Under clear blue skies and with temperatures tipping towards the hot side, the 2025 East Gippsland Field Days brought thousands of visitors through the gates of the Bairnsdale Aerodrome for two action-packed days of agriculture, entertainment and community spirit.
Organised by the Lindenow Lions Club, this beloved annual event has been running strong for more than 30 years, ever since the club decided in the late 1980s to “do something big.” That ambition sparked the very first Field Days — and the tradition continues to grow.
From humble beginnings in 1975 with just 18 members fundraising through raffles and wood chops, the Lindenow Lions have become a powerhouse of local community support.
Their signature event, the East Gippsland Field Days, has evolved into one of the region’s most anticipated gatherings, showcasing everything from cutting-edge farming equipment to live music and crowd-favourite dog musters.
This year’s perfect weather saw 2500 visitors on Friday and an impressive 3400 on Saturday, with more than 700 exhibitors setting up stalls across the aerodrome.
“It’s always a blur when there are that many stalls,” said event Chairman Martin Woodward.
“But we get a real buzz out of seeing the Field Days come together so successfully.”
The warm conditions weren’t without their challenges.
Several visitors needed medical attention due to dehydration, prompting reminders to keep water bottles handy and take care in the heat.
The scorching temperatures also led to the cancellation of the popular Dino Races – a decision many would agree was wise, considering the difficulty of running in full-body dinosaur costumes.
But thrills were still in ample supply thanks to jaw-dropping stunt performances by motorcycle riders.
Entertainment continued with open mic music sessions held across two lively stages, and local food vendors served up delicious fare in both ‘The Big Green Shed’ and the Gippsland Agricultural Group’s building – a perfect pairing with the event’s upbeat atmosphere.
While specific charitable recipients for 2025 have yet to be confirmed, the Lindenow Lions Club remains committed to supporting the community.
The club takes a cautious approach to distributing funds, ensuring reserves are kept in place in case future Field Days are affected by unexpected circumstances like poor weather.
From its roots in service to its role as host of one of Victoria’s standout rural events, the Lindenow Lions Club continues to exemplify the spirit of Lions Australia, which began with its first club in Lismore, NSW back on July 1, 1947.
With the 2025 East Gippsland Field Days now wrapped up, Martin Woodward and his team are already taking stock, reflecting on another successful year – and maybe even starting to dream about what next year might bring.
