WIMMERA Machinery Field Days committee president Chris Bartlett said people were in for a real treat at the 57th annual event.
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He said it was an important event for the agriculture industry in Horsham, as well as the wider Wimmera region.
“It started off as just demonstrations 57 years ago and it just grew from there,” he said.
“It’s always well attended and is a good place to showcase all the modern developments and innovation in machinery in one place. People get the chance to talk to others and catch up.”
Mr Bartlett has been involved with the event since 2011, which he said was a memorable experience.
“It was a wet one. I didn’t know what I got myself into because it was the wettest year on record. There was a 50mm downpour the day before field days,” he said.
“The volunteers on the committee are very strong in their involvement.
“There is a lot of experience there, and they represent both farmers and industry groups. It’s just a great bunch of people.”
He said the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of community groups and clubs.
“It’s all for a good cause and a great way to support the community. We try to put on a really good event, then the community benefits from it, too," he said.
"We have the 19:14 church group who do a great job helping out at the gate, then the Minyip Murtoa Football Netball Club does the courier service,” he said.
“Pimpinio Football Netball Club is doing the parking on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Laharum Football Netball Club on the Thursday.
Laharum is also doing the catering at a pavilion this year which is new – in previous years we’ve had a commercial caterer.”
Other community groups and clubs preparing to out include Taylors Lake Football Netball Club, Horsham’s Holy Trinity Lutheran College, Natimuk Football Netball Club, the Scouts and Antwerp Tennis Club. He said he hoped people would learn something new.
“You never stop learning in this industry. There are always new innovations and new technologies in agriculture. Younger farmers are always hungry for more information. It’s also a great social day – you can see people you see once a year at the field days and catch up,” he said.
