Podcast focusing on rural fathers

A Tasmanian charity supporting rural mothers has turned its attention to fathers in its new podcast series.

Motherland has launched its eight-part series, Father Land, with each episode focusing on a different father and their mental health challenges.

“Across rural Australia, too many men are suffering in silence,” said Motherland founder and podcast host Stephanie Trethewey.

“They’re facing relentless pressures like drought, floods, isolation, financial strain, and for many, the weight of it all is carried quietly, especially by fathers who feel they must stay strong for everyone else.”

Tasmanian farmer Piers Dumaresq is one of those interviewed on the podcast series, with the episode featuring him coming out on October 1.

He is a sixth-generation farmer and owner of Mount Ireh Estate, a historic mixed farming operation at Bishopsbourne that has been in his family since 1829.

Mr Dumaresq said the breakdown of his marriage in 2021 was the catalyst for him to start his life coaching business, Unbreakable Resilience.

“I used that time as an opportunity to help improve my mental state after going through what was quite a difficult period,” he said.

“There’s this feeling of a loss of identity that comes from this change that is sudden and thrust upon you, and then rediscovering that identity, what that means and who you’re going to be on the other side of that.

“I now have a renewed sense of purpose in life and renewed confidence in how I go about things.”

Mr Dumaresq urged those in remote areas to speak up and utilise mental health support services if they were struggling.

“What you are probably going through is probably very similar to what most people go through,” he said.

“Being a common thing, you shouldn’t be hiding it because there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Mr Dumaresq said his existing friendship with Mrs Trethewey and her husband, Sam, led to him being on the podcast.

"We sometimes forget that our struggles and emotions aren't defined by being a father, a mother, a husband or a wife - they're defined by being human.

“Our challenges aren't divided by gender - they're a shared human experience.

“And that truth unites us as a community - none of us are truly alone.”