The East Gippsland Field Days has become a well-established part of the local events calendar and for good reason.
While it has something for everyone, of course there is a strong rural focus and this year it comes at a challenging time.
In East Gippsland we have enjoyed a terrific season with steady rainfall over recent months, there are challenges on a few fronts, including fuel prices and fertiliser availability pressures.
I had many chats with our new Federal Shadow Minister for Agriculture Darren Chester and while we have had some fuel excise respite, there remains more to do on both issues.
The cost of fuel also has a potential impact on tourism with less being prepared to travel, so events like this are important to attract visitors into our region to support our local economy.
Hence, more than ever we need to buy local products and produce wherever possible to support our business sector in this challenging period.
I will again be at the Field Days this year so come and visit our stand.
A big thanks to the tireless volunteers who do so much behind the scenes to make this all happen.
By Tim Bull, Member for Gippsland East.
