ALFA's Community Heroes Award, sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, is back for the fourth year running. This heart-warming award recognises and rewards feedlots across Australia for their outstanding contributions to local communities and the environment.
The overall winner will receive a $5,000 cash donation that can be directed towards a local charity, business, or feedlot initiative, further enriching their communities.
Mental health a mission for Mort & Co
By Kate Stark
Mort & Co is on a health and safety mission and has not only committed to a strong workplace health and safety culture but is also proudly investing in mental health.
Recognised by a bronze level certification from WorkSafe Queensland, the team at Mort & Co’s focus on mental health comes from the top.
Executive chairman and founder Charlie Mort is passionate about taking action to reduce the rising statistics of Australians living with mental health disorders.
With three feedlots across southern Queensland, the company takes a comprehensive approach through supporting mental health awareness and treatment including mental health first aid training.
Mort & Co also strive to fund prevention, partnering with the Florey Institute, a research institute investigating brain biomarkers that can contribute to preventative strategies in mental health.
Mr Mort said, in addition to supporting organisations like Momentum, Black Dog Institute, Trademutt, Beyond Blue and Lifeline, the company has established ‘Mort’s Mates’.
This special fundraising group holds events and encourages like-minded businesses to jump on board and spread the mental health message.
“The initiative kicked off in 2022 with the launch of our annual Mort’s Mates Golf Day and was followed by our first Mort’s Mates Gala Dinner later that same year,” Mr Mort said.
“These two events alone raised over $100,000 for charities including The Lighthouse, Momentum Mental Health and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.”
Mort & Co has chosen The Florey as its Mort’s Mates beneficiary out of a desire to contribute to mental health disease prevention.
“Guest speakers have included Sam Bloom, who has fought her own mental health challenges and shared her story to our 200+ gala attendees.
“We also had Professor Jess Nithianantharajah speak on the wonderful work The Florey is doing and the ground-breaking research the institute is undertaking,” he said.
“The events have also served as a jumping board for other businesses to show their support for the cause and raise awareness within their own teams and communities.
“We endeavour to continue our support for mental health in a number of ways, with the ultimate goal of our Mort’s Mates initiative to be upheld as a legacy of Mort & Co and its mates.”
Mr Mort said more than 40 Mort & Co employees have already completed mental health first aid training.
“That means one in every eight people is qualified to recognise the symptoms of emerging or worsening mental health problems in their colleagues and community, and provide support until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.”
Mr Mort said Mort & Co encourages all feedlot businesses to engage with mental health care for employees by establishing similar initiatives.
“The events have been an opportunity for the Mort & Co community to band together and support a cause that ultimately supports the mental wellbeing of its people.
“The gravity of this initiative, however, would not be significant without our continued support for mental health in other areas, including ongoing mental health first aid training across each of our sites and our internal Mort for a Cause events.”
Mr Mort said, as a result of the team’s focus on mental health, Mort & Co has officially been recognised as a Skilled Workplace for Mental Health by the Mental Health First Aid of Australia.
About the ALFA Community Heroes Award
Mort & Co has entered the ALFA Community Heroes Award which recognises and rewards feedlots which are actively nourishing their community and environment. The winner, announced at BeefEx in October, will receive a $5,000 cash donation towards a local charity, business, or feedlot initiative to assist in further development and impact of the initiative.
With thanks to our ALFA Platinum Member sponsor, Lallemand Animal Nutrition for their support of this Award.
