HMFD rewarding excellence in site design and presentation

The heart pounding Iron Summit, a showcase of Riverina produce, and an Iranian mother seeking a new life in Australia are among the winners of the 2024 Henty Machinery Field Days Exhibitor Awards.

The awards were presented on Thursday, September 19 at The Stump by HMFD chief executive officer Belinda Anderson to the winners of the Best Outdoor Large Commercial, Best Outdoor General and Best Indoor Exhibitor sites – Country Lifestyle and Farm Gate.

Isuzu Australia won the Best Outdoor Large Commercial, while took out the Best Outdoor General was won by CF Moto Australia. 

Neda Harandi is a new exhibitor but won the Best Indoor site in Country Lifestyle with her business Neda’s Treasures. 

Emerging powerhouse in the Riverina tourism industry, the Whitton Malthouse was awarded Best Indoor Site at Farm Gate Produce Market.

Belinda Anderson said the field days co-operative prided itself on providing a showcase with a modern professional image, and the latest in agricultural machinery and technology.

Mrs Anderson said the exhibitor awards encouraged site holders to strive for similar ideals during the field days.

Judges Daryl Thomson and Bec Clancy covered the 14km of external shop front plus the indoor sites, assessing visual presentation, display, layout and innovation.

They inspected sites ranging in frontage from 3m to 180m.

Mrs Clancy said Neda’s Treasures had a beautiful display of handmade baby rattles, toys, blankets.

“The business had a banner explaining Neda’s journey to escape domestic violence in Iran with two children to a new life in Australia and now she makes these handmade toys,” she said.

“The toys were beautifully crocheted and nicely displayed on white shelving with a pink and white theme. It was an inspirational story and Neda has obtained Australian citizenship since arriving.”

Mrs Clancy said the Whitton Malthouse had a tremendous array of regional produce reflecting the core theme of the Farm Gate Produce Area.

“They have an eye-catching display of various food produce in the Riverina including dressings and olive products, plus banners displaying images of the Whitton Malthouse reception and restaurant areas.

“There was also a display of products made from cotton, children’s books and have expanded their site.”

CF Moto impressed the judges with the large range of all-terrain, utility and sports side by side vehicles, colourful tents, flags and signage, metal stands with vehicle specifications and friendly staff on well laid out site.

“The branding caught our eye, drew us in and the staff were ready to greet us,” Daryl Thompson said.

Isuzu Ute Australia had the exhilarating Iron Summit at Henty again this year, leaving lines of visitors breathless. 

The Iron Summit offers an adrenaline pumping ride like no other where you will experience the thrill of conquering the world’s steepest mobile 4WD ramp, climbing six metres into the air at a daring 45-degree incline, all from the safety and comfort of an Isuzu D-MAX or MU-X.

Mr Thompson said the 7m high Iron Summit was a memorable experience with a great view from the top. 

“People get a choice of two vehicles – an Isuzu D-MAX or MU-X. The site was well decorated with flags and country music playing. The staff were proactive greeting us and explaining all about the vehicle on the ride.”

Mrs Clancy said exhibitors were putting a lot of thought into their site design, being innovative with visual concepts to catch the consumer’s eye, attract them into the site and engage with them.

“Over the last 10 years the branding has become more prominent, and colour coded on exhibitor sites.”