By Colin MacGillivray
SEYMOUR Alternative Farming Expo organisers are thrilled with the support the event received during the weekend, with exhibitors reporting some of their strongest sales in years.
Crowds turned out to see displays of farm machinery and equipment, animal demonstrations, clothing stalls and live entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Seymour’s Kings Park. The expo is usually on for three days each February, but was pushed back this year due to COVID-19 considerations.
Event manager Jamie Gilbert said despite the change of date, patrons turned out in droves.
“We had lots of patrons through the gate on Friday and sold out our tickets on Saturday. Sunday was quite strong as well, so it was a very good event,” he said.
“We had some really good support not just from the local community within the Seymour district, but from as far and wide as southern New South Wales, Melbourne and Gippsland. It was a very well-supported event from the visitors, which was great.
“The exhibitors reported really strong sales all through the weekend – it was probably one of the better results they’ve had in quite a number of years.”
Beloka Kelpies owner Paul Mcphail gives a sheep dog demonstration at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo on Friday. Fionnuala Mckenna and Zacharia Woolley of Hilldene try on hats at Seymour Alternative Farming Expo. Tammy Walker helps keep expo patrons fed with gourmet spring rolls. Nine-year-old Grace of Lancefield tries her hand at barramundi fishing. Ellie gets up close and personal with a goat at Farmer Darryl’s petting zoo. 
Leading Senior Constable Kat Mills and Acting Inspector Damian Keegan.
Mr Gilbert said pushing the date back to ensure the event could comply with the State Government’s COVID-19 regulations had been a success, and organisers were now investigating options for future expo dates.
“We were relieved the event went off successfully, smoothly and in a COVID-safe way. We had the Victorian Government’s Department of Health inspectors in on Friday and they were really impressed with the way we’d set the event up in a COVID-safe way,” he said.
“We’re not 100 per cent sure yet whether [next year’s event] is going to be February or April, or somewhere in between. We’ll do some work with our exhibitors and we got lots of feedback from patrons as well. We’ve got to try to find the right place in the agricultural field day calendar.”
Police had a stall at the expo, giving people the opportunity to seek career advice, information about reducing farm-related crime and firearms storage legislative changes.
“Events like this are a great chance for police to meet and form lasting and meaningful relationships with members of the region,” Acting Inspector Damian Keegan said.
