Above: Silvan youngsters Liam and Madelayne Bissel (middle and right) did some role playing with Sydneysider Bailey Robinson (left) at the CFA information stand.By Dion Teasdale
THIS year’s Wandin Silvan Field Days has been hailed as a major success after attracting record numbers of exhibitors and visitors.
Celebrating its 36th year, the field days were held at the Wandin East Reserve last Thursday, 13 and Friday, 14 October.
Enjoying warm temperatures and clear skies, the field days attracted over 200 exhibitors from across Australia and an estimated 6000 visitors.
Organised and run by a team of volunteers, the field days showcase the latest equipment and uptodate information and developments in a range of primary production industries.
“Our field days are unique because they are pitched toward the horticulture and agriculture industries and also incorporate the wine growers, orchardists and flower growers in the local area,” organising committee secretary Nan Cleven said.
“As a result we draw exhibitors and visitors from across the country and the event is widely known as having a very friendly atmosphere.”
In addition to the latest information, technology and equipment for the horticulture and agriculture industries, the field days also showcase local communities, Mrs Cleven said.
“There are no commercial caterers at the field days. Instead all the catering is done by local schools and community groups who are able to do their year’s fundraising over two days,” Mrs Cleven said.
“The field days are also a good avenue for fundraising for five local fire brigades. Their volunteers organise the traffic management and then share in the gate takings.”
Wandin Silvan Field Days president Rob Johnston said the event owes much of its success to the local community feel it has built up over the past three and a half decades.
“It is a very social event. People build up very strong relationships with each other. Exhibitors do very well in terms of trade inquiries and come back year after year to catch up with other exhibitors,” he said.
“The field days are as much about the friendly atmosphere and the sense of it being an enjoyable day out for the whole family as it is about sharing information.”
