General News
13 March, 2024
Field Days "not just for farmers"
This year's Wimmera Machinery Field Days exuded an air of optimism and again proved an enormous magnet for people from across a wide area.
This year's Wimmera Machinery Field Days exuded an air of optimism and again proved an enormous magnet for people from across a wide area.
The 60th annual event and the second since Covid boasted more exhibitors and better crowds than those seen for some years.
Three days of bright sunshine also helped to swell numbers.
Popular talking points among young - and older - farmers were somne of the vintage farm vehicles and machinery on display from the same era as the first field days event.
These included an early 1970s 711 combine harvester owned by Sam Koschmann of Bungalally, and a Rupanyup-produced Ackland plough owned by Robyn Gulline and son Will, of Longerenong.
Field Days committee president Tim Rethus said visitors had shown great interest in viewing the older equipment, now far outdated by leaps in technology and in other ways, but cutting edge in their day.
"They are a link back to the past, and people are reminded how products and machinery have changed over the years, especially when they compare them with the modern equipment displayed nearby," he said.
"The field days aren't just for the farmers with the shiniest sheds," he said.
"It's exciting to see new innovations, and the field days is the ideal opportunity to do that."
Mr Rethus said the event remained relevant to people of all ages as well as for people not involved in farming.
They also proved a great social occasion, often attracting people now living beyond the region who still call Wimmera amd Southern Mallee home.
He said he was especially grateful for the work carried out by committee members, staff and the volunteers. All played an important part in making the three-day event happen, and some had been working for months prior to its opening.
"Everyone from the caterers, people organising the fashion parades, the people who work on the gates, people who ran the free buses and courier service pick-up for on-site purchases - all play their part in the success of this event," Mr Rethus said.
"We had a super smooth run-up to the field days, and everything's flowed smoothly since then."
Two Clydesdales from Sandy Creek Clydesdales near Maldon were a popular attraction, as were carriage rides and blacksmithing demonstrations.
Other drawcards included a children's mobile animal nursery, FunFarm 2U and reptiles at the Black Snake Productions site.
"We made entry free for children and that's helped attract more families," Mr Rethus said.
An Ag Ed Quest program for primary and middle school students helped them prepare for the event as well as providing a planned itinerary while on site.
This included hearing from speakers who were now engaged in agriculture or studying to enter the profession.
A REVitup Racing site in the Country Square area allowed students a virtual race experience.
Other entertainment included fashion parades by Horsham College product design and technology students, cooking with local ingredients with chef teacher Cat Clarke and a live-on-stage event on Wednesday aimed at children by The Mik Maks.
Dr Rob Grenfell was among platform speakers. He encouraged greater farm health measures for rural people and the importance of defibrillators.
In a far corner, members of Dunmunkle Sumpoilers showed the machinery and engines that had made life easier up to 100 years ago.