Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am very pleased today to speak about the Dowerin field days. The Dowerin field days are one of the biggest agricultural events in regional Australia. Thousands of people travel from interstate and from as far as the Kimberley and as far south as the southern Goldfields for the event, which lights up the wheat belt. More than 22,000 people attended this year's event, the event's 51st birthday. The increase in attendance can be attributed to the widespread rainfall throughout the wheat belt and the midwest, with a bumper harvest predicted.

I spoke with hundreds of constituents over the two days. Many of them thanked me for round 1 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, which delivered 45 new and many more upgraded mobile base stations in my electorate of Durack.

Exhibitors reported an increase in sales in recent years and a more positive reception, with farmers able to spend more for the first time in years. This year's event featured a world war display, including a M3 Stuart tank and a very rare World War II searchlight.

Well done to Aglime of Australia, who were awarded as Most Outstanding Exhibitor for their brilliant sandcastle display. Well done once again to the organisers of the Dowerin field days, another outstanding regional agricultural event in my electorate of Durack.