ Mr Thompson said.
Registrations are now open for the 2021 Bayer Big Fish Challenge encouraging farmers, growers and any other interested individuals across rural Australia to register on the dedicated app.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. The company has operated in Australia since 1925 and has a long term commitment to the health and nutrition of all Australians. Locally, Bayer currently employs almost 900 people across the country and is dedicated to servicing the needs of rural and remote communities. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. For more information, go to crop.bayer.com.au