The “Fat Farmers” program building healthy and connected communities at The Valleys

The Valleys Lifestyle Centre ran its first Fat Farmers session this week (5 August), giving farmers and community members around Clare a new way to keep active and stay connected.

Fat Farmers is a rural health charity started in 2012 by three farmers at Maitland on Yorke Peninsula, who began training together after their footy careers ended. It now supports groups in towns across the country, each run by a local champion, and The Valleys is hosting the Clare group.

By combining movement with regular social connection, the Fat Farmers program strengthens the wider community by reducing isolation, creating new relationships and giving people a shared reason to come together. The first session reflected that purpose, with participants getting involved, encouraging one another and sharing a laugh throughout the morning. Starting at 6:30am, The program runs every Wednesday morning, with each session followed by a coffee and a yarn. This relaxed format helps participants build healthy routines while strengthening relationships with others in their community, comments from the community highlighting the "fantastic turnout and vibe,” and other locals looking to attend when they are back home in Clare.

Bringing Fat Farmers to The Valleys is a great example of YMCA SA’s mission in action. “The program creates a welcoming and accessible space where people can improve their health, feel supported and build a stronger sense of belonging,” said Sonia, the local Community Wellbeing Director at Valleys. Sonia continues, “It responds directly to the needs of rural communities, where demanding work, distance and limited opportunities for group exercise can make it harder to prioritise wellbeing.”

Platinum Ag Services – Clare, proudly supports the local Fat Farmers initiative through its sponsorship, helping make these weekly opportunities possible.

For interested locals, bookings can be made by contacting the centre on (08) 8842 3999, or by booking online at: www.thevalleys.com.au/gym/fat-farmers-program