As I write this, I can’t help but think back to one December day in 2020. We’d just cut our best canola paddock—it was perfect, ready to strip.

I could almost see the harvest in the bank, when out of nowhere, dark clouds rolled in.

A storm swept through Monteagle and Bendick, then straight for us.

The wind howled, the sky darkened, and within minutes, everything we’d worked for was gone.

It wasn’t just the crop that was destroyed; it was the last bit of resilience I had left.

For years, we’d weathered the ups and downs of life on the land.

My husband, Graeme, and I have spent 35 years running our farm, and I’ve seen firsthand the constant pressure farmers face—the unpredictability of the seasons, the financial strains, the relentless cycle of hope and loss.

I grew up watching my parents go through the same struggles.

Here in Young, NSW, we’re tough, resilient people, but that doesn’t mean we’re unbreakable.

When that storm hit, I reached my breaking point.

I was physically and emotionally spent, and I knew that simply selling the farm wasn’t going to give me the peace I desperately needed.

I realized that no matter where I went, the unhealed wounds would follow. The stress, the sleepless nights, the ache in my chest—they weren’t going to disappear with a change of scenery.

That’s when I made the decision to dig deeper. I sought the help of therapists and embarked on a journey of true healing. It wasn’t easy, but it was the best thing I ever did. I started to find myself again—to feel lighter, more at peace and wanted to be able to facilitate this sense of freedom for others too. I trained in the power of Reiki and hands-on healing, and the intensive study of the transformative CTC (Combined Therapy Cocktail™), which combines Neuro-Linguistic Programming, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Hypnotherapy, and energy work.

These powerful tools gave me a sense of peace and joy that I hadn’t known in years.

I decided to open a wellness clinic here in Young, because this community is my home.

I know how much stress can damage our health, how it ripples through every part of our lives—our relationships, our work, our sense of self.

But I also know that it doesn’t have to be that way. We don’t need to stay stuck in a cycle of turmoil.

With my desire to offer services from deep relaxation right through to transformative healing I also learned the art of Heartworks Lomi Lomi massage and purchased an infrared sauna.

Through my services I’ve seen incredible transformations in our community.

One client had the breakthrough she’d been looking for and was finally free from early childhood trauma.

Another woman, overwhelmed with anxiety and unable to sleep, found that after a few Reiki sessions, she finally experienced nights of peaceful rest for the first time in years.

These stories are a reminder that healing is possible. October is Mental Health Month, and I believe it’s a time for all of us to acknowledge the struggles that many of us go through—especially those of us on the land.

The “just get on with it” mentality has served us in some ways, but it can also keep us isolated when we need connection and support the most.

If you’re feeling that weight, if you know that where you are now isn’t where you want to stay, I want you to know that you’re not alone.

You don’t have to face it by yourself.

There’s help out there, and sometimes, the hardest step is simply reaching out.

Whether it’s starting with a gentle Reiki session, diving deep into a CTC session, or even just having a conversation—I’m here, and I’m ready to help you find the peace and light you deserve.

We’ve faced so many challenges over the last few years, and it’s time to make our well-being a priority. You are stronger than you know, and healing is possible. Let’s take that first step together.

Remember, even in the darkest storm, there’s always a path to light.

You can reach out to me via my website www.libbycallaghan.com.

LIBBY CALLAGHAN