8th May, 2011
Celebrity guest speaker Rose Wright will launch ‘taste paradise’, North Queensland’s new brand for locally-fresh foods of all kinds, at the Rabobank FNQ Rotary Field Days at Walkamin on Wednesday and Thursday, 25 & 26 May.
‘taste paradise’ is more than a marketing and branding exercise, it will be the registered trading name of a Tropical North Queensland network that links farmers with consumers – including commercial buyers of food.
Food within the ‘taste paradise’ brand encompasses ALL fresh produce grown in the region – dairy and meat products, fresh fruit and vegetables – even our locally-grown coffee and tea. The ‘taste paradise’ project is also targeting purchasers of local produce in the tourism and hospitality sectors – and is developing a ‘Food Tourism Trail Map’ that encompasses all of Tropical North Queensland.
Explains Rose: “The taste paradise Food Network will provide farmers with a choice to work within a wholesale system, and/or to take advantage of retail opportunities as well”.
“The ‘taste paradise’ Food Network will help the region’s producers work together to take advantage of the changes in consumer and visitor trends, so that in time Tropical North Queensland will have the same reputation for food as iconic regions such as Tasmania and the Riverina for high quality fresh and value-added foods attract premium prices in all markets”.
“The ‘taste paradise’ Network will be driven largely by our local producers. The immediate focus is to develop a strong supply base – which is why we’re inviting all local growers and producers to visit our Display Stand at the Rotary Field Days. On hand will be members of our ’taste paradise’ steering committee, including local farmers and representatives of farmers organisations”.
Among them: Joe Moro, Chairman of the Mareeba Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, who has warmly welcomed the ‘taste paradise’ initiative.
“The ‘taste paradise’ project stand will be shared by Growcom, and gives local producers a timely opportunity to learn all about the concept. Says Rose: “We will have all the information farmers need to decide how it can work for them. Of course, many of our local producers are already on-board”.
For more information, download the Taste Paradise Brochure.
3rd May, 2011
Members of the Mareeba Theatre Group cross-dress to rehearse
their ‘Girl Wants a Farmer’ comedy routines for their on-stage
performances at the Rabobank FNQ Rotary Field Days at
Walkamin on Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 & 26.
Patrons at the Rabobank FNQ Rotary Field Days on Wednesday night (25 May) won’t miss a minute of the Canetoads V Cockroaches State of Origin Rugby League Match – organisers have arranged for a giant TV screen – conveniently located near the event’s licenced Bar.
Entertainment of a decidedly different kind is also planned, with members of the Mareeba Theatre Group on-stage early in the afternoons on both Field Days – and immediately before the ‘big match’ kicks-off…
Presenting a series of skits entitled “Girl wants a Farmer”, the ‘send-ups’ star “Special Guest” Tania Anders from Los Angeles, a local lady who’s pursuing a career in the U.S.A., talented Tablelands singer and entertainer Melinda Avolio and popular Mareeba Theatre group actors Lea Di Pasquale, Andrea Mulla, Joanne Shade and Santino Rogato.
The troupe will unleash some light comical entertainment on the main stage from around 1.30pm on each of the two Field Days, also on the Wednesday night at 6.30 pm – and have also expressed an intention to ‘buzz and around the bar’ prior to each performance.
20th April, 2011
The rush of eager exhibitors to show their wares at the Rabobank FNQ Rotary Field Days has resulted in a complete sell-out of display sites, necessitating an extension to accommodate the overflow.
Explains Field Days site co-ordinator Collin Messervy: “We have been overwhelmed by the response and in fact had a waiting list of companies anxious to exhibit. We can now accommodate them, by enlarging our overall display area”.
The popularity of the Field Days with exhibitors and patrons has increased with each successive year the event is conducted – at Walkamin Central, mid-way between Atherton and Mareeba.
Taking place this year on Wednesday and Thursday May 25 & 26, the event is North Queensland’s premier agricultural presentation – with all proceeds distributed equally to local Tablelands charities and community endeavours by the Atherton and Mareeba Rotary Clubs.
Admission this year is $5 – tickets are already available and include an Art Union opportunity to win a Mazda B Series ute (from Mareeba Mazda), a 3D Wide Screen LCD TV and Games Console (courtesy of Barletta’s Betta Electrical, Atherton) and a Holiday for 2 on Hamilton Island (courtesy of Travel Experience).
Tickets, which cover admission for both Field Days, are available from local Rotarians – and in Mareeba from Mareeba Newsagency and Travel Experience – and Travel Experience in Atherton.
24th March, 2011
Rabobank Rotary FNQ Field Days
WALKAMIN, Wednesday & Thursday, May 25 & 26
The LATEST Farm, Mining & Construction Equipment
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT including the Stars of the Walkamin Country Music Festival.
INVENTORS CONTEST – Enter NOW
Your $5 Admission covers BOTH Days – and could WIN:
- a Mazda B Series Utility from Mareeba Mazda
- a Sony 3D Wide-Screen LCD Digital TV Set plus Games Consolefrom Barletta’s Electrical & Homeware Atherton or
- a Holiday for 2 on Hamilton Island, courtesy of Travel Experience
Permit No: 129265
Over 200 Exhibits – ALL BUT BOOKED-OUT !
9th March, 2011
Celebrity guest-speaker and Southern Cross University research manager ROSE WRIGHT is among the experts scheduled to appear at the Rabobank Rotary FNQ Field Days taking place at Walkamin on Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 & 26.Rose Wright’s impressive credentials include expertise and experience in regional economic development, food and agriculture promotion and eco-tourism. Rose is a passionate and highly effective advocate for the advancement of regional, rural and remote areas.
