When you live in rural and remote areas, community and connection can form in unexpected places. For Rob and Stacey Moroney, butchers from Broken Hill in Far West NSW, this connection has emerged through literal blood and sweat, at their butchering workshops.
Partnering with RAMHP and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Moroneys embarked on a unique journey to deliver butchering workshops to isolated communities across the district. Their initiative, born from a personal understanding of hardship and community spirit, has proven to be profoundly impactful.
The Moroneys’ journey into mental health advocacy began with a straightforward idea that quickly gained momentum. Rob Moroney, a seasoned butcher from Broken Hill, openly shares his past mental health highs and lows. His partner, Stacey, not only assists in managing their business but also juggles her apprenticeship as a butcher, a career change after many years in the community sector working with disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Both have encountered significant personal losses and grief, shaping a compassionate approach to their work.
Rob reflects on the initial foray into the workshops, something he’d never done before: “It took a bit of nutting out, we’re off to Packsaddle and nervous as hell. Never done anything like it. There was about 60 people, confronting to start with, but 10 minutes into it, it was fantastic.”
The workshops are more than just lessons in butchering—they are opportunities for conversation and connection. “A butcher is a real community hub already. It’s where customers meet, exchange conversations and maintain social connections,” Stacey notes.
Rob agrees, especially in the bush, butchering is a truly practical skill, “it’s something they all do. I had one of the eldest and most experienced gentlemen around here, old Jimmy O’Connor, sitting two feet away from me, just glued. Then as it got more into it, a lot more women were asking questions.”
The sense of community that emerged from these workshops was hard to ignore, not only for the families and individuals who came along, but the staff and services involved in hosting the day.
For many participants, the workshops offer a rare chance to engage with others who understand their daily struggles. Stacey explains, “It made my heart smile each time we did one. It was just amazing to meet everyone, not just those who participated but the people we worked with. We shared stories and reflected, but most of all we learnt from each other when we shared our experiences and struggles.”
Through these workshops, Rob says he has gained valuable insights into the lives of people living in remote Australia. “It’s lonely, highs and lows, and especially after coming out of a long drought. They don’t do it easy. But also, the more remote they are, the more tight and friendly they are. It’s that old-fashioned hospitality; big hearts in a small town.”
Looking ahead, Rob hopes to see similar initiatives replicated elsewhere “If you can help someone, then you’ve made a difference. Whether it’s butchering or other practical skills, the idea is to bring people together and support them through challenging times, it’s as simple as that.”