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AGFEST CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
It is with great pleasure that I greet you as chairman of Agfest
2021. Welcome to the 39th year of Agfest and I sincerely thank
you for supporting and enjoying our amazing showcase of all things
Tasmanian.
Agfest is one of the state’s big economic drivers, contributing
more than $25 million to the Tasmanian economy each year. The
event is recognised as one of the top three agricultural field days in
Australia. Incredibly, it is organised by a volunteer committee from
Rural Youth Tasmania and our hard-working staff.
Rural Youth members are aged between 15 and 30, dedicating
and volunteering numerous hours to ensure Agfest stays fresh and
viable so all Tasmanians and visitors can enjoy the field days for
many years to come.
Agfest 2021 will once again have more than 500 exciting
and diverse exhibits on display, ensuring there is something for
everyone.
Specials are expected on a wide range of products – from
tractors and towels to sheds and swimming pools, to woollen socks
and water tanks, to chemicals and caravans, to lawn mowers and
lice control, to boats and banking products, to pumps, plants and
potato peelers.
Due to COVID-19, Agfest 2021 will be a little different from
previous years. We have introduced Quercus Tastes, a new and
exciting format of the former Unique Taste Pavilion, to enable
greater crowd dispersal with easier access and more space.
Our food vendors will be located around the site so I’m sure you
will enjoy supporting our community groups and local businesses.
We have also introduced a new-look Craft Market with more
room for patron flow and social distancing.
Some of the many features around the site include the
Tasmanian Lighthorse demonstrations, Junior Livestock Cup,
shearing demonstrations and the Terrapin Puppets in the TJM
Tasmania Central Arena.
Agfest and Rural Youth have been a big part of my life since
joining the organisation in 2011. It has given me a huge range of
lifelong skills, training and friends. I was also lucky enough to go on
an overseas exchange to Canada in 2018 for three months.
It was my dream to be chairman of Agfest ever since I first
volunteered at the event in 2012. Now, in my second year, I hope
to continue the growth and success of the field days.
I sincerely thank and congratulate my committee, all volunteers
and our staff. All have gone above and beyond during the past year
to get Agfest back in the paddock for 2021.
On behalf of all Rural Youth members and the Agfest
committee, we extend a huge thank you to the State Government
for its financial assistance to offset some of the losses we incurred
after cancelling Agfest 2020 in the paddock due to the global
pandemic.
We are passionate about continuing to offer young Tasmanians
a wide range of leadership, social and skills development
opportunities through Rural Youth and the
organisation of the Agfest field days.
I wish you a safe, happy and
enjoyable Agfest 2021. And, if you
are interested in joining Rural Youth,
please say hello to one of our friendly
volunteers on site.
ETHAN WILLIAMS
CHAIRMAN
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
I am pleased to write this message, my last as Patron, in support of
Agfest field days 2021.
Agfest 2020 was, of course, cancelled for the first time in
the 37-year history of the event in response to the COVID-19
pandemic and in the interests of the community’s health and
wellbeing.
Restrictions continue to impact the event and this year will see
the first ever four-day field days opening on Wednesday May 5
and running to Saturday May 8.
Agfest in the Cloud will then run from May 8–15 and will
replicate the online event in 2020, where more than one million
page views of exhibitors were achieved.
These are incredibly important initiatives that will allow the
Agfest field days to go ahead while complying with public health
directions.
Agfest remains the premier agricultural and rural field day event
in Tasmania and is nationally recognised. The annual event injects
more than $25 million into the local economy.
Agfest continues to be self-funding and provides funds for
reinvestment in the Quercus Park site, as well as supports the
important activities of Rural Youth Tasmania.
The organising committee from Rural Youth Tasmania spend
many months planning and then running the annual event.
I thank all of them
along with sponsors,
exhibitors and
patrons of the event
for their continued
support.
HER EXCELLENCY
PROFESSOR
THE HONOURABLE
KATE WARNER, AC
GOVERNOR OF
TASMANIA
AGFEST 2021 03
