In 1982 Ken Wilson was the sheep and wool advisor for the Dept. of Primary Industries (DPI) in Barcaldine.  As part of his work he saw many good ideas and labour saving devices.  He also saw a need for producers to be able to see displays of new technology without having to travel to distant field days which were concerned with farming rather than grazing.

At a meeting held in 1982 at the North Gregory Hotel in Winton, Ken shared his ideas with other DPI sheep and wool advisors including Gerry Roberts, Noel O’Sanasey and Geoff Knights.  As a result of that meeting it was resolved to hold a field day in Barcaldine the following year.  The name “Westech” was given to the project.

The first Westech, in 1983, was fully sponsored by the DPI and Ken was the administrator and CEO.  He was supported by his wife Nola who did much of the typing of correspondence and Roger Cheffins from DPI cattle who also contributed.  Sixty exhibitors attended the first Westech and all agreed it was a great success.  It was agreed that Westech should be held every three years, giving time for new product to emerge.

The 1986 Westech was again all Ken’s work, with DPI backing.  Alex Graham and John Reynolds, also from the DPI, spent considerable time helping Ken with organization of this Westech.  After the 1986 field days, which attracted 126 exhibitors, Ken decided he needed a committee and outside sponsorship.  It was at a meeting of the Barcaldine branch of the Graziers Association that Ken outlined his plans.  Jim Allpass chaired this meeting in which many of the committee members from the Barcaldine Graziers Association, Barcaldine Show Society and Barcaldine Campdraft Association became founding members of the Westech Field Days Committee Inc.

Due to poor seasons it was to be 1990 before the next Westech at which Coopers Animal Health became a long time sponsor and supporter of Westech.  Sharon Warneke was by now doing much of the administration from the DPI office.  Committee members gave assistance when needed.

In 1993, Westech was again run by Ken Wilson as President of a Westech Committee that was now more experienced with areas of responsiblity being given to various committee members.  Sandy Gray and Marcelle Chandler were two people who gave great assistance to Sharon at different times.  Sarah Fysh, who also worked in the DPI building, did much of the treasurer’s job.

By 1995, John Landers from Primac had joined the committee to help organise the bull sale.  The show committee ran the bars at the early Westech Field Days and the profits helped keep the show going for many years.

In November 1996 an AGM was held to appoint a new president to take over from Ken Wilson.  John Chandler was elected interim president.  The following year a dinner was held to farewell Ken and Nola Wilson and their family who had brought their own property south west of Bollon.

In 1998, Wetech committee members Chris Egerton, John Landers and John Miller (Shire Mayor) organised a meeting with the Barcaldine Shire Council CEO, Peter Burrows, to discuss an office within the Shire Council building and assistance with administering Westech.  It was agreed to make Westech part of John Landers, now the Barcaldine and Aramac Shire Development Office, role.

For the 1999 Westech, Chris Egerton was the president with John Landers, Chris Krompic and Amanda Krompic in administration.  Accountant Brett Walsh came on board as treasurer and financial advisor.  His budgets gave Westech a more professional operating base.

The 2002 Westech was again run by the team of Chris Egerton, John Landers, Bernie Karslake and Brett Walsh with many of the old faces still making up the committee.  By now, around 200 exhibitors were coming to Westech and the committee had a healthy bank balance and all of it’s data on computer.

By 2005, Westech employed a full time administrator, Andrea Lingard, to organise Westech.  Andrea still worked out of the Shire Council building with the aid of a trainee and backup assistance from the staff of the Barcaldine Shire Council office staff, who have been of great assistance over the past years.  Westech attracted 250 exhibitors and thousands of visitors over the two day event.

At the AGM in December 2005, Chris Egerton and Brett Walsh expressed their desire to retire from chairman and treasurer after many years of hard work.  Chris still remained on the committee as vice president and agreed to chair the meeting until a new chairman was elected.  Also Eleanor Fraser-Bourne resigned from the committee after 20 years as a valued member.  In August 2006 a special meeting of the Westech Field Days Committee Inc was held and Andrew Cowper was elected as president.  Also elected were Sally Newton as secretary and Jenny Lawrence as treasurer.

The planning of Westech 2008 is gearing up to be the biggest so far.  The committee has had to grow with Westech and now has 24 members as well as numerous volunteers who work with the committee to enable the smooth running of the Field Days.