LES Down is one of two founding members to still be actively involved with the Mallee Machinery Field Days.
The 81-year-old pinches himself each year the event comes around, and admitted there’s a great sense of achievement.
While he’s held various positions over the years, and was president of the field days for a decade, Mr Down continues to play an active role within the club.
He’s treasurer of Speed Lions Club and when it comes to the field days, Mr Down is responsible for ensuring things continue to run smoothly behind the scenes.
He’s officially in charge of the site’s essential services – a job he takes very seriously.
It’s his job to ensure the amenities are clean and the bathrooms are fully stocked with toilet paper.
While it’s one of the busier roles during the two-day event, he always takes the time to soak up the atmosphere and reminisce on years gone by.
“It’s such a wonderful spectacle to look out over the sites and witness what has been achieved. I’m just amazed by it each year,” Mr Down said.
With the field days set to celebrate their 42nd event, Mr Down has watched the event evolve over the years, and increase in size from 38 exhibitors to more than 300.
Significant agricultural milestones included the construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project and the introduction of GPS.
Mr Down recalled a time when members of the Lions Club had laughed following the arrival of self-propelled sprayers at the field days.
“We joked that they looked like a praying mantis,” Mr Down laughed.
“Everyone has got one now.”
In terms of the field days, Mr Down said the Speed Lions Club had also celebrated significant milestones throughout the years.
These included securing a permanent site for the event, and in more recent years, the installation of the kitchen and new site office.
Following the cancellation of the event due to COVID-19, Mr Down said he was looking forward to the return of the field days, noting he’s only ever missed one event since its inception.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Every year is a highlight.”