Rotary Clubs’ Field Days committee chairperson IDA PORTELLA notes that the event is “honoured to have Rose as key-note speaker, and her advocacy of environmentally-responsible regional development will be reflected in the overall theme of invited guest speakers at the Field Days”.
Rose Wright is the Manager of Research Extension Unit of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Southern Cross University. This role involves working closely with academic staff to ensure critical knowledge gained through research is translated into programs and communications that will benefit industry, community and Government throughout Australia.
Current work spans regional agritourism, food, wine & nature based tourism development and most recently has been working with a number of regions throughout eastern Australia, and in particular Tropical North Queensland, on the development of a local food system and local food supply chains and creating a strategic framework that looks at both supply and demand factors that will provide distribution alternatives and potentially better viability for local producers through a local food network.
Rose is an impressive communicator and facilitator with a unique ability to lead discussion, listen and clearly identify relevant issues. Rose’s experience at every level across agriculture, tourism, community and economic development, particularly in regional areas, ensures that she has the skill to enable groups to comprehend each of the ideas she advances – and to take ‘on board’ her recommendations for the development of their regions and/or industries.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
A lively program of on-stage entertainment is also planned, including a satirical romp presented by members of the Mareeba Theatre Group titled ‘Farmers at Work’.
Explains Ida: “We’ve chosen to add some really good light entertainment to the Field Days line-up – some great songs and a lot of laughter will be highlights of the event”.
LUCKY ART UNION PRIZE DRAW
Another major highlight – the Lucky Draw of the mammoth $33,000 Prize Pool that includes a brand new Mazda BT50 dropside utility, an LCD 3D wide-screen, high-definition, digital TV set with Games Console and numerous Games – and a holiday for two on Hamilton Island.
These prizes have been supplied by event sponsors Mareeba Mazda, Reedmans Sheet Metal, Barletta’s Betta Electrical & Homeware of Atherton – and Travel Experience of Mareeba & Atherton.
All major prizes will be won by three lucky patrons when the ‘draw’ takes place at 4.15 pm on the event’s second day, Thursday May 26.
Tickets in the Art Union (Permit Number 129265) are only $5 – which also covers admission to the Field Days – on BOTH days if patrons wish to attend twice. As many do – as it takes more than just one day to ‘see it all’.
18th January, 2011
Patrons who visit the Rabobank Rotary FNQ Field Days at Walkamin on Wednesday and Thursday 25 & 26 of May will be able to browse the bargains at a range of Market Stalls – a new attraction for the famous Tablelands event.
Market Stall operators who sell fresh fruit and vegies, arts and craft, local produce and plants are invited to contact the event’s Markets Organiser Jeanette Sturiale on 0437 539 559 – or contact her at jeanette@opportunityconsultant.com.au.
Interested ‘marketeers’ should do so promptly as stall sites are strictly limited in number.
Explains Jeanette: “Given that almost 10,000 people attend the Rabobank Rotary Field Days, this is a wonderful opportunity for stall-holders to present their wares – and score some really good sales”.
“We welcome any kind of markets stall – farm-fresh produce will sell well, as will arts and crafts, as our local cottage industries are always well-presented at the Field Days”.
Jeanette emphasizes that the overall event is rapidly booking-out, with in excess of 180 exhibitor sites already sold – so the Market Stalls section will have a strictly limited number of availabilities, and intending stall-holders should contact Jeanette as soon as possible.
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8th November, 2010
North Queensland’s premier agricultural display event, the RABO Bank Rotary Walkamin FNQ Field Days, take place on Wednesday and Thursday 25 & 26 May next year (2011) – but planning is already well advanced.
And exhibitor bookings are already flowing in, with almost half the available sites booked and confirmed! The rush to secure sites is easily explained: most bookings are from previous exhibitors who were well satisfied with enquiries and actual on the spot sales last year, precisely as they received similar excellent results in previous years.
Global agricultural development bank RaboBank are again the event’s major sponsor – others include Telstra CountryWide, which first signed on as a Gold sponsor in 2009; Thiess, the fabled Queenslandborn construction firm – and renewing Silver sponsor Tableland Pumps and Irrigation.
Officially opening the 2011 event is state Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin – other distinguished guests include Independent MP for Kennedy Bob Katter and Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth. Both are Field Days ‘regulars’ – Mr. Katter hasn’t missed the event in decades.
Several new and novel attractions are planned – including an Art Union ticket that accompanies admission – with a pool of attractive prizes.
The event’s Inventors Contest is being upgraded to include relevant entries in the recent Tropical Innovations Awards presented by James Cook University. A number of North Queensland inventions for the farming sector were
‘Innovation’ award winners, and will be included in the Field Days Inventors contest, which is sponsored by Rural Press (North Qld. Register and Country Life).
Various forums and seminars conducted at previous Walkamin Field Days have proved popular – and a forum is planned for the 2011 event with several well qualified guest speakers.
The Rabobank Rotary Walkamin FNQ Field Days are unquestionably the region’s top sales Showcase for agricultural, construction and mining equipment and exhibitors who have yet to book are urged to do so by clicking on the Exhibitor Booking link
on this website. But please do so with due urgency as the event is certain to book out well before 25 May.
Telephone bookings can be placed with Site Co-Ordinator Collin Messervy – 40 96 8255 or mobile 0408 340 341.
All monies raised by the event are dispersed to local charities and community groups by the Rotary Clubs of Atherton and Mareeba. A Great Showcase – for a Good Cause.
