General News
2 March, 2026
Rain cancels opening day of Wimmera Machinery Field Days
WITH saturated ground creating significant problems following major levels of rainfall, Wimmera Machinery Field Days organisers have decided to cancel the first day of the three-day show.
President Harry Young said the rain that continued on Monday meant the site had no time to drain, preventing ongoing setup, and would be a hazard for both exhibitors and visitors if they went ahead on the first day.
"We've cancelled Tuesday due to weather and the safety risks associated with that," he said.
"Tuesday will be another setup day, and we'll continue on Wednesday and Thursday as per normal."
To make up for lost time, organisers have extended trading hours on Wednesday to 7pm.
The site has received well over 100mm of rain since rain began falling on Friday, and the final few days of preparation for this year’s event have been an unexpected challenge, with organisers and exhibitors having their work cut out figuring out how to set up over the weekend while adapting to the soft ground and wet conditions.
“(There was) a lot of water to pump around, and stuff that you don’t really plan for,” Harry said.
“Water banked up everywhere, and getting machinery in and out was difficult.
“Normally we’re dusty!”
With the ground likely to remain muddy for some time, Harry said they would direct people to park a few minutes up the road at the Moor Park Golf Club.
“We’ll have a shuttle bus running,” he said.
“It’s two or three minutes down the road.
“It's just got sandy ground, whereas the field day site is quite clayey. So as soon as we can return to normal car park parking, we will, but that's so much of an unknown at this stage.
“There’s quite a bit still to do. We've sort of had to leave a few jobs for later because of the wet weather."
He was thankful for the work of those at the site and was confident things would be ready for Wednesday.
“We had a great couple of days, everyone pitched in,” Harry said.
“(We’ve) got a great group of folks, (and) solved most problems. It’s a great team effort.”
Ironically, Harry said the rain in general would likely lift the mood.
“I think everyone's feeling a lot better after the rain,” he said.
“For the ag industry, rain is fantastic.”
With about 400 exhibitors, he said there were plenty of reasons to turn up – and some of the big machinery you can only properly evaluate with your own eyes.
“The big headers from New Holland and Case – and the Big John Deere tractor – everyone likes a big toy, a big bit of gear, and you never appreciate it until you see it in person,” Harry said.
He also said the old trucks brought in were looking “fantastic”, especially a 1936 Reo Speedwagon.
“That's worth just coming to look at that, I reckon,” Harry said.
“So they've got a truck set up … from the 30s, 40s and 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and just the evolution of them along the line is quite remarkable.”