Henty back in 2022 with new free concert

One of Australia’s largest agricultural field days, the Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD), is back on the field days circuit and is ready to welcome thousands of visitors through its gates next week, September 20 to 22.

In addition to bringing back its iconic attractions such as sheep dog trials and the Natural Fibre Fashion Awards, the event will also feature a brand new country music spectacular with headline acts Brooke McClymont, Adam Eckersley and Danny Phegan performing on the Wednesday night.

The concert is free but remains a ticketed event, which means attendees would need to book their tickets to the concert separate to the field days, via the HFMD website. The concert is set to take place on Wednesday, September 21, from 5.30pm behind the Farm Gate pavilion.

The free entertainment has been made possible by a grant submitted by Greater Hume Council to the NSW Government for the Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program.

Also back on the agenda this year are the usual attractions including the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award, the working sheep dog trials, Country Lifestyle pavilion, Farm Gate Produce Market, Baker Seeds agronomy trials, helicopter joy rides, live entertainment, outdoor reptile show, the Natural Fibre Fashion Awards and vintage farm machinery display.

“We expect the strong demand for all agricultural machinery, livestock handling equipment and fencing materials to continue through 2022 and, combined with the focus on regional Australia with the public’s keenness to get out and about, will auger well for a successful 2022 Henty Machinery Field Days,” said HMFD chief executive officer, Belinda Anderson.

“We acknowledge Thursday, September 22 has been declared a national public holiday as a day of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. HMFD will be opening as planned and the public holiday provides a great opportunity for everyone to attend.”

This year, Henty celebrates its long and proud association with the Country Women’s Association and recognises the organisation’s centenary by having CWA NSW State President Joy Beames officially open the 2022 field days.

The official opening will include the presentation of the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award. Greater Hume Council will sponsor the Best Australian Designed and Manufactured Machine to be presented on Thursday, September 22.

National and international agricultural and commercial businesses will be eligible for the HMFD Exhibitor Awards at the 2022 field days.

Awards will be presented on Wednesday, September 21 to the winners of the Best Outdoor Large Commercial, Best Outdoor General and Best Indoor Exhibitor sites (Country Lifestyle and Farm Gate Produce Market).

“We want to recognise and reward these businesses who take a great deal of pride in their sites.’’

Field days visitors are invited to join the conversation about shaping the future of agriculture and the environment at Charles Sturt University’s Innovation and Research Hub.

The Hub is about sharing impactful research in agriculture, the environment and sustainability, and how it will improve connections, collaborations and communities.

At Country Lifestyle, the stage will be the focus of fashion parades featuring garments from exhibitors daily at 11am and 2.30pm, including a mini parade of clothing from across the decades as a tribute to NSW CWA turning 100.

Designers with a flair for converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for almost $5500 worth of prizes, including the new Business Development Award: Australian Made Fibre sponsored by JMP Developments, Wodonga, for $500.

The Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards showcase designs using at least 70 per cent natural fibres with parades daily at 1pm and the winners announced after 1pm Thursday.

Another favourite of the field days is the ever popular helicopter joy rides, whereby visitors will have the chance to take 10-minute helicopter flights over the field day site and surrounding countryside with Wagga Air Centre pilot, Chris Cabot.

The display by the Henty and District Antique Farm Machinery Club members always draws a large crowd, and this year will feature an installation of a historic plough on a pole.

Field day patrons will have the opportunity to win this year’s daily gate prize of $1000 at Buzz’s Bikes and Bits plus fuel and lubricant credits courtesy of Mogas.

During the field days, patrons spending $50 or more at the Mogas Henty OPT at 21 Railway Parade can simply drop their transaction receipt in the barrel at HMFD and be in the running for three daily prizes of $500 credit towards the next fuel or lubricant purchase.

The company is offering a daily gate prize of $1000 vouchers redeemable at Buzz’s Bikes and Bits in Albury over the field days plus three daily prizes of $500 fuel credits. Visitors are eligible by purchasing a full-price adult day pass.

Field day visitors will also have the chance to win a wireless weather station package courtesy of Mottech Parkland.

To enter the draw for the Davis 6820AU Wireless GroWeather Ag Focused VP2 ISS and WeatherLink Live, simply clip out the coupon in the HMFD program and drop it in the barrel at the Mottech Parkland site 359.

HMFD benefited this year from $651,000 in funding under Round 2 of the Regional Connectivity Program to build a new 35m tower to replace a temporary small-cell Telstra service, with the new tower to be completed for the 2023 event.

Visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets online at hfmd.com.au where tickets are discounted for both adults and children (aged 12 to 17) at $22 and $7 respectively.

Alternatively, visitors can choose to purchase their tickets at the gates which will cost $25 for adults and $10 for children aged 12 to 17. Children below 12-years of age can enter the field days free of charge if accompanied by an adult. Gates are open every day from 8am to 5pm.

Location: 22 Lubkes Road, Henty NSW 2658

Dates: September 20-22, 2022

Time: 8am to 5pm every day

Admission: (Online) Adults - $22, children (aged 12 to 17) - $7, children 11-years and under – free. Purchase tickets online here. (At the gates) Adults - $25, children (aged 12 to 17) - $10, children 11-years and under – free