2021 MUDGEE FIELD DAYS CANCELLED
The Australian Rural Education Centre (AREC) is deeply saddened and disappointed to announce the cancellation of the 2021 Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, which was to be held on the 5th & 6th November. We had hoped after postponing the July event that we would be able to run a safe and successful event later in the year but with all the current uncertainties now this will not be possible.
Due to the evolving COVID situation and the recommendation from NSW Health, the AREC Board have had to make the difficult decision not to go ahead with the event.
Chairman of AREC, James Sullivan, said “Our primary concern is the health and safety of our community, volunteers and exhibitors.
“Being in the early stages of the Roadmap out of Lockdown and with the uncertainty of restrictions, border closures and snap lockdowns, the Board cannot see how we would be able to proceed with the event at this time. The responsibility of policing vaccination passports and other additional COVID related requirements would be very difficult and pose too much risk to our organisation and the community.
“In making this decision, the Board was mindful that a large proportion of exhibitors are from interstate and the greater Sydney area, so there was also a need to be conscious of the bigger picture, not just our local region”
General Manager of AREC, Cassandra Stanford, said “This decision has been the hardest one yet. After the cancellation of the 2020 event, we threw all our resources and positivity into planning the 2021 event. Even after having to postpone in July, we were hopeful we’d be able run the event in November.
“It is heartbreaking to have to go through this three times in two years. Not only will our not-for-profit organisation suffer financially, but it takes a toll mentally as well. We can only hope that the situation improves over the next few months so we can again host a safe and successful event in 2022.
“We feel for the exhibitors that have been with us through the whole process and also rely on the event for income. Our event brings millions of dollars into the local region, so our thoughts are also with the local community who will be impacted by this cancellation.”
AREC were proud to be able to provide our facilities for the COVID Testing Clinic for over a month and have seen first-hand the impact this pandemic has caused our community.
Exhibitors, visitors and other interested parties will all be contacted with relevant information regarding refunds, transfers and information about next years event.
We hope to be able to see everyone next year on the 8th & 9th July 2022!
The Mudgee Field Days has been listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events on Austrade’s website.
This means eligible businesses can apply for funding under the Business Events Grants Program to cover up to 50% of the costs of participating in Mudgee Field Days.
Grants from $10,000 to $250,000 per entity are available. Applicants are able to apply for multiple events listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events.
Grant applications close at 5pm (AEDST) on 30 March 2021 or earlier if funding is exhausted.
For further information or to apply please go to business.gov.au.
The Mudgee Small Farm Field Days has been running for over 40 years and attracts approximately 20,000 people per year. Our aim is to promote innovation and sustainability in agriculture and rural living. Our mission is to inform, educate and connect rural people with information and solution providers. MSFFD is Mudgee’s largest annual event and is the premier field days event in Central West NSW. There are free demonstrations and talks along with commercial stalls, live music and activities to suit the whole family.
2021 will be the 43rd Mudgee Small Farm Field Days. The event is long-standing and the Premier Field Days event in the Central West NSW.
Mudgee Small Farm Field Days focuses on innovation and sustainability, making the event just as relevant now as it was when it originated in 1977.
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