The small country town of Castlemaine in Victoria was alive with the sounds of trucks on the weekend as the 36th Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show rolled into town.
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Hosted over two days at the Campbells Creek recreation reserve the event draws truckies from all over Australia for the chance to catch up with friends, show off their trucks and be in the running for a trophy across a range of categories ranging from Truck of the Show to Best Working Rig.
Heavy Haulage Assets and Larsen’s Truck Sales backed up as the major sponsors for the third year in a row for a show that had something for everything, including a super warm 35 degree Saturday and a Sunday that started with a steady shower of rain and a cooler change.
Sunday is the big day for locals as the trucks line up and roll through the middle of the town, this year’s parade taking more than 25 minutes to make it past the clock tower and back out to Campbells Creek for a precision parking effort guided by the more than 150 volunteers who help make the shape happen each year.
Among the food offerings on site are the Rotary barbecue tent and the Lions hot food caravan, with well over 2000 meals served over the two days helping to raise vital funds for local fundraising.
Rotary Castlemaine president Terry Murphy took time out at the start of Sunday’s presentations to thank truck show director Kerry Anderson for her dedication to the cause.
“Kerry and her team have done a magnificent job, and aside from a little bit of moisture falling from the heavens, I think we’ve had a pretty good weekend. So thank you Kerry and team,” Terry said.
With more than 250 trucks registered and 300 on the ground for the event the judges had their work cut out for them when it came time to adjudicate the trophies.
The quality of trucks was so high that for the first time ever, two trucks scored the top score of 30 points, leading to a count back and the awarding of first, second and third prize in the category.
HHA boss Jon Kelly told the crowd it was tough call.
“This was a difficult one, because we went over the scorecard about 15 times, ratifying it, making sure the scores don’t lie. And the winner again this year for Truck of the Show, is truck number 39, Kenworth SAR Cornwill Transport,” he said.
The Colli Timber and Hardware 1981 White Road Boss was the second truck with a score of 30, and was named runner up, with Moloney Bulk and Transport’s Kenworth T900 coming in third in the Truck of the Show category.
The best fleet category was another hotly competitive section with 11 companies showing up with three or more trucks, including Patlin Heavy Haulage which had 11 trucks in its line up.
A full list of winners is available here
Trucks aside, the family friendly event had pony rides for the youngsters, live music from the Sandee Facy Trio and The Davidson Bros, and a range of trucking products and merchandise on sale from trade exhibitors keen to share their wares.
The dates for the 2025 edition of the truck show are already live, November 29 and 30.
For more photographs and stories from the big weekend, check out the December edition of Deals on Wheels magazine, on sale December 16, just in time for Christmas!
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