Two significant infrastructure projects are building new opportunities for the Dowerin region, with the announcement of a hockey shed for community use, and a 64m x 24m multipurpose shed set to transform the northwest corner of the iconic Dowerin Machinery Field Days site.

Built by leading steel frame construction company AUSPAN Group, the new hockey shed is made possible through generous funding from the Dowerin Machinery Field Days and support of Field Days sponsor AUSPAN, community volunteer contributions and grants from the Shire of Dowerin and CBH Group.

Dowerin Machinery Field Days General Manager Danielle Green said the hockey facility is welcomed by the community, which has advocated for the amenity since 2016, and exemplified the collaborative spirit of the Field Days and its mission of providing opportunities for WA’s agriculture industry and community.

“When completed, the hockey shed will stand as a transformative addition to the recreation precinct of Dowerin. The facility will add to the vibrancy of the area, and contribute to broader community wellbeing initiatives, which are vitally important in regional communities,” said Danielle.

“The Hockey Club raised their contribution to the project through volunteering for the Field Days over many years, and some local suppliers including Holberton Earthmoving and Harris Electrical Servicing will gift their time. It’s testament to the power of collaboration and a reminder that we’re all part of one team Wheatbelt,” she said.

“The 64m x 24m multipurpose shed is thanks to AUSPAN’s extended sponsorship agreement through to 2032, alongside the Field Days’ own investments in infrastructure. AUSPAN is the perfect partner for this project: as builders of machinery sheds, grain sheds, shearing sheds, workshops, and all other types of agricultural sheds, they understand the specific requirements of rural infrastructure. Partnering with this Western Australian family-owned business also aligns with the Field Days’ value of giving opportunities to regional business wherever possible.”

The hockey shed will serve as a catering venue during Field Days and the multipurpose shed will be home to the Merino Breeders Association and others.

AUSPAN’s Steve Richardson, Design & Construction Director, agreed on the importance of community facilities to wellbeing, noting the company’s involvement in the Field Days and the construction projects underscored AUSPAN’s focus on supporting agricultural industry initiatives.

"One of the things we most enjoy about the work we do is the many opportunities we have to give back to the community. One of AUSPAN’s Core Values is Win/Win and from sponsoring regional sports clubs to charity events, we are dedicated to supporting the communities we serve," said Steve.

“As a Western Australian family-owned business, we appreciate how vital it is to support local suppliers and businesses, and the people who operate them. It’s important to us that we're always doing what we can to support farmers, and we want to do what we can to make sure that Dowerin Machinery Field Days remains a strong Field Day for WA," he said.

“AUSPAN specialises in building purpose-built sheds, ranging from smaller C-Purlin framed sheds like the one for the hockey club, through to large multipurpose structures. AUSPAN also support the Industrial market across WA and are always available to assist. The best way to see the quality of an AUSPAN shed is to see a real-life example – make sure to mark your calendars for the 2024 Field Days to check it out!"

The 64m x 24m multipurpose shed is a notable addition to investments into infrastructure for the Dowerin Machinery Field Days site, which this year included the newly refurbished Euroz Hartleys Pavilion, new public ticket entrance builds at Gates 1 and 3 and other building refurbishments around the grounds to improve the look and functionality of the amenities, representing the largest upgrade to its site infrastructure in the Field Days history.

“The 2023 site layout evolved to improve zoning to create hubs and clusters to help foster connections between relevant suppliers and make for a better visitor experience. This also enabled the full utilisation of the event site to meet the ever-growing demand for the number of exhibitor applications,” said Danielle.

“The Field Days provides platforms to engage stakeholders, connect decision makers and showcase and positively impact commercial returns for the ag sector while benefiting the community. These infrastructure investments are about more than building sheds – it’s about building greater opportunities for WA’s ag sector and the people who drive it,” she said.

The infrastructure investments come as the Field Days prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2024, which will be forward-looking and centre on the “future of farming” as the theme.

“We’re excited to see how these significant infrastructure projects benefit our community now and for the future. Our team is working hard to mark the 60 years of Field Days in 2024, while advocating for and supporting the sector for the next 60 years,” said Danielle.

Founded in 2009 by a farming family, AUSPAN has constructed shed and asset protection facilities on over 1,500 farms, establishing itself as one of Australia's leading steel frame construction companies.