Inspirational farmer Mary Guy has been awarded the Country Community Woman of the Year in Football at the annual Country legends Lunch ahead of the Powercor Country Festival match between Essendon and Geelong.

Presented by Kevin Sheedy, thanks to Virgin Australia, Mary received two return flights to anywhere on the Virgin network..

Mary has been involved with the Simpson Football Netball Club for most of her life, working at the dairy farm for majority of the week but escaping to watch and support her local team.

In November 2016, Mary tragically said goodbye to her husband James, who at 55 years of age, lost his battle with depression. He left behind Mary and their three children, Rhiannon, Shaun and Courtney.

After the loss of her husband, Mary has been working with the community to raise awareness for mental health and provide outlets for those suffering.

“Sports gets people out of their houses, it’s getting people involved in the community, it’s getting people talking – that’s all really important for mental health,” Mary said.

“Mental health locks people away. If you have something to look forward to and if you’re encouraged to be part of a team or part of a community, it helps mental health. It is vitally important.”

During Essendon’s 2018 Community Camp to Port Campbell Kevin Sheedy, Zach and Jackson Merrett, Darcy Parish and Jordan Ridley made the trip up to Simpson to visit Mary and her family and help out for the afternoon at the farm.

Mary said sport in local communities is an outlet for all farmers.

“It’s time off our farms, somewhere for farmers to have a break from all the stress, tensions and worries,” Mary said.

“You go to the local football club with your family and friends and everyone has a good time. It brings the community together.

“The young children idolise the AFL players so when they play football, they want to be like the big boys.

“The AFL is promoting community now and so it’s building it from the grass roots.”

Zach Merrett said the Country Festival provides an opportunity to thank the country for the impact it has on all Australian lives.

“As players in this industry, we can really promote, celebrate and enjoy all the country has to offer. We need to educate more Australians on that – the impact the country has on the city,” Zach said.

“We are fortunate enough to play with Geelong, who have really brought into the Country Festival.

“The most important part is the build-up and the awareness that provides.”

Jackson Merrett reiterated the importance of raising awareness to the great work Victorian farmers do.

“It’s vital for people in the city to see where the milk comes from, it doesn’t just turn up in the supermarket. There is a lot of good people in the country, doing a lot of hard work to provide us with fresh produce. It’s good to see what happens behind the scenes,” Jackson said.  

 “The community, especially throughout sporting clubs are very loyal, they are very passionate towards sport and will do anything for their teams.

“By visiting these small towns, it’s something we can give back to the community, taking to kids – they take a lot from that.”

Essendon’s visit to Mary’s dairy farm will be aired during the half time break of the broadcast of the Country Festival game between the Bombers and Cats on Saturday afternoon.