A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NEWDEGATE MACHINERY FIELD DAYS
Newdegate was settled in 1922 and shortly thereafter the railway line that was extended from Lake Grace in 1926. By 1930’s, the town had a general store, a hotel, a bakery, 8 residential houses a fruit shop, a tea room, tennis, cricket and football club and a town hall.
The Newdegate Field Day was held in 1973 and was inspired by the Lake King Field Days, 40 km east of Newdegate. It was a project created by the local members of the Jaycee’s which were established in 1967 (Jaycees, an abbreviation of Junior Chamber of Commerce, is an organisation devoted to community service and personal developments.)
Wally Newman was an eager follower of the Lake King Field Days and saw the potential of having a Field Day in Newdegate, believing of the benefit for the community.
FASHION IN THE FIELD DAYS
In 1976 started the first fashion Runway at the Field Days, by Dawn Brooker. The parade hosted local Newdegate women as models, as well as clothes from the Pantlin’s Newsagency at Lake Grace.
The first catwalk the models emerged from the men’s football club rooms to strut their stuff on the back of the truck. in 1977 the truck was dispensed and the catwalk was then set up outside where the models braved the bitter cold. However in 1978 the fashion parade was then moved to the Town Hall where the Women’s Interest had also been moved to. The models walked on 44 gallon drums and carpet concealed railway tarps which covered planks of wood. This catwalk was used right up until 1993. The town hall was only used for a year because they returned the following year back to the field day site with a rather large marquee.
The fashion parade in the late 70’s was in full swing with all the local women showcasing the latest fashion, there was an element of chaos and never a dull moment.
“Some of the girls refused to wear certain outfits. There’d be last minute changes and swapping around. I suppose models are allowed to be temperamental.” - Pearl Green, Newdegate local.
It wasn’t until 1988 the men’s first ever fashion parade begun. With the clothes coming from David Mann - Fashion for Men.
In 1987 the Ewe Hogget competition was formed which transformed the Field Day from being strictly machinery. Helen McDonald suggested that Sheep Studs be encouraged to attended and David McDonald to oversee the organisation.
In 1986 the committee stipulated the following guidelines; that stud numbers be unlimited, a limit of six to ten sheep from each stud and studs to supply their own yards, display and marquee. However that year only the Corrigin based Lewisdale stud attended and put on a spectacular ram and fleece display which then attracted widespread interest. The Ewe Hogget Competition is still thriving today and attracts many visitors.
‘We have found the succession of the presidents and committee over the years to be more than helpful, always willing to go out of their way to make us feel welcome. Naturally we look for promotion in return for our sponsorship & the Newdegate Field Day Committee has always made sure we were promoted.’- Ken Dyson
Dyson Jones has been a substantial and ongoing supporter for the Ewe Hogget and Fleece competitions. There are also other significant contributions from local and regional businesses which help keep the competition alive. Stud Merino, West Coast Wools, Spencer Wools, Weststock livestock, Elders and Agspray Contracting. We also thank every other sponsor over the last years for contributing towards such a successful competition.
The Family Interest Display was primarily the local Arts & Crafts group and was set up in the Football club change rooms. The Newdegate Art and Crafts group was founded by Lorraine Baker. Twice a month ladies met together to do workshops which included; pottery, oil painting, water colours, basket weaving, jewellery, paper making and many more. The ladies then exhibited and sold their creations at the Family Interest Display.
The Family Interest Display was originally called the ‘The Ladies Interest Display’ In the late 70s and early 80’s and was considered very much a secondary aspect of the Field Day and just “women’s stuff” by the men of the committee. Cathie Kelly successfully moved a change of the name to the “Family Interest Display “to remove the stigma attached to men showing an interest in this section.
“If there is nothing for the women they won’t come and if the women don’t come the men won’t either” Pearl Green
By the late 1980’s the attractions had expanded considerably with a range of attractions including music, clothing and shops all the way from Perth, Great Southern and beyond. And in the 1990’s High schools in Perth had seen the benefits from promoting at the Field Day. These days you will find wineries, fashion parades, entertainment, range of products and many more inside the pavilion.