Speed’s Mallee Machinery Field Days is one of the Mallee’s biggest events, and a major event on the agricultural calendar.
In the 1970s, the chartered members of the Speed Lions Club searched for a fundraising venture that would hold them in a sound position to serve both the local and broader communities.
The first field days was in 1979 in a local paddock, where 39 dealers exhibited their products with an emphasis on broad acre agricultural machinery and equipment.
The two-day event was held in different temporary sites with all amenities erected and pulled down each year – a major logistical exercise.
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After six years the current permanent site was settled on a leased area off the Sunraysia Highway between Speed and Turriff – 42 kilometres south of Ouyen and 55 kilometres north of Hopetoun.
Subsequently, permanent amenities were constructed and the club was successful in acquiring the original historic Speed Railway Station as its main office.
Across the years permanent buildings and utilities were built to keep up with the demand.
Today, the field days has earned the respect of the industry; it is a major event on the agricultural calendar and one of the biggest events in the Mallee.
About 350 site holders and 8500 visitors make the event the success that it is. People come to view the equipment on offer, and learn from the technical information to aid modern broadacre farming.
One of the features of the field days is its circular design – a section of the site is allocated for crafts and interests, which includes fashion parades, central demonstrations and craft tables.
Mallee Machinery Field Days has developed into one of the biggest in the state and has been a great fundraiser for the Speed Lions Club and many other local organisations.
The Speed Lions Club has 24 members and without their volunteered hard labour and the support from local sporting and social clubs, this event would not be the success it is today.
The entire July 30, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire July 30, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
