Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster believes organisers must take necessary steps to ensure rural events can continue beyond COVID-19. 

She encouraged Speed’s Mallee Machinery Field Days committee to look at state and federal government grants or into corporate sponsorship to shore-up the event’s longevity. 

“There will be a way to move forward, even if it has to be slightly smaller the first year, whatever steps need to be taken,” she said. 

Dr Webster said events such as field days were crucial to rural living.

“Culturally, it’s incredibly important that farmers can get together and tell stories, communicate and just share each other’s burden. There’s not too many environments where that can occur anymore,” she said. 

“Whether it be field days, Quambatook Tractor Pull or Patchewollock Music Festival, all are really significant and valuable to those communities. 

“I’ve always maintained our communities could not survive without our not-for-profits and our charity organisations, whether that’s Lions or Rotary clubs, Men’s Sheds, you name it. All provide tremendous support to our communities and the fundraising they do is exceptional.” 

– Dylan De Jong 

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The entire July 29, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire July 29, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!