What’s the best truck show in Australia? There’s plenty to ponder in March 2020
The month of March is generally a big one for trucking industry events, and this year is no exception.
For those who couldn’t spare the time (or money) to cross the Pacific Ocean for the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, or the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, there’s plenty on offer here in Australia, especially along the east coast.
The Ballarat branch of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia is presenting the annual Clunes Historic Vehicle Show on March 8. Clunes is just up the road from Ballarat and it’s the 10th running of the event.
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It was a Mack-athon at Kyabram in 2018. Photo by Tamara Whitsed
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Up in NSW, the twin towns of Harden and Murrumburrah will be holding the Harden Truck & Tractor Show at the showgrounds on March 15. This show has been running since 2013, becoming one of the best shows in rural NSW. Not only a showcase for classic trucks, there’s generally a few new models on show as well.
Back in Victoria, the Kyabram Mack Muster, run every two years, will be celebrating 50 years of the Australian R700 Mack on March 21. The bulldog brand may not be setting the world on fire sales-wise in recent times, but Mack aficionados will come out of the woodwork for this event.
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The truck parade circles the Harden-Murrumburrah Showgrounds during the 2016 Harden Truck & Tractor Show. Photo by Greg Bush
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A couple of hours drive north over the border in the NSW Riverina district, the Oaklands Truck Show will take place on the same day as Kyabram. It will be a poignant show for the Oaklands committee, who will pay tribute to the late Dean Edmunds, a local publican, committee member, sponsor and truck show judge who passed away in November 2019.
Oaklands is spread over the entire weekend of March 21 to 22, so it’s a logistical possibility for those keen on attending both Kyabram and Oaklands shows.
A week later, on March 28, the final Crawlin’ the Hume will set off from Campbellfield in Melbourne, travelling up the old Highway 31 en route to Albury.
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Golden Guitar-winning country rock band The Wolfe Brothers will be back at the Penrith Working Truck Show on March 29.
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Last but certainly not least, Penrith’s Museum of Fire will again be hosting the Penrith Working Truck Show on March 29. Now in its 33rd year, this year’s event will boast entertainment from the likes of The Wolfe Brothers, Simply Bushed and Jayne Denham.
However, for those with serious business interests, the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) Conference will take place earlier in the month, at the Tamworth Regional Events and Conference Centre on March 5 to 7.
It’s a magic month of truck industry events in March.
To have your truck event listed free in both the Upcoming Events panel at www.ownerdriver.com.au and the What’s On page in Owner//Driver magazine, email odonline@bauertrader.com.au