Judy grew up on a farm in north-east Victoria.

When she was seventeen, a family tragedy saw her thrust into life as a farmer for the first time.

Being a young farmer led her into local politics, and eventually into a burgeoning friendship with a lanky, much-loved local politician named Tim Fischer.

On their first date, Tim took Judy to the Tocumwal Debutant Ball, and it was a disaster.

But despite the age difference, the two of them eventually fell in love and started a family.

When their first son, Harrison, was diagnosed with autism Judy became an advocate for people on the autism spectrum.

The family is still grieving Tim, whom they lost to leukaemia in 2019.

But Judy is now working to make her beloved family farm, ‘Grossotto’, a sanctuary for vulnerable adults.

Learn more about Care Farms.

Listen to Tim Fischer in conversation with Richard Fidler.

Watch the 2018 Australian Story about the Fischer Family.

This episode was produced by Nicola Harrison, Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.

It explores love, marriage, relationships, Auspol, local politics, country Australia, regional Australia, rural communities, motherhood, age gap relationships, grief, death, grieving a spouse, neurodivergence, autism spectrum disorder, raising children with autism.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: Judy Brewer on country love, deb balls and understanding autism

Conversations

Encore: Judy Brewer on country love, deb balls and understanding autism