(Photo: Kathy Duff)
July 20, 2021
Farmers have been having a tough time the past few years, battling a drought that has dragged on, changing regulations and then, of course, the pandemic.
But farmers who’d like to take a break from the grind – and local residents who’d like to show their support – should pencil Saturday, July 31 into their diaries.
That’s the day Murgon Show Society will be holding a special Farmers Day Out.
This fun, family-oriented event will be held at Murgon Showgrounds and will run from 1:00pm through until late in the evening.
For just a gold coin donation, participants can browse market stalls, enjoy live music and watch lawn mower racing in the main arena.
There’ll also be a Farmers’ Olympics held on the grounds, with fun events such as hay baling and billy boiling every hour.
At 3:00pm, local ambulance and firefighters will be showing what they do when they attend a road crash, with a full-blown rescue demonstration.
It will also pay to come early, because the first 100 families through the gate will receive a free Goodies Bag.
And all farmers who present their PIC or Grower Numbers will get a free entry into a special Farmer’s Draw to win one of four great gift baskets.
All visitors will also go into a lucky gate draw to win $25 IGA shopping vouchers or Hivesville Fuel and Food vouchers.
There’ll also be lots of stalls handing out free information about support services available for the farming community, covering everything from maintaining good mental health to arranging (or rearranging) finance.
People with a talent for cookery or photography can also enter a Decorated Arrowroot Biscuit competition, a Photography Competition or a Virtual Pet Parade for great prizes.
Murgon Show Society will be displaying entries received for all three competitions on its Facebook page, and on July 31 will be sashing the winners and presenting them with prizes.
After the sun goes down, the day will conclude with a free concert and barbecue – just BYO blanket or chairs.
Murgon Show Society’s Sharon Trim said the Farmers Day Out had two main aims: to provide support for farmers in challenging times, and is to provide a genuinely inexpensive day of fun for families.
“It’s pretty expensive to take a family out for the day,” Sharon said.
“So we’ve organised this as a non-profit event to ensure that everyone can come along and have a good time regardless of their financial situation.”
The Farmers Day Out is being sponsored by the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, Tarong Power Stations, Meandu Mine, Nerada Tea, Springhill Farm, Chief snack foods, Gourmet Granny’s sauces and gravies, Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and Cr Kathy Duff.
