President’s Message

By Rob Johnston, WandinSilvan Field Days president
THE YEAR 2005 will mark the 36th annual staging of the WandinSilvan Field days event. As president of the WandinSilvan Field Days committee, I would like to extend an invitation and welcome to all exhibitors to participate.
I look forward to the opportunity to work together towards the hosting of another very successful event.
Last year marked another successful staging of our event, with perfect weather conditions complementing the record number of exhibitors and an increase in attendance by visitors to the field days.
This year we hope to continue this trend as we strive to maintain and develop the growth and interest we have developed over many years.
The principal focus of the WandinSilvan Field Days is for the horticultural and agricultural producers of this particular region, and beyond. We therefore encourage exhibitors who are able to support this theme in particular to participate with the advantage of making direct contact with the local growers and producers of this region.
Being located on the doorstep of the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges Region of Victoria, the Wandin Silvan Field Days target the many and varied local primary producers.
Orchardists, viticulturists, stone fruit and berry growers, as well as flower, plant, bulb and other nursery growers from the surrounding areas remain our feature audience.
As a nonprofit organisation, the committee continues to support a wide range of local community groups.
The event itself provides local schools, scouting and sporting groups with a vital fundraising opportunity as they provide all onsite catering each year.
Our local fire brigade units also benefit, with entrance fees being shared in return for the time volunteered by their members to assist in hosting our event.
Following on from the success of extended trading hours last year, the committee has decided to keep in place the slightly longer opening hours on Thursday, 13 October, when the gates will remain open to the public until 6pm.
We hope this will once again attract extra visitors who may otherwise not have been able to attend.
I look forward to the continued support of our many exhibitors who have attended in the past, as well as welcoming and encouraging new businesses, as we work together to ensure the continued success of the WandinSilvan Field Days.