Organisers ecstatic about hugely successful event

The Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days made a triumphant return, attracting the largest crowd in more than two decades after last year’s event was scrapped due to COVID-19. Nearly 25,000 people from across WA flocked to the two-day event, keen to experience one of the largest agricultural shows in the southern hemisphere. Event co-ordinator Tracy Jones said it was the biggest turnout since 1998, when a staggering 28,138 visitors passed through the gates. “This year we had 24,878 people through the gates and 6857 exhibitors,” she said. “In the last three weeks, in the lead-up to the event, we had 48 exhibitors cancel, with almost all of them from the Eastern States, but we had a surge of new exhibitors apply, especially small start-ups that chose Dowerin as a platform to showcase their products to our many visitors.” Ms Jones said organisers were “absolutely thrilled” to be back and paid tribute to the more than 300 volunteers who donated their time and wages to make the event possible. She said it would take about three weeks to calculate how much they had raised, but confirmed 90 registered volunteer groups and sporting organisations from Dowerin and surrounding communities would benefit. The 2019 event raised more than $70,000. “We would like to thank our large band of volunteers from our community for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make the event happen,” Ms Jones said. Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days chair Ash Jones said he was “ecstatic” with how well the event had played out despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions. “We were lucky to go ahead and we had to jump through a fair few hoops to get it to happen,” he said. “We were blown away by the support. “It was an unmitigated success and it just goes to show how vibrant the agricultural industry is. “Everyone rallied together ... the staff and volunteers went above and beyond and really shone through.” Mr Jones said that the introduction of online ticket sales this year had run smoothly. He said last year’s cancellation coupled with excellent farming conditions in 2021 had probably contributed to the large crowds, who enjoyed mostly sunny weather after the wettest winter in two decades. “Dowerin is also a bit of a social event; a lot of people come from all over the State to catch up with people they don’t get to see too often,” Mr Jones said. “I know a lot of people come back the second day because they spend half of the first day just talking to people ... but that’s what it’s all about. “The only feedback I’ve had has been exceptionally positive, I haven’t heard any negative feedback at all.”