HMFD deputy chairman Matthew Noll has been appointed to fill the role on the seven-member board, while Mr Scheetz will remain as a director.
Daryl Thomson and Corey Lieschke are both deputy chairs, while the remaining directors are Mark Hasler, Brenten Meyer and Jordan Muller.
Mr Scheetz took on the role on February 12, 2019, upon the retirement of Ross Edwards, who served as chair for 11 years.
His term included the challenging years of COVID (2020-2021) and the largest field days on record in 2022.
“The field days has always played an important role, providing our exhibitors with the opportunity to be at the forefront and display new information, techniques and technology for agriculture,’’ Mr Scheetz said at the time.
He has been involved with the field days as a member from a young age, as a director since 2004, and in turn, his sons are all involved as members. He was involved with traffic control during the field days and assisted with the logistics and VIP area.
HMFD chief executive officer Belinda Anderson said Mr Scheetz led the field days out of difficult financial circumstances post COVID and would now leave the role of Chair with the co-operative in a strong financial position.
“Congratulations to our new chair Matthew Noll and I look forward to working with the new configuration of the board. HMFD has an exciting future ahead,” Mrs Anderson said.
Mr Noll was encouraged to work at the field days in 2007 by a mate while attending high school.
What began as going out each Saturday in September to help at the field days with pegging out the sites and distributing hay bales, his role evolved into taking a week of annual leave each year to work on site during the field days.
Appointed to the HMFD Board in 2017, Mr Noll works as a management accountant at Lawson Grains, Albury, and also runs sheep on his family’s small holding at Burrumbuttock.
At 34, Mr Noll is the youngest and first non-primary producer Chairman at Henty. He brings financial, analytical and corporate governance skills to the boardroom.
Mr Noll said the field days draws a diverse customer base and the younger generation without a farming connection needed to also be catered for.
He will continue to focus on the event’s core philosophy of showcasing the latest advancements in technology and innovation to farmers.
“There will always be a place for field days – people may do their research online, but they can come out to Henty and see the size of the machinery or sample the results of the agricultural process at Farm Gate and Country Lifestyle.
“Henty is also an important place for maintaining cohesive social connections with people able to look, see and catch up. HMFD has a great group of members who get together each year to put on a world-class event.”
Mr Noll said despite challenging seasonal conditions, commodity prices were strong and confidence among HMFD exhibitors was high.
“This year our visitors will be able to enjoy the launch of the world’s biggest production tractor, the John Deere 9RX, and celebrate 100 years of Ford and Caterpillar. Plus, Henty is the only field day to host the return of Agtech Alley following the success of last year.”
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