Trucks keep the country turning, and they have for years.
So, what better way to celebrate Australia’s mechanical heritage in all its roaring, dust-slinging glory, than with the Wauchope Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Show?
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It was a weekend held on October 4 and 5, that reminded people of the machines, and the people behind them, that continuously dedicate their livelihood to the open road.
“Personally, I very much like seeing our past kept alive,” event secretary Mary Tate says.
“It’s an opportunity to see how tractors, trucks and engines have evolved from different periods of time and how differently they were used. I enjoy learning about those differences.
“Without these machines, our country would look a lot different.”
This year the weather was perfect. It was the kind of sunny weekend out that made truck’s chrome sparkle. But even under those blue skies, numbers were down a little with an estimated 600 community members attending over the two days.
“I think it’s a reflection that people are doing it tough out there,” Mary says.
“A lot of the machinery and restoration club shows in the area are finding it hard as well, experiencing lower attendance numbers due to the economy.
“But the committee were happy with the attendance given the cost of living as well as the other events held in the area over the same weekend.”
Still, spirits and passions were high.
“Overall, I think this event brings the Wauchope community together. They always love to get involved with something local.”
The showgrounds were a museum come to life.
Meticulously restored Macks, tractors lined up like soldiers and engines that looked older than some of the adults watching them tick over.
“There were all makes and models of over 50 trucks, from the earliest kind to the latest,” Mary says.
“A beautifully restored Mack caught my attention. It was one I had never seen before at a show.”
But one of the most eye catching displays was a something a little different, working hard out in the dirt.
Out at the front of the grandstands, tons of rich brown soil had been hauled in just for the occasion.
“We had dozers working in eight tonnes of dirt, as well as scrapers and assorted farm machinery to show off their tool set and what they used to do back in their hay day,” Mary says.
Crowds watched in awe as old beasts came back to life, belching smoke like it was 1955 again.
“There were the slowest Land Cruiser, truck and tractor races held. The oldest truck at the show was a 1950 AEC timber log truck that is owned by Expressway Spares, that was quite impressive.
“This is what our community really enjoys, it’s what makes us different.
And this is what the show was made for. For people to gather and share what they love. To do up their machines and indulge in the joy of showing it off.
Whether it’s a vehicle in its working clothes, or a project that’s been pulled apart, pieced back together and repainted, Wauchope wants to see it and promises to keep its story alive.
Award Winners
- Best Heritage Truck of the Show – was a Blue ACCO 3070A that is owned by Steve Aylward
- The Best Working Truck of the Show – was a Kenworth K104 that is owned by Hillard’s Refrigerated Transport
Read more:
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- Truckin’ round bees in a 1974 International Acco
- Join the fun at the 37th Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
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