Most of them would not ask for recognition. In fact, plenty would be uncomfortable with the idea of a day dedicated to them.
But perhaps that is exactly why we need one.
International Men’s Day, held on 19 November each year, celebrates the contribution men and boys make to their families, workplaces and communities. It also encourages an honest conversation about men’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.
For rural and regional men, that conversation is particularly important.
In an episode of the podcast People I (Mostly) Admire, economist Steven Levitt speaks with author and researcher Richard V. Reeves about the challenges facing modern boys and men.
Reeves argues that society has successfully expanded the opportunities and expectations available to women, which is something worth celebrating. However, he believes we have been less successful in developing a positive, modern and useful story about what it means to be a man.
“The old script [for men has] been torn up and not replaced by a new one.”
Richard V. Reeves
That does not mean returning to outdated ideas about masculinity. It means giving boys and men a better script.
A script where strength includes asking for help. Where being a provider is valued, but a man’s worth is not determined solely by his pay packet. Where fathers, mentors, coaches, volunteers, workers and community leaders are recognised for the many different ways they contribute.
It also means reminding men that setbacks, unemployment, financial pressure, relationship breakdowns and loneliness do not make them useless or worthless.
A bloke’s value is greater than his job title, bank balance or ability to carry every burden on his own.
The latest revised figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show why this conversation cannot be dismissed as unnecessary.
Behind every number is a person. A son, father, husband, partner, brother, workmate or friend whose absence continues to be felt.
The challenge is even greater outside our major cities. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, suicide rates in 2023 were higher across every regional and remote classification than they were in Australia’s major cities.
The suicide rate in Very Remote Australia was more than twice the Major Cities rate. Smaller populations can make yearly figures fluctuate, but the broader pattern is clear.
Distance, isolation, drought, financial pressure, limited health services, long working hours and the tendency to battle on alone can combine to make life particularly difficult for rural men.
A Rural Men’s Day would not compete with International Men’s Day. It could become an Australian rural and regional focus held on the same date each year.
It would be an opportunity to:
It does not need to be flashy.
It might be a barbecue at the local pub, a toolbox talk, a breakfast at the saleyards, an event at the footy club, a school visit, a Men’s Shed gathering or simply ringing a mate you have not heard from for a while.
Most rural blokes would not want a trophy or a round of applause. But knowing someone notices what they do, values their contribution and genuinely wants to know how they are travelling can make a difference.
Meaningful work can provide men with far more than a wage. It can provide structure, confidence, mateship, responsibility and a sense of belonging.
Agriculture and rural industries offer opportunities where many men thrive. They can learn practical skills, contribute to a team, work outdoors and see the results of their effort.
But work cannot be the only measure of a man’s value.
Jobs change. Seasons fail. Businesses struggle. Injuries happen. Relationships end. Men retire. None of these things removes a person’s worth or the contribution they can still make.
Perhaps rewriting the script means replacing “toughen up and get on with it” with something more useful:
Work hard. Look after your mates. Be there for your family. Ask for help when you need it. And never mistake a difficult chapter for the end of your story.
Rural and agricultural work can offer purpose, responsibility, new skills and a strong sense of community.
View the Latest Rural JobsIf you are worried about a mate, you do not need the perfect words.
Ask how he is going. Ask again if the first answer is “I’m right”. Listen without immediately trying to fix everything. Encourage him to speak with someone who can help and follow up again tomorrow.
Likewise, if you are the bloke doing it tough, reaching out is not weakness. It is a practical step towards getting through a difficult period.
Are You Bogged Mate? is dedicated to helping country blokes talk about mental health, depression and suicide in a straightforward and relatable way.
Their message is simple. Getting mentally bogged is a bit like getting a vehicle stuck in the mud. Sometimes you can get yourself out, but when you are properly bogged, it takes guts to admit it and accept a tow from someone who can help.
RFTTE is proud to partner with Are You Bogged Mate? and support its work connecting rural and regional men with the right people and services.
Visit Are You Bogged Mate? for help and rural men’s mental-health resources.
If there is an immediate danger to you or someone else, call Triple Zero on 000.
Rural Australia needs its men. Not silent, isolated or expected to carry everything alone, but connected, valued and supported.
A Rural Men’s Day will not solve every problem. But it could recognise thousands of good rural blokes, encourage a few important conversations and remind someone going through a difficult time that he matters.
That sounds like a day worth having.
What do you reckon? Should Australia recognise Rural Men’s Day alongside International Men’s Day on 19 November?
Your comments, stories and suggestions for other rural men’s resources are welcome. Email simon@rfttejobs.com.
Data sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Intentional self-harm (suicide) deaths, 2024, revised May 2026; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Suicide and self-harm monitoring: Regional and remote communities, updated March 2026. Suicide statistics can change as coronial investigations are completed and historical data are revised.
