MALLEE Machinery Field Days took an innovative change of direction this year, turning its traditional guest speaker role into an opportunity to stage a massive fundraiser on behalf of the FightMND Foundation.
With exhibitors packing 240 sites just outside Speed, there was plenty of people able to dig deep into their pockets, or by providing donations to boost the fundraiser’s celebrity auction.
MMFD president Chris Monaghan and the Speed Lions Club took 2024 guest speaker Terry Daniher to the Nandaly Hotel on Wednesday night where a small but seriously enthusiastic crowd of supporters splashed out $13,000 on the celebrity auction.
Thursday morning volunteers swamped the field day site and raised another $2000 in cash and Speed Lions topped it up with a further $5000 to make it a $20,000 mega-cheque.
“It is the first time we have had Terry here as a guest speaker and it seemed a pretty good opportunity to make the most of his visit and raise some funds for the vital work FightMND does,” Mr Monaghan said.
“It was a great night, and Terry proved a real hit with everyone because of his combined background of coming off the land, his, and his family’s remarkable football story and of course the work they all do with FightMND since his brother Neale’s diagnosis.”
The $20,000 cheque and the sheer scale of the field days is also a testament to the Speed Lions Club.
The town has a population of 78 and the Lions Club currently has a membership of 24 who basically plan, organise, and run the MMFD every year, hosting thousands of visitors from across the state and country.
Billed as Australia’s largest agricultural and agribusiness trade show, the field days also had a strong health theme this year, with its dedicated hub offering free hearing checks, skin checks and overall health checks including a Shane Warne Legacy Health Check through the Foundation of Mallee Track.
“I also have to thank all our committee members and volunteers for putting in the hours to make this event happen every year,” Mr Monaghan said.
“It certainly does take a village to put everything together and make our field days what they now are.
“The exhibitors also put in an extraordinary amount of work, time and money to be here, set up their sites and be on tap for the whole time, but none of it would work if all the people who do turn up and pay to come inside weren’t our supporters every year.”
Terry Daniher, who grew up on a NSW farm before leaving to play in the VFL/AFL, also proved a big drawcard for the event as he talked about his life in farming, his football career and his campaign alongside his brother Neale.
“It really means a lot for us to see farming communities such as Speed dig deep to lend a hand with FightMND,” Terry said.
“It was great to receive the donation this morning, and although I have tucked it in my pocket, I’m pretty sure I will remember to give it to Neale and the team when I get home.
“I would particularly like to thank all those who donated for the fundraiser at Nandaly, it was a fantastic night, and can’t say enough for money people were prepared to offer to support our cause because every cent is the next step towards a solution for MND.”
