Celebrating 50 years of one of SA’s best-known agricultural events.
The Eyre Peninsula Field Days is a much-loved chance for locals and visitors to compare machinery, talk to experts, catch up with neighbours and enjoy a day out with the family. But behind the exhibitor stalls is another story — one built by generations of volunteers.
Cleve local, Geoff Bammann has been there from the very beginning. He helped organise the first field day events around Cleve with the Rural Youth and Apex Clubs in the early 1970s. When the Eyre Peninsula Field Days committee formed in 1976, he signed up as an inaugural member.
Nearly 50 years later, Geoff’s still getting a kick out of helping it all come together.
“You look at the Field Days site a week before it’s on and think there’s not much happening,” he says. “Then all of a sudden — bang — it’s all there.”
That big bang is the result of a lot of hard work. The committee has around 15 members organising everything from site entertainment and guest speakers to exhibitor logistics, accommodation, catering and site allocations.
Even the grounds themselves are the product of volunteer labour.
When the EP Field Days moved to its current site west of Cleve, there were no roads formed. Geoff remembers one of the earliest events being postponed for a week after heavy rain because the site wasn’t accessible. Shortly after, committee member Ron Grosser got to work on his grader to help build the roads, while volunteers gradually built permanent facilities, including sheds and toilet blocks.Â
“All that sort of stuff was just done by volunteers, members of the committee, or anyone that was around,” Geoff says.Â
Today, thanks to all those years of work, exhibitors arrive to find neatly marked sites, permanent infrastructure and a well-oiled operation. Geoff says all that work has always been driven by one priority: looking after exhibitors.Â
“Without exhibitors, you wouldn’t have a Field Day,” he says. “They’re what it’s all about, so you’ve got to look after them.”Â
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After nearly five decades, he still enjoys seeing familiar exhibitors return each year.Â
“Ramsey Bros has always been a terrific exhibitor and a great supporter of the Field Days,” he says. “We really appreciate their ongoing support.”
More than a committee
The committee might lead the way, but behind every Field Days is a whole community pitching in.Â
Sporting clubs, community organisations and local businesses all play a role, helping with everything from catering and setting up marquees to directing traffic and staffing ticket booths. Volunteers donate their time, with payments going back to their clubs and organisations.Â
That community spirit has become one of the defining features of the event.Â
“When South Australia started its Agricultural Town of the Year awards, Cleve was one of the first winners,” Geoff says. “I think Field Days was part of that. It’s just part of what makes this community special.”Â
Of course, no Field Days would be complete without a little weather. Geoff jokes that Cleve offers “four seasons in three days” and calls the site a “test site for gazebos”.Â
“Some people bring their own gazebo, which blows away,” he laughs. “They learn pretty quickly.”Â
But a bit of rain isn’t necessarily bad news.Â
“It’s ok if it rains, it drives people into the marquees. That’s where the conversations happen. Besides, we always need the rain!”Â
Looking aheadÂ
As incoming President, Phill Elleway is proud to help lead the 50th EP Field Days.Â
“It’s a big honour, the fact that the committee thinks I’m up to the game,” he says.Â
Phill’s grown up around Field Days his whole life. His father, Eddie, was one of the early committee members and also served as president.Â
But joining the committee gave him a fresh appreciation for just how much happens behind the scenes.Â
“The time we spend on it is pretty phenomenal,” he says. “So many people put in so many hours and days. It’s incredible when you think they’re giving up their own time to do that.”Â
Phill’s proud to lead a growing committee that’s full of experience and energy.Â
“We’ve got one of the biggest committees we’ve had in a long time, and we’re trying to involve a lot of people,” he says.Â
“We’re getting younger members on board, and it’s wonderful having the mix of experience from the older generation and new ideas coming through.”Â
EP Field Days President Phill Elleway
While Geoff is still involved, he’s stepped back from his role as site manager after joking he’s recently been awarded an “OBE — Over Bloody Eighty”.Â
“I think it’s important you do that,” he says of handing responsibility to the next generation.Â
For Phill, the challenge now is protecting what makes the event special while ensuring it continues to evolve.Â
“What’s kept it going for 50 years? Definitely the local community coming together,” he says.Â
“Hopefully people get around and support it, because it is such a vital and special event,” he says.Â
It’s the people behind the scenes who make EP Field Days such a big hit, year after year. From everyone at Ramsey Bros, thank you for all that you do — we’ll see you there.
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