General News
29 May, 2019
Minister opens Field Days
THE largest Field Days in northern Australia kicked off in style today as the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner popped a bottle of champagne to signify the official opening of the 2019 Rotary FNQ Field Days.
THE largest Field Days in northern Australia kicked off in style today as the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner popped a bottle of champagne to signify the official opening of the 2019 Rotary FNQ Field Days.
With over 600 sites and 500 exhibitors on display at this year’s event, the Rotary FNQ Field Days has established itself as one of the premier meeting places for rural industry in the country, and that was evidenced by the strong crowd on hand for day one.
Minister Furner said he was encouraged to attend the Rotary FNQ Field Days by Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Tom Gilmore and Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Joe Paronella in November of last year.
“I’m very pleased to be here and I think they undersold it a bit because I’m really impressed with what is on display,” he said.
“I’m very excited to be here today and when you have a look at the stalls that are on offer, you see the strength that is in agriculture in Far North Queensland.
“You really see the connection now from the plantation to the fruit being picked, and right through to the delivery of the supply chain, so it’s extremely important that people come along to these events and get involved.”
Minister Furner’s comments were reiterated by Rotary FNQ Field Days Chair Ida Portella, who noted her the excitement with the official opening’s proceedings along with the numbers on day one.
“When you look around at today’s numbers, from Rotary’s perspective we are very happy,” she said.
We’ll obviously know more when we calculate the gate takings at the end of the day, nevertheless it’s pleasing to see visitors taking advantage of the new areas after the expansion of our site.”
“Also, it was great to have Minister Furner officially open the event, I believe he is one of the first agricultural ministers to have visited an FNQ Field Days event so we’re very appreciate of him making the effort to come up.”
Ms Portella said she hopes to see the strong numbers continue on day two and three of the 2019 Rotary FNQ Field Days.
