Tuesday 10 August 2021
Local farmerturned-author ‘chooses hope’ Life is richer now for Marlborough farmer-turned-author Doug Avery. Ahead of the launch of his new book launch next year, he tells Chris Valli how his advocacy work for mental health enriches his life. Hope. It’s a word and a value that 2010 ‘South Island Farmer of the Year’ Doug Avery is becoming accustomed to in all facets of life. The Groundswell New Zealand protests last month from farmers across the country was a day that, according to Doug, rural people found their unity and voice. Indeed, he says, it was a day where the support on the side of the road was positive and encouraging; it was a day of hope. In 2017, Avery wrote a book aptly named the Resilient Farmer in collaboration with Margie Thomson, author of John Kirwan’s book All Blacks Don’t Cry: A Story of Hope. Living a life of perspective, being present and listening to those in need is all the boost he needs, says Doug. “I used to think that if I could put 600 lambs on a truck and have them kill(ed) absolutely perfect and set a new record price for the farm for what I got for them, was the best day I ever had in life. “Today, if I can take a human being who is finding life really hard and in three months see them kicking goals from
halfway, I’m just chuffed!” After going through his own depression and personal battle following an eightyear drought, Avery explains how constant internal thoughts and monologue plagued him. The passionate farmer is only too raw and honest when he reflects about his own mental health journey and battle with depression. Avery’s depression, he says, came on because he thought he was failing his land and his family. In an emotional exchange and insight, Avery shows emotion that was extremely heartfelt and touched. He likens his recovery to learning to geese working together in a v-formation. But trusting others was a steep learning curve, he says. He says that up until he was 44, he felt like he had to be the ‘male’, to own everything and be the captain. It was the wrong approach to take, he explains, especially in the field of agriculture and farming where outside influences can certainly test one’s mettle. “The reason why they (geese) fly in a group is because they often get 71 per cent more flying distance when working with others. “The front goose has to work like hell while the other’s sit back and give the other geese to sit back and rest.” Doug realised he didn’t have to own everything. see page 2
Marlborough farmer Doug Avery is preparing to launch his new book. Photo: Supplied.