MORE than 20,000 people are expected to attend the 2019 FNQ Rotary Field Days in Mareeba this week, making it the most successful year yet.
The Mareeba Rodeo Grounds was heaving with activity on day two of the event today, with people from near and far taking in the largest field day in northern Australia.
Former rugby league great and farmer Shane Webcke was a star attraction, drawing crowds to both the farm safety speech he delivered, and also a question and answer session at the bar.
Webcke spoke about the tragic loss of his father 25 years ago in a workplace accident and the lasting impact it had on his family.
He suggested that more red-tape or regulations were not needed to protect people working in the rural industries, but encouragement that they limit risk taking behaviour and exercise more common sense.
"Statistically the most dangerous industry to work in is a rural one, with more people being killed or maimed in farming accidents than anything else," Webcke said.
"So, my message is that if you care about farm safety, it's up to you and you alone."
The event continues on Friday.
