ORGANISERS of the Victorian Farm Sculpture Competition are excited to launch the annual event again next month.
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The competition runs each year at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days.
The three-day event at Longerenong will run from March 6-8.
The competition will enter its 13th year in 2018 and draws more than 40 entries from across the region and interstate.
Field days manager Murray Wilson said it was a popular and successful feature of the Wimmera event.
“The overwhelming success and large number of entries has given the competition an opportunity to expand categories over the years and attract new and innovative designs,” he said.
Long-time entrant and renowned Haven sculptor Marty Knight was the open winner in 2017.
His sculpture, titled Never Take A Backwards Step, depicted the Australian coat of arms.
It took 110 hours to complete.
Mr Knight said the emu was made out of an old header.
"I cut the front off it and added nuts and bolts,” he said.
“The kangaroo is made from old hinges and old farm machinery parts.
“The shield is actually an old wagon wheel that I straightened out.”
With support from the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, Mr Knight took his winning sculpture to the National Farm Sculpture awards at the Spirit of the Land Festival in Lockhart NSW in October.
He was successful in winning the people’s choice award at the event.
Mr Knight also had success at the 2016 Wimmera Machinery Field Days with a peacock sculpture.
He was invited to enter both his coat of arms and peacock sculptures in the Brighton Pier Sculpture Competition in Adelaide at the weekend.
Mr Wilson said it was pleasing to see a Wimmera resident such as Mr Knight have success interstate on more than one occasion as well as being recognised at other important arts events.
“We know he has committed to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days competition again in March and we look forward to his new creation,” he said
The 2018 Victorian Farm Sculpture competition offers $6000 in prize money with the first prize winner taking home $2500.
Mr Wilson said entries were now open for farm sculptures for this year’s competition.
“Entry forms and conditions can be downloaded from the Wimmera Machinery Field Days website or contact the office for more information,” he said.
