By Paul Dunlop
GUMBOOTS and oilskins were de rigueur attire for Lang Lang’s big showcase of country living last week — luckily farmers love the rain.
The firstever Small Farming Victoria field days saw up to 2000 people learn the latest about life on the land, and help raise funds for a new community retirement village.
Persistent rain on Friday, with up to 40 millimetres falling in some areas, did not dampen enthusiasm for the twoday field event, with crowds enjoying much kinder weather on Saturday.
The field days were run by the Rotary Club of Kooweerup Lang Lang to fund the first stage of a community retirement village.
Event spokesman Kevin Corbett said organisers were happy with the response to the inaugural field days and are already planning bigger and better things for next year.
“The feedback we have had has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather — it would be very nice if you could — but the general feeling is that it went very well.”
Mr Corbett said gate takings and sponsorship were still being tallied but organisers expect to make a small profit.
Cardinia Shire Port Ward councillor Doug Hamilton said the event was a great credit to the Rotary Club of Kooweerup Lang Lang.
“It’s been a fantastic effort, there has been an incredible response,” Cr Hamilton said.
Bruce Ridgway of the Lang Lang Historical Society said the group’s indoors display benefited from the wet weather.
“We had a glut of people come in when it rained,” he said.
Helen Corbett said the barbecue stall was kept very busy while traders reported plenty of interest in the range of displays.
More than 150 exhibitors featured interactive displays promoting onfarm improvement, education, nutrition, animal husbandry and business management.
Field day patrons enjoyed the chance to swap stories with other farmers and were treated to plenty of entertainment, including a talent quest.
Geoff Reeve hatched the idea for the field days after seeing something similar on television.
There are about 3000 small farm holdings in Cardinia Shire.
The Star News Group, publishers of the Gazette, was a proud supporter of the event.
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