Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

) ( ): I would like to congratulate the efforts of Rural Youth for their organisation and for their running of Agfest, which is held at the beginning of May each year in Tasmania. Agfest is a three-day-long showcase of all aspects of agricultural and associated industries. Agfest is a great, family-friendly event that has something for all—from tractors, four-wheel drive demonstrations, irrigators and livestock to gourmet food and craft sheds.

As I mentioned before, Agfest is run by the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania—a not-for-profit organisation that is made up of volunteers aged between 15 and 30 years. The first event was held in 1983 and has grown to be a significant rural event each year. This year it is estimated that approximately 60,000 people visited the agricultural field days.

The success of Agfest is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team of volunteers that put Agfest together. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Agfest, and I would challenge all mainland people involved in agriculture to get involved in Agfest in Tasmania. I congratulate the hardworking team on their efforts.

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