For four decades, the Speed Lions Club has been responsible for bringing the Mallee’s largest agricultural event to fruition each year.
It’s no mean feat for the dedicated group of 26 volunteers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the two-day event, showcasing the latest in agricultural machinery and technology.
Speed Lions Club, The field days site at Speed.
Photos: Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times
From humble beginnings, the field days continue to evolve, and this year is no different.
The award-winning event is set to celebrate its 43rd year and MMFD secretary Matt Brady is gearing up for a massive two days.
“We’ve had lots of new inquiries this year, which is always good, and a sign that we are continuing to deliver an event that agricultural businesses want to be a part of.”
The continued interest in the field days and the fact that agricultural machinery is not getting any smaller has resulted in the expansion of the site for the first time in many years.
“We’ve extended our outer ring by adding an extra 12 big sites,” Mr Brady said.
“There’s been an increased demand for larger sites and increased interest in the field days from new exhibitors, so we’ve made a few changes to accommodate those needs.”
New exhibitors to showcase their products at this year’s event include Midland Semi Trailers, Hansa Spreaders, Whitefield Farm Equipment, The Spray Shop and Brentlynd Park Hay Carts.
“It’s good to see that we are continuing to attract new exhibitors to the site each year,” Mr Brady said.
And, it’s not only exhibitors that have recognised the worth of the event to the local community and agricultural industry.
In November, the Speed Lions Club won the prestigious Awards Australia Community Group Award at the 2022 Victorian Community Achievement Awards.
Up against a strong field of community achievers, the award recognised the work of the 26 volunteer members and the role the field days play in “raising much-needed funds for the community”.
“It was an honour to receive this accolade,” Mr Brady said. “It provided a real buzz amongst our small team to win a state award for something we are all so proud of.
The field days enable the whole community to come together to work towards a common goal and that’s a huge achievement for a town that has a population of 78.”
This year’s Mallee Machinery Field Days will take place on Wednesday, August 2 and Thursday, August 3, at the Speed field days site, 2km south of the Speed township, on the Sunraysia Highway.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 26 July 2023.
