Bringing communities together

How fantastic to have the Wimmera Machinery Field Days back again.

The pandemic has made the past three years challenging, and I know events such as the field days have been sorely missed.

The return of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days means so much for the whole community – not just the cockies, but everyone who relies on the success of farming.

It brings our farmers, agriculture machinery dealers and retailers, agronomists and stock agents, and the general rural communities together.

I am sure there will be plenty of innovation on display that can be taken back and used onfarm to take businesses further.

Country shows throughout regional Australia, including the field days, are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities.

Old friends come together, who might not get to see each other all that often. And in the country, that’s what we need – connectivity and a chance to fill people in on what’s been going on in your world.

Maybe it can also be a chance to share a few secrets of the trade. We’ve had a few favourable seasons in a row in the Wimmera and Mallee – even accounting for a bit too much spring rain late last year.

Some producers have had record crops, which is great to see.

The Mallee contributes almost $10-billion of Gross Regional Product to Australia’s GDP, with $3.4 billion of that coming from the Wimmera and Southern Mallee region. This is worth celebrating, and is evidence of the invaluable contribution the

Wimmera and Mallee bring to the table for the whole country.

For a smaller region, population wise, we more than pull our weight.

I am sorry to not be able to make it to the field days in person this year due to it falling on a Parliamentary sitting week, but I wish the committee and all exhibitors and attendees well for an incredibly successful event.