WHEN around 60,000 people flood through the gates at the Henty Machinery Field Days it will be just as much about supporting the local community as kicking the tyres.
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Certainly there will be new machines on display from the 850 exhibitors but according to the event’s chief executive officer Belinda Anderson it is a significant occasion in terms of the flow-on benefits to the local economy.
Schools, sporting groups and local churches all pitch in with their members carrying out the various jobs that need to be done over three days.
“There are 11 community groups involved in Henty and then it expands out from there … these groups are paid for their service during the field days,” Mrs Anderson said.
The Yerong Creek P&C is responsible for cleaning the amenities and many fellow community groups help with the catering.
Mrs Anderson said the field days demand was strong enough that many of the groups didn’t have to participate in significant fundraising activities throughout the year.
Brocklesby P&S has pledged support to set up the popular country lifestyle pavillion and then help with the packing up after the event.
And Osborne Football and Netball Club will be responsible for collecting the rubbish.
The Culcairn Footy Club will help out with parking the thousands of cars that flow into the event.
“It is important in terms of being a public service provider,” Mrs Anderson said.
“And the good thing is the money stays local … we don’t have to get contractors in,” she said.
Long-term experience from many of these groups and the associated volunteers was also considered a coup for the event.
Mrs Anderson said the work was completed well by people who had plenty of experience.
“It is important for us that they (volunteers and groups) are well trained,” she said.
