The Mental Health in the Agriculture industry webinar was held on 8 October 2025 during Queensland Mental Health Week 2025 to spotlight psychosocial hazards in rural and regional industries.
Webinar video
- Watch the Mental Health in the Agriculture industry webinar video
- View the webinar slides (PDF, 1.91 MB)
- Ruth Thompson, grain policy director at AgForce Queensland
- Dr Tim Driscoll, clinical psychologist and state manager of mental health at Royal Flying Doctor Service
- Jasmin Smith, SmartAg Queensland Project Manager at Queensland Farmers’ Federation
1.30pm | Welcome by master of ceremonies |
1.35pm | Addressing psychosocial hazards in rural Queensland |
2.05pm | Panel discussion: Practical strategies for safer rural workplaces – facilitated by master of ceremonies Chris Bombolas. |
2.35pm | Closing remarks |
Speakers
Former media manager at Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Chris, has over 25 years of media experience. Throughout his extensive career, Chris spent nearly 21 years at Channel 9 and contributed to various radio stations, including 4BC, 4BK, and Triple M. At Channel 9, Chris actively served as a reporter, presenter, football commentator and Commonwealth Games reporter.
Chris is highly regarded for his skill as a host and master of ceremonies, overseeing numerous corporate functions for organisations including Surf Lifesaving QLD, Channel 9, Professionals Real Estate Group, Zupps, NRL, QLD Cricket, Brisbane Broncos, AMF Australia, and the Queensland Government.
Dr Tim Driscoll is a clinical psychologist and state manager for mental health at the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland section). He leads the strategic delivery of mental health and wellbeing services across rural and remote Queensland, with a strong focus on community connection, access, and cultural responsiveness.
Raised in regional Western Australia, Tim combines lived experience and clinical expertise to support farming communities. His work spans program design, disaster recovery, workforce development, and mental health literacy, often in places where the paddock and the clinic are separated by hours of red dirt.
Passionate about supporting the agricultural sector, Tim advocates for services that address the unique pressures faced by primary producers, including drought, isolation, succession stress, and economic uncertainty. He works closely with agribusiness, community leaders, and government to ensure services make sense on the ground.
Ruth grew up on a mixed farming operation in central west New South Wales and now resides in South East Queensland. Her passion for agriculture has led her to diverse roles, including agronomy, territory manager with Nufarm, and projects and installations manager with Clipex Stockyards.
She is currently policy director at AgForce Queensland, where she drives positive change across the grains commodity, workforce and safety, telecommunications, and social policy.
Jasmin Smith is a Project Manager at Queensland Farmers’ Federation, where she leads workforce development and training initiatives through SmartAg Queensland.
Jasmin has delivered innovative solutions tailored to Queensland’s Agriculture industry, overseeing programs such as cotton picker operator training, advanced spray training and bespoke business training, alongside regular safety training. These initiatives have enabled over 3000 Queensland farmers to access quality training over the last 18 months.
Deeply committed to the advancement of Queensland’s Agricultural sector, Jasmin continues to advocate for strategic investment in skills, safety, and innovation.
More information
Email events@oir.qld.gov.au for more information.