By Callum Ludwig
Despite drizzly conditions, Wandin Silvan Field Days packed out the Wandin East Recreation Reserve for the 2023 edition of the event.
Held on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 October, Wandin Silvan Field Days brings together local agribusinesses and other related companies to showcase their wares and form business connections.
President of the Wandin Silvan Field Days Committee Brad Finger said it was really good to be putting on the event again.
“We are really full this year, there’s not a spare site so that was good and although it’s wet now, it’s not as wet as last year,” he said.
“It was hard work setting up because it was raining yesterday, which is always a problem when you set up.”
It was fantastic to see the reserve so full of exhibitors, especially given a number of businesses missed out on the 2022 event due to flooding, particularly those coming from Yarra Glen and Yea.
Mr Finger said it was great to have people coming back.
“Some of those have been coming here for years, and they just keep coming back supporting us. Without them, it wouldn’t be here,” he said.
“Agriculture and horticulture is a big part of our community, it’s always been our focus, and we’ve tried not to shy away from that.”
It is the second event organised with Mr Finger in the role of president, having been a member of the committee for many years prior to stepping up in 2022.
Mr Finger said the event holds different opportunities for the businesses who get involved.
“It depends on what they’re selling, you’ve got the ones that are looking for sales on the day and then you’ve got some of the machinery people where their customers are basically doing their research before they buy something in a month’s time, a week’s time, or a year’s time, but having all the different types of brands of tractors, it means they can come to one place and look at them all,” he said.
“It’s a huge benefit for the businesses as well because they can also do their research, ask questions and it’s all here in one place.”
