Ethical Empowerment with Farmer Dave

My next guest and I crossed paths over 8 years ago when I hosted a local LGBTIQ radio show called Get Your Queer On. I interviewed him then after he had come out to the nation on TV as a contestant on Big Brother. Soon after this reality tv experience he was used as a political football and was bashed for being gay in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Back then this wasn’t an easy conversation to have - luckily since then things have changed. David Graham - best known as Farmer Dave graced our screens in 2006 as a Big Brother contestant and has since also been a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and has travelled the world as a model and political activist. Nowadays, Dave is better known for his work as a farmer and animal behaviourist, expanding his big heart, bush skills and kindness to the youth program called Ruff Track for kids aged between 13-17 who have gone off the rails to give them skills, engagement, education, a sense of self worth and community. They help to empower these young people by helping them establish trust and bonds with amazing working dogs. The 12 week journey sees them 'joining up' with a young dog at a similar stage in life to themselves and working together to accomplish daily goals of manners, communication, overcoming challenges, sheep herding, and fun dog Sports such as K9 Super Wall and DockDogs. The RuffTRACK crew then takes this knowledge on the road with incredible community outreach programs and performances in schools across Australia. Knowing Dave - this sounds like a match made in heaven. This podcast is brought to you by Ethical Change Agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices