The main street of Walcha erupted with the shimmer of polished chrome, a roar of engines and a sea of trucks snaking through the town in mid-February.
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It was impossible not to be caught up in the excitement of the fourth annual Walcha Antique Machinery and Truck Show. From the moment the parade rolled out at 10:30am on Saturday morning, spectators were treated to a spectacle of history and passion, with more than 100 trucks parading through the town and drawing over 1,000 visitors through the gates.
One organiser instrumental in bringing the show to life is secretary Megan Tisdell who was excited to recall the event.
“The show originally began in 2022, and the Wauchope Yesteryear Club actually helped us start it,” she says.
“We got a small committee together of Walcha locals and, with the support of businesses and sponsors, really brought it to town.”
Local trucking companies came to support, like Betts, Brian Smith Marchant brothers and Walcha Carrying Company who proudly showcased their fleet alongside vintage rigs, some dating back decades.
Enthusiasts travelled from Wauchope, the Central Coast and even Victoria, proving the event draws reach far beyond the local community.
The parade lasted a lively 45 minutes, weaving an impressive tapestry of vehicles from cars, tractors and motorbikes to trucks.
“There was everything from early 1900s classics, right through to models fresh off the showroom floor,” Megan says.
“It was pretty special to have such a high and extensive range of different vehicles there.”
But there’s more to the Walcha Truck Show than gleaming metal deafening engines. It’s a show that gives back.
“We give so much to the local community,” Megan says. “All of the funds raised go back to local charities. It’s nice when you can sit back and realise, wow, we’ve actually made a difference. That’s where all our hard work is going toward.”
This year alone, the event raised over $15,000, with beneficiaries including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and the local hospital auxiliary, with smaller charities to be finalised soon.
For those who got to see it, the Walcha Antique Machinery Truck Show wasn’t just a parade, but an opportunity to celebrate community spirit, shared history and love of transport.
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