Rural & Agriculture
25 August, 2026
Ewe beauty, a ripper day at Marnoo
TORRENTIAL rain failed to dampen spirits at Marnoo last Wednesday as farmers, students, agricultural businesses and community organisations converged on the town for a successful Victorian State Merino Field Day.
Heavy showers swept across the Marnoo Recreation Reserve during the morning, but the conditions did little to deter visitors, with a strong crowd making its way through stud and industry displays and taking in education sessions throughout the day.
Among those making the most of the opportunity were Longerenong College students Megan Bird and Annabell Schlueter, who are completing their Certificate IV in wool classing.
The pair have travelled considerably further than most to pursue their studies, with Bird coming from Tasmania and Schlueter from South Australia.
“We’re out here today looking at all the different stalls and all the sheep, getting some ideas, making some connections,” Bird said.
While sheep and agriculture were naturally at the heart of the event, the field day also provided an opportunity to put rural health in the spotlight.
Grampians Community Health community health nurse Claire Tucker spent the day offering basic health checks and conversations about looking after your health.
The service attracted plenty of interest – and produced a few blood pressure readings worth following up.
“We’ve had some conversations about revisiting our GP and prioritising our health,” Tucker said.
“People are happy in saying it’s really important, so they know that it is.”
Tucker was also promoting Grampians Community Health’s free community paramedic clinic, which aims to reach people who may otherwise be falling through gaps in accessing health care.
Northern Grampians Shire Council also used the gathering to showcase what the wider region has to offer.
Council events officer Jana Turkalj was on hand representing the Discover Northern Grampians brand and said events provided an opportunity to remind both visitors and locals about attractions and experiences throughout the municipality.
“It’s just a great way to remind people that we’re here and what’s so fantastic about the region,” she said.
“Encourage them to disperse throughout the region and just see all the natural wonders as well as various things that can be done here.”
With a busy spring calendar approaching, Turkalj said upcoming attractions included the Grampians BBQ Festival in early September and a number of running events across the region
Read More: Marnoo