Staunch volunteer Bryson Terlich, 86, with the original Manitou forklift he ”cut his teeth on” in 1970 at the Henty field days. Photo: Kim Woods.
At 86 years young, Bryson Terlich has done his fair share of the heavy lifting to get southern Australia’s biggest field days off the ground.
The veteran volunteer has spent the past few weeks directing traffic for the cranes and forklifts prepping the site for the 850 exhibitors and dozens of community organisations that descend on the region over three days every September.
But when the gates to the 2026 Henty Machinery Field Days swing open on Tuesday, Bryson can safely kick back knowing he’s done his bit!
Setting up a $250 million agribusiness super-event takes an army of workers and heavy machinery. It is dedicated stalwarts like Bryson who have kept the big wheels turning on this much-loved fixture of the Riverina’s farming calendar.
Bryson, who has been a co-operative member, board director and worker for more than 56 years, says his first job at the field days was parking cars before he was “promoted” to driving forklifts.
“I ended up organising all the loading and unloading sitting in an office … and I’m still doing it now!”
Bryson “cut his teeth” on a Manitou forklift at Henty in 1970. In an incredible testament to the event’s history, that very same machine is still used on site today.
“It’s the only original one left — Manitou want to buy it back off us,” he says.
In 2023, Bryson joined fellow retired farmers Barry Scholz, Neil Bahr and Kerry Pietsch to cut the 60th-anniversary cake at the field days, representing a combined 240 years of volunteering across six decades.
Following a massive week of behind-the-scenes preparations, Region sat down with Bryson to talk machinery, community, and why he believes the future of Henty is in good hands:
What do you enjoy most about Henty?
It’s the camaraderie with everyone.
And even though I’ve retired from farming, I still like to have a good look around and keep up with all the technology. I sold my farm in 2010 and in that short time, electronics and automation have changed things a lot. I’m not sure I could handle it (laughs).
Your wife of 60 years, Gwen, is also involved with the field days?
Yes, she’s had a long association with the Country Lifestyle pavilion as part of the CWA. She’s there every field days, she grows lots of plants and sells them for the CWA. She’s been doing that for 30 to 40 years — almost as long as I have — and she still likes it.
How did you meet Gwen (nee Piltz) and was it love at first sight?
Ah, yes and no. It took a while, but we got there. We met through church youth groups. We were both Lutheran but from different congregations, and we still go to church at Henty.
Tell us about your farming background?
I was born at Milbrulong (near The Rock), where my father had a small farm. When we got married, we moved to Yerong Creek and I originally bought a bit of land (300 acres/120 hectares) off Gwen’s father. When he passed away, I bought another 700 acres and in between that, I had purchased another 400-acre block nearby. So we had 1400 acres of cropping and sheep. I’d done a lot of wool classing as a young man (for about 25 years), so that’s where the interest in sheep came from.
What do you think about farming today?
It’s all getting a lot bigger — and you’ve got to survive. That’s got its good and bad points. I think it’s taken a bit away from our farming communities and rural areas because there’s just not the same number of people. That goes against us because we don’t get enough of a say.
I’ve got a son and a daughter, and they haven’t gone into farming. Our children are better off where they are now.
Heading onto the topic of politics, what are your thoughts on One Nation leader Pauline Hanson being invited to open the field days?
I’ve got mixed views and I’d prefer not to comment. In the last few years, we’ve had people like (meteorologist) Jane Bunn and (television presenter) Catriona Rowntree, who weren’t pushing any political barrows, but before that we’ve had plenty of other pollies.
Is there a particular politician you have rated over the years?
(Former deputy prime minister) Tim Fischer was just a top fellow in this area and a top person for the bush. I’m not sure yet about (new Farrer MP) David Farley, but he might have his head screwed on the right way.
What are your thoughts on the younger generation these days?
In my role at the field days, I get to mix with a lot of the younger ones and they are all really good kids — otherwise they wouldn’t be here. There are quite a few young people now heavily involved in the field days and they are the future who will keep it going.
What’s the advice you’ve lived by?
Be honest and be prepared to work.
How are you spending your retirement (when you’re not working at the field days)?
We bought seven acres at Table Top because we couldn’t bring ourselves to live in town. Gwen is a very keen gardener, and I love welding and fixing things. We both love to travel and have seen plenty of Australia in our caravan. We love the outback. Our children and grandchildren live in Queensland, so we like to go up and see them, although we’re slowing down a bit now.
Do you have your sights set on making your 100th birthday?
If I go tomorrow, I’ve had a good life and I’m satisfied with that.
Original Article published by Jodie O’Sullivan on Region Riverina.
