IT’S as cliched as you get, but when the organisers of the 2022 Mallee Machinery Field Days say they are glad to be back, and back on track, not even the big smile on the face of secretary Matt Brady can diminish the sincerity of the message.
Two years in the COVID wilderness hurt. Really hurt.
Not just the committee – and the Speed Lions Club, which drives the whole kit and kaboodle.
The hurt stretched far and wide because, unbeknown to many of the thousands who trekked to Speed – that little dot in the middle of the Mallee – each year the profits from the event are spread to community groupsfar and wide.
And at a time many of them needed it most, at the height of the pandemic, this traditional cash infusion was not there. Matt – grin still firmly fixed on his face – the Speed Lions Club supports local and statewide initiatives from funds raised at the field days.
“We have our post-field days meeting coming up, and at this we will decide how the funds are distributed,” Matt says.
“It is fantastic we are again in a position to renew these donations because of the past two years.
“This year we were also fortunate to secure funding in the second round of the Australian Government’s Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program.
“This really helped to get back up and running again, as did the help we also received from Yarriambiack Shire.”
While exhibitor numbers were consistent with previous years, the soaring size of farm machinery is putting pressure on the organisers to come up with bigger sites to fit them all in.
Matt says there were some last-minute challenges, with some exhibitors forced out by COVID, while others were hamstrung by Australia’s crippled logistical networks and stock simply did not arrive in time – all leading to unfortunate cancellations.
“But on the upside, feedback from the exhibitors was very positive.
Both small and large benefited and there were lots of sales on the day,” Matt says.
“We’ve already had new exhibitors making inquiries, and existing exhibitors have indicated they want to lock in their sites once again.
“I only took over the role in October last year, so it will be nice to start fresh this year and have a full 12 months to organise everything.
“There was lots to learn, and lots of burning the midnight oil, but with the support of the committee, we had two very successful days.
“Hopefully, next year won’t be impacted by COVID and the field days will continue to evolve, so we are all looking forward to 2023.
“We’re just in the process of winding everything down following this year’s event, but it won’t be long before we start organising and locking in exhibitors for next year.”
