Wheatbelt Events
September 11, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Recent events throughout the Wheatbelt have attracted thousands into the Region to enjoy hot air ballooning, Agricultural Field Days and more.
Australian National Ballooning Championships 2017
The Australian National Ballooning Championships were held in Northam 2 – 9 September. Local, national and international hot air balloon pilots competed in skill and navigation events over a set course with goals, targets, scoring areas, time and distance limits.
This year’s Fiesta and Balloon Glow attracted over 10,000 visitors and featured the Balloon Discovery Zone hosted by the Wheatbelt Science Hub, rides, local produce and market stalls. In the evening 16 hot air balloons were inflated and the burners were lit up in time to live music.
Congratulations to the Shire of Northam, Northam Aero Club, local sponsors and hard-working volunteers.
For videos of the Fiesta, Balloon Glow and Championship flights: https://www.facebook.com/northamnationals/
ABC news article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-04/meet-the-youngest-competitor-at-australia-national-ballooning/8868746
Image credit: Norm Brierley
Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days 2017
Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan opened the 52nd Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days, held on 30/31 August. The iconic Wheatbelt event attracted over 24,000 visitors and featured agricultural machinery and livestock displays, food and wine, lifestyle products, education, equestrian and local musicians.
International designers and sustainable fashion came to the Wheatbelt with the launch of Eco Fashion Week Australia at the Dowerin Field Days. Australian Merino Wool was celebrated as a sustainable and biodegradable fibre suitable for delicate garments including a beautiful wedding dress as modelled at the event.
For more information please click on the links below.
www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com.
Avon Valley and Wheatbelt Advocate news article
Newdegate Machinery Field Days 2017
The 45th annual Newdegate Machinery Field Days were held 6/7 September. The iconic Wheatbelt event attracted over 17,500 visitors and featured agricultural machinery, technology and research, livestock, fashion, food and wine, fireworks and the dog high jump competition.
For more information please click on the links below.
https://www.facebook.com/nfday/
Wheatbelt Science Trail
The Wheatbelt Science Trail was officially launched by Hon Darren West MLC on 25th August at the Northam Visitor Centre.
The Science Trail guides participants to sites/activities of scientific interest across the Wheatbelt including: the European Space Agency’s Deep Space Ground Station near New Norcia; space observatories in Gingin and Toodyay; a grain discovery centre; and nocturnal wildlife observing in the Dryandra Woodland near Narrogin.
The Science Trail also includes a Geotrail, similar to a treasure hunt where participants use GPS on their smart phone to find geocaches hidden in selected sites across the Wheatbelt.
The project was made possible by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Community Chest Fund 2016 grant of $48,770, funding from Inspiring Australia and a host of volunteers.
For more information visit www.wheatbeltscience.org.au/trail or www.wheatbeltscience.org.au/wheatbelt-science-trail-geo-trail/.
