When Farmers Hit Breaking Point, Mates Show Up

Mick is an accomplished poet, author and song writer. He writes for and has been published many times in National magazines including R M Williams “Outback” magazine. He frequently presents his poetry on ABC radio. His poem “Mates at the gate” has been picked up by Country singer, Ashley Cook and is looking like a good chance for a Golden Guitar in Tamworth.Mick has been either a compere or feature poet at Monagaribli Care flight charity show, Boondooma Spirit of the bush, The Queensland outback Golf spectacular in Winton, NQ’s Rockin Queensland in Mackay, a series of Brisbane shows with “The Vixens of Fall”, the RNA (Brisbane Ekka) as a judge and as a feature performer. Mick runs workshops for adults and students. He judges poetry competitions all around the Country.Mick is a harmonica player in a small musical group called “Three legged onion” He is a busy, busy chap and says “If you’re not living life on the edge you are probably taking up too much room”Mick started and runs a rural family support charity called Mates at the GateMick says “I have written and memorised many poems based on my time in the bush, on our farm as well as in fire service. He loves the dry humour and gutsy determination of people who work the land. Poems like “mates at the gate” and “All but Barton” come from real life experience. His shows are often described as comedy shows but they are much more than that.Chapters00:00 Intro00:42 Meet Mick Martin01:03 What Is Mates at the Gate?02:23 How the Charity Started During the Drought04:39 The First Farmer Trip to Fraser Island06:57 The Generosity of Everyday Australians08:15 Volunteer Tradies Helping Rural Families10:26 Why Retreats Matter for Farmers12:14 Ladies Retreats and Mental Health Support13:01 The Media, Hope, and Aussie Culture16:45 Why People Still Want to Help19:28 Community, Assimilation, and Australian Identity25:16 One Flag, One Nation, One Direction28:22 The Mission Statement for Mates at the Gate31:01 How to Nominate or Contact Mates at the Gate33:25 Why Farming Wives Carry So Much37:19 Building Support After the Retreats38:32 A Classic Bush Pub Story40:01 What Happens on the Men’s Retreats42:52 Are You Bogged Mate and Rural Mental Health44:20 How Retreat Spots Are Chosen47:10 On-Farm Projects and Rebuilding Homes52:19 Mick’s Classic Toilet Story54:15 Mates at the Gate Poem58:08 Closing