Leila McDougall recognised as Victorian Australian of the Year finalist
- lisacoleman2
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Filmmaker and mental health advocate Leila McDougall has been recognised as a finalist for the 2026 Victorian Australian of the Year Awards, thanks to her extraordinary work bringing mental health conversations to regional communities through her feature film Just A Farmer.
Leila describes the nomination as deeply meaningful:
“It’s never been about awards or accolades, but I’ve been told it’s okay to pause, be proud and enjoy the moment. Being nominated for Australian of the Year feels deeply meaningful because it shows that the film is doing its job. When I started Just a Farmer, so many people told me it wouldn’t work. That no one would watch a film about farming or mental health. But I knew the story mattered. And it turns out, people everywhere have seen themselves in it. Because Just a Farmer is not just about farming, it’s a universal story told through the eyes of a rural family. It’s a story that belongs to everyone.”
Just A Farmer: a film that’s changing lives
Just A Farmer is a powerful Australian feature film tackling one of the most pressing issues in rural and regional life - mental health and suicide prevention. Unlike traditional documentaries, the story is deeply personal, focusing on the families and communities left behind after suicide.
Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier in regional communities, where suicide rates are disproportionately high - men in rural areas are 75% more likely to die by suicide than their metropolitan counterparts. With 11 suicides occurring daily in Australia (9 of them men), films like Just A Farmer play a crucial role in sparking conversations and offering hope. The filmmakers’ goal was simple but profound: if the film could save even one life, it would be worth it.
Since its release in March 2024, the film’s reach and impact have grown beyond all expectations:
96 community screenings so far, attended by more than 10,000 people
An estimated 75,000 conversations about mental health sparked across rural Australia
Nine-week theatrical run across 80+ cinemas, ranking 17th at the Australian box office in opening week
National broadcast on Channel 9 reaching 760,000 viewers, with 1 million more seeing the story featured on A Current Affair
Continuous streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV in the US
International acclaim, with multiple awards and speaking invitations across Australia, the USA, Europe and Sweden.
Audience feedback shows that 81% of viewers felt more comfortable discussing mental health after seeing the film, and 93% knew someone who needed help but might not attend a public event - highlighting the film’s unique ability to reach those who often struggle in silence.
Freemasons Foundation Victoria: supporting the story that’s saving lives
The Foundation’s support came at a critical moment - ensuring the film could move from production to cinema screens and reach audiences who needed it most.
At community screenings, 80–150 people typically attend - sometimes more than 200, filling local halls to capacity. Local mental health support networks are on hand to offer assistance, and around half of all screenings now include Leila in person, leading heartfelt post-film conversations. It’s the discussions that happen after the film that are perhaps the most powerful outcome - people opening up, sharing their stories, and seeking help for the first time.
Inspiring action across the regions
When James Thompson OAM of Swan Hill Lodge heard Leila speak at a Freemasons Foundation Victoria event in early 2025, he was inspired to bring the film home. Partnering with Mallee Family Care, Swan Hill Lodge hosted a community screening at the Town Hall in July, drawing more than 100 people for a powerful evening of storytelling and connection, followed by a conversation discussing wellbeing and mental health.
“This small but powerful event brought over 100 people together, and the conversations that followed were deeply moving and meaningful,”
Kelly Wandel, Community Screening Liaison Manager for Just A Farmer.
An invitation to Lodges
With screenings continuing to expand across regional Australia, there’s an open invitation for Victorian Lodges to host or support a community screening in their local area.
These events not only bring people together but create a safe, supported space for honest conversations about mental health - helping communities connect, heal, and look out for one another.
Lodges interested in hosting or partnering on a regional screening can contact the Just A Farmer team to learn more about how to get involved.
