The East Gippsland Field Days are much more than a social event on the local calendar. They are a celebration of the people, industries and community spirit that make our region unique.
By bringing together farmers, families, businesses, community groups and visitors from across Gippsland, they provide a valuable opportunity to see the latest in agriculture, machinery, innovation and rural enterprise.
Just as importantly, they remind us of the central role that food and fibre production continues to play in our local economy and way of life.
At a time when Australia is being forced to think more seriously about food and fibre security, events like the East Gippsland Field Days matter more than ever. They put a local face to the national conversation. They highlight the skill, resilience and commitment of the people who produce the essentials we all rely on.
In my new role as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, I have spoken about the need to elevate food security to a matter of national importance. In an uncertain world, Australia cannot take its primary production sector for granted.
While we produce more than enough food for domestic consumption, our agricultural sector depends on critical inputs such as fuel, fertiliser and chemicals, and any disruption to those supply chains has the potential to place enormous pressure on farming families and household budgets alike.
If we want resilient food and fibre production in the future, we need to back the people and communities that make it possible today.
The Field Days are also a great example of the volunteer spirit which makes our region a better place to live. The Lindenow Lions Club volunteers working alongside many local community groups and district schools and sporting clubs have established a premier event on the East Gippsland calendar.
In an era when regional communities often feel overlooked, the East Gippsland Field Days stand as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when locals work together with pride and purpose.
The East Gippsland Field Days are a showcase of our local strength, but they are also a statement of confidence in our future. In Gippsland, we know that backing agriculture means backing families, communities and the industries that sustain us all.
DARREN CHESTER
Federal Member for Gippsland
