“It shows the power of volunteering and shows what small communities can achieve when they work together.” Natasha Burns said.
BEHIND the heavy machinery and state-of-the-art farming technology, the benefits of the Mallee Machinery Field Days extend well beyond the farm gate.
Each year the field days provide a helping hand to community groups, not for profit organisations, local schools and sporting clubs.
Mallee Machinery Field Days president Jacko Kiley said the field days would not be possible if it wasn’t for the 22 community groups that work alongside the club each year.
While the Speed Lions Club has 26 members, the field days rely on an extra 500 pair of hands during the two-day annual event.
The groups take on a variety of roles, including catering and overseeing the carpark.
Mr Kiley said the field days provided a unique opportunity for groups to raise much-needed funds, which was often difficult in small communities, with everyone vying for the same fundraising dollar.
“Our community groups have had to go without for the past two years as we haven’t had an event due to COVID-19,” Mr Kiley said.
“For many of them, assisting with the event is their biggest fundraising activity for the year.”
Ouyen P-12 College is one of the many groups to benefit from the field days.
They assist with the catering, preparing freshly made sandwiches, slices and soup.
Assistant principal Natasha Burns said the school felt privileged to be a part of the community event.
“It shows the power of volunteering and shows what small communities can achieve when they work together,” Ms Burns said.
The money they raise enables the school to travel to Maryborough take part in the Energy Breakthrough pushcart event.
Ms Burns said the school had participated in the competition for more than 15 years, entering a team of grade five students each year.
As part of the competition, the students must design and construct their own pushcart, encouraging students to think creatively and innovatively to ensure their vehicle performs efficiently and effectively throughout the event.
Ms Burns said the event incorporated a range of skills, providing opportunities for the participants to enhance their teamwork, public speaking and technology skills, while competing against other schools in a fun-filled environment.
“It’s an amazing program, and a multitude of skills are involved with creating the pushcart,” Ms Burns said, noting it was something the students looked forward to each year.
While the Energy Breakthrough event provided a unique opportunity for participants, Ms Burns said it was also quite costly, with entry fees, travel costs, accommodation and team uniforms to take into account.
However, the school’s fundraising efforts at the Mallee Machinery Field Days has helped to alleviate some of these associated costs.
Grateful for the opportunity to help with the field days, Ms Burns said the school was looking forward to once again taking part in both events.
