AgQuip visitors from across Australia were rolling out the caravan annexes and setting up the camp chairs at the Gunnedah Showground this week.
Among them was former sheep farmer Louise Carr from St George in Queensland.
Her family has been visiting the Gunnedah field days for 40 years, much of it when they resided a little closer to the action in Bingara.
Mrs Carr said although the event is much busier today, she still has many fond memories from the early days camping at the showground, especially the weather.
“I remember the frosts we had here, thick as anything,” she said.
Also staying at the showground was first time AgQuip visitor, Leon Condon from Kyogle.
The beef producer had just bought a tractor prior to arriving for AgQuip but was interested to see what else he might be in the market for use on his 200-odd acre property.
Tagging alongside Leon was youngster Will Condon. The nine-year-old knew exactly what he was in the market for – an AgQuip steak sandwich, he said with a grin.
Also eager to try one of the lunchtime favourites was Central Coast visitor, Phil Browne.
“Steak sandwich? I could eat three in one day,” he said.
His good mate from the coast, Jim Elcoate, said neither of them had farming backgrounds but both were here to support the rural sector.
“We believe agriculture is the backbone of this nation,” he said.
A few caravan sites over, Peter Jones was setting up camp for the night at the showground.
The Sunshine Coast traveller had been on the road for about five weeks before arriving in Gunnedah.
As a former tractor mechanic, Mr Jones was looking forward to his first AgQuip and checking out some of the modern farming equipment now on the market.
AgQuip organisers expected to host up to 80,000 visitors or more over the three-day event in Gunnedah this year.
