INVERLOCH local and aspiring mental health advocate Jorja Hughes is among nine recipients of the 2025 Supplier Scholarship Program, an initiative by Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) supporting the future leaders of the dairy industry.
Jorja, 20, is currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Federation University while actively working on her family’s dairy farm. The $5,000 scholarship will help support her ongoing education as she pursues a career dedicated to improving mental health services in rural communities.
The Hughes family has deep roots in farming, with Jorja’s parents currently operating the family-run dairy farm in Inverloch and her brother working as a share farmer. Despite not initially feeling connected to the farming lifestyle, Jorja said her interest was reignited after finishing high school.
“I probably invested myself in the farm when I graduated,” she said. “I had a six-month break before starting university, where I was out on the farm every day — that’s when my interest came back.”
Jorja now balances her time between farm work — helping with milking, daily jobs, and calf-rearing — and a demanding university schedule of four to five classes a week, most of which are online.
Jorja originally began a Bachelor of Community and Human Services but switched to Social Work to broaden her career opportunities, particularly in the mental health sector.
“Certain states are tightening their regulations around what qualifications you need for mental health roles,” she said. “Social work just opens more doors — you can work in hospitals and access more services.”
As part of her degree, Jorja will complete 1,000 hours of placement over the next two years. She hopes some of that time can be spent in local communities to strengthen her understanding of regional mental health needs.
“I’d love to eventually work with people aged 20 to 40,” Jorja said. “That range covers a few generations, each with different ways of thinking, and I think it would help me develop a diverse set of communication and counselling skills.”
Despite growing demands from study and future placements, Jorja is committed to remaining active on the family farm for as long as possible.
“I want to continue working on the farm while I study — as long as I can keep that balance.”
Jorja's insight into both farming life and mental health gives her a unique perspective — one she believes could help bridge gaps in service delivery for regional Australians.
“I’ve seen both sides,” she said. “I know the pressures farmers face, and I understand the importance of mental health care.”
The SDA Supplier Scholarship is aimed at individuals within the dairy supply chain who are looking to further their careers and support the industry in diverse ways. Jorja says the scholarship funds will help her reduce the financial burden of university studies.
“It’s an incredible support. Uni fees can follow you for years, so having this helps ease that pressure and lets me focus more on my goals.”
With a strong drive, hands-on farming experience, and a clear vision for mental health advocacy, Jorja Hughes is a rising leader in both the dairy industry and the community services sector — a true testament to the next generation of regional students.