'Good bugger' calls it a day
Much of the rural industry is made up of an army of characters who tend to be “good buggers” or rogues, while a small number might fall into the “you need to count your fingers after a handshake” category.
Since Phillips took over the presidency in December 2020, the popular event has been cancelled twice in a row – in 2021 and 2022, thanks to Covid restrictions imposed by the Government.
The cancellations have hit the North Field Days Association hard: run by a group of volunteers with one paid staff, the organisation has endured two years of no income while still meeting running costs.
With the days of Covid well behind them, Phillips believes next month’s 37th Northland Field Days will signal a return to the “good old days”.
The three-day event at Dargavile is shaping up to be an extravaganza.
Phillips and his team of volunteers are meeting every week as final touches are being made to the showground.
He told Rural News that unlike previous years, they are facing a new challenge - rain.
“Normally we are in drought here at this time of the year,” he says.
“In 2019 and 2020 we had to cart water to the field days because of water shortage.
“But this year there’s been too much rain, farmers have lost a lot of maize crop and there’s still water on some paddocks.”
The field days site hasn’t been spared either. For the past week, the organising committee has been digging trenches to drain water logged fields.
Phillips says a spell of sunny days will do the trick.
“We need sunny weather to dry the ground so that we can mow the grass and start marking the sites and we are confident of having the site ready to go come March 2nd.”
Phillips acknowledges that the past few years have been tough on everyone but the field days will be a great opportunity to get back into the groove.
“In 2021, we were three days out from the event when the Government changed the alert levels and we had to cancel.
“All the marquees were up, trucks had brought in a lot of machinery and stock from as far south as Palmerston North, exhibitors sites were well developed, traffic control all arranged, rubbish collection organised – we were so ready to go!”
With the return of the field days this year, Phillips wants everyone to put their support behind the event.
“We want people through the gates, to back the exhibitors and businesses that support us,” he says.
“We’re putting together a great event for three days; there will be things for the whole family to enjoy.
“So, my message to everyone is to come out and support us and our exhibitors.”
