Field Days a dream

By Melissa Meehan
THE 38th annual Wandin-Silvan Field Days was held over the weekend at the Wandin East Recreation Reserve with organisers touting it as the most successful yet.
Wandin Silvan Field Days secretary Nan Cleven said that the fair weather helped ensure an increase in numbers from previous years.
“The good weather and slight rain made it possible for farmers to leave their farms and come and see what we had to offer,” Ms Cleven said.
Visitors to the Field Days included primary producers such as orchardists, berry growers, viticulturists, as well as flower, plant, bulb and nursery growers from surrounding areas.
The Field Days featured exhibits and demonstrations ranging from farm machinery, light industrial equipment, motor vehicles and motor bikes, irrigation equipment and water tanks to information about the latest pest and weed control, fertilisers and chemicals.
“The water tanks exhibit was very popular because of the publicity water saving methods are getting in the news,” Ms Cleven said.
Government departments including Natural Resources, Southern Rural Water, the Victorian Work Cover Authority and the Country Fire Authority also held exhibits that educated visitors about their roles in the community.
New attraction the Wandin-Silvan Ute Muster received a good response from the community, with 75 Utes participating in the event.
“The Ute Muster brought a lot of new people through the gates, especially on the Saturday,” Ms Cleven said.
Ms Cleven said that exhibitors were so pleased with this year’s response from the community that they are already booking their places for next year.