The Inaugural National Fencing Field Day

What a great event as I reflect over the last few days in the beautiful Bay of Islands at Waitangi.

On the first night of Conference, a ‘Meet and Greet’ was held at the bar which was awesome to catch up with old and new members coming to the Conference for the first time. Then a ferry trip across the bay to the famous Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell socialising and dining the night away.

The inaugural National Fencing Field Day was outstanding. Held at the Waimate North Showgrounds on Friday 6 August. With an early start for the Exhibitors to set up in fine conditions was great but that changed briefly with a heavy shower of rain around 10am and then came out fine again.

There was a fantastic mix of regular and new exhibitors with a great turn out of their wares and competitions running simultaneously. With upwards of 200+ people attending it was great to see a lot of younger and new fencing contractors and farmers turning out, hearing a lot about fencing products, how to do things to a higher standard, sharing ideas, networking and lifting their standards to a top level.

Demonstration site

Dean Ormrod, Bayonet and FCNZ President Phil Cornelius

Also seeing the machinery available to make the job easier, understanding the different techniques of footing in different ground and understanding the holding power (the results of which are covered in a later article). From driven posts, waratahs, wired, nailed etc – it certainly created a lot of interest. Our thanks to Tony White and Murray Graham of Revolution Postdriver.

Elite Conference sponsor Bayonet displayed their biggest roll of netting: an impressive 1.4 ton and 1,660 metres. Other activities included rail work cutting and fitting demonstrations with Greg Burton.

Bayonets 1 mile length of netting

COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Having a go at ‘Guess the Strainer Weight’ competition

Competitions included Stockade’s batten stapling competition with batten guns and different sized battens and figuring out what’s best. Hammer throwing. Striding out your line competition to exact measurements: one male and one female were on the money – we fencing contractors know our distances!

Competition prizegiving

The Strainrite site

The WIREMARK® wire tying competition required competitors to tie two figure 8 knots, tie an end insulator and strain all to specified kgfs 100 and 150. The Strainrite activator competition required tying off and straining. We had guess the number of staples in a jar, a nail hammering competition, guess the weight of a strainer and indoors the creativity flowed with a competition for the best table centrepiece arrangement, for the night ahead. When it gets down to competitions it’s great to see the competitive spirit coming out among the fencing community.

It was all about technique at the Hammer Throw competition

A Swansson team effort for the Table Centrepiece competition

There is always a lot of time and effort goes into organising these days which everyone gets so much out of

There is always a lot of time and effort goes into organising these days which everyone gets so much out of, especially keeping everyone fed and watered with coffee (Bay Bliss), food (Smoke n Daggers), burgers (Carters) and refreshments (Mt Pokaka).

Heather, Jeanette and the Board did an outstanding job pulling it all together – an awesome few days in the Bay of Islands, networking and having fun and time out.

I’m looking forward to the Best Practice Days in the North Island. These are a must-do for our fencing fraternity, where you get first-hand advice to help you in your business going forward.

Stay safe, have fun and enjoy what you do.

Rail work and cutting session with Greg Burton

A BIG thank you to the onsite exhibitors - without you it wouldn’t happen

1. Fencing Contractors NZ showcasing the industry going forward

2. NorthTec – Great having Jim Smith informing everyone of the training to Level 3 and Level 4 coming along next.

3. Delfast (Po)

4. PermaPine (Warwick)

5. Stihl (Matt & Murray)

6. Gas and Tyre (Josh, Arno & Brendon)

7. Carters

8. Revolution Postdrivers (Tony & Murray)

9. Steel & Tube / Hurricane (Warren & Sefton)

10. Beattie Insulators (Ivan)

11. Summit Steel & Wire (Ben & Gareth)

12. EdgeSmith (Grant & Richard)

13. Husqvarna (Jonty & Troy)

14. Strainrite (Lindsay & Hugh)

15. WIREMARK® (Stan & Laura)

16. Bayonet (Dean & Andrew)

17. Waratah (Brendon)

18. Power Farming (Jono & Steven)

19. FencePro (Toby)

20. Kinghitter (Matt)

21. Impact Off Road (Ian & Cameron)

22. All Rural Fencing (Malcolm)

23. Stockade (Warren, Mike & Warren)

24. FenceQuip (Troy & Andy)

25. Mt Pokaka (Hadley & Alby)

Having all our Partners and Exhibitors on board makes for an outstanding event.