Mr Kennett is the chair of the national depression initiative Beyondblue, and has agreed to attend the opening of the Ballarat Show in November.

He believes it will be a chance to lessen the stigma of depression among a farming community doing it tough.

"It's a fact that people in rural Australia don't easily express their emotions," he said.

"A farmer, male, cannot do his job as well if he is not 100 per cent fit, it's terribly important for farmers.

"It is not a crime to seek help."

Mr Kennett has travelled across Australia, and said he was always struck by the large number of people who attended country meetings.

Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society director Gerard Ballinger said Mr Kennett was invited because of his work with Beyondblue and it was not for political reasons.

"We are pretty excited, it's another high-profile person to open the show," he said.

* People interested in volunteering and helping the society in the lead-up to the show are asked to contact Gerard Ballinger on 5338 1877.

Further information about depression can be obtained from www.beyondblue.org.au or for immediate attention call LifeLine on 131114.