In fact, sponsorship and volunteering go hand-in-hand in terms of fostering vibrant regional communities. 

Each year Henty shines when the gates are thrown open at the popular field days site for three days and more than 50,000 people visit.

The Henty Machinery Field Days holds pride of place on the rural events calendar and aside from showcasing the latest in agricultural technology and equipment it is a mecca for community support.

School groups band together to run successful food stalls and volunteers put on high-visibility vests and park cars and organise parcel collection. 

During the three days the site is a hive of activity.

Yet plenty happens during other times of the year too.

The yard dog trial area – which attracts the most successful competitors from throughout the country during the field days – came to life recently for a different purpose. 

It was an educational opportunity to run a working dog clinic with Stephen Condell of Downside. 

Mr Condell provided some of the basic information about getting the most out of a working dog and helping to iron out some of the common frustrations associated with stock handling. 

Aside from imparting knowledge and attracting a keen group of participants the event gained much-appreciated community support from the Henty branch of the Bendigo Bank. 

This was a financial coup for the participants and it was welcomed. But it also had the ripple effect of creating strong community ties. 

Participants welcomed Gaynor McLeish – who is the branch manager of Bendigo Bank at Henty – to the event.

It was the ideal opportunity for her to see the kind of value those in the community gained from sponsorship. 

She also handed out merchandise including caps and bags. 

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Meanwhile, the football club at Urana has been dealt a blow after it was broken into before the match at the weekend. The Billabong Crows Football and Netball Club posted on social media that it had been broken into. 

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Do you love looking at old photos? Be sure to visit the Eastern Riverina Chronicle’s website and social media sites to see the weekly throwback albums. The photos capture the history and events of the regions. If you have old copies of the Eastern Riverina Chronicle let us know nreynolds@fairfaxmedia.com.au