HISTORY will be rolling, rattling and roaring into action on the Australia Day long weekend when Quambatook’s paddocks turn back the clock and put vintage muscle back to work.
The Quambatook Heritage Working Machinery Association will again stage its Harvest Working Days and Vintage Tractor Pull across 24-25 January, bringing together old iron, skilled hands and a growing crowd of enthusiasts who like their history hands-on.
Club members have been busy preparing machinery from an extensive collection of tractors, harvesters and trucks, while also welcoming collectors from across the region to bring their own machines and put them to work.
“We demonstrate our own machines, but a big part of the weekend is inviting others to bring harvesters to work or enter tractors in the vintage tractor pull,” association president Doug Carroll said.
And despite the stereotype, not all machinery collectors are old men.
A new generation is stepping into the paddock, including 28-year-old Rochester collector Hugh Macague, who said his interest started early.
“I’ve been mucking around with tractors since I was 16,” Mr Macague said.
His collection includes an early Sunshine Auto Header, Sunshine HST, Horwood Bagshaw OH, David Shearer XP88, IH A83 self-propelled and a particularly unusual machine he plans to bring this year, a Massey Ferguson 31.
“It’s a small German built machine, only about 1.7 metres wide with three straw walkers,” Mr Macague said.
Mr Macague will also demonstrate a homemade tractor with a remarkable back story.
Built in 1960 by two brothers from Forbes, New South Wales, the tractor was created when they needed more power than commercial models could offer.
At the time, the army was selling surplus General Grant tanks, each powered by twin GM diesel engines.
“The brothers bought the drivetrains and built tractors out of them,” Mr Macague said.
“I’ve got the original one, and I call it Harry’s Horse.”
Another strong supporter of the event is Nanneella collector Vaughan Glass, whose shed is dominated by John Deeres including models 3020, 4020, 4620, 4230, 4430 and 4240, along with a rare Case 400 Hyclear diesel.
“Only 67 diesel and 58 petrol versions of that Case were made,” Mr Glass said.
Mr Glass will also bring a story that recently came full circle, after he tracked down and returned a John Deere 4010 tractor to the family who bought it new in 1963.
The tractor was originally purchased by George Holmberg from Grogans in Elmore, later traded, and eventually ended up on a farm in New South Wales.
Years later, Mr Glass spotted it for sale and added it to his collection.
“When I opened the owner’s manual at home, there was the name George Holmberg,” he said.
“I knew straight away it had to go back.”
Now 97, Mr Holmberg was thrilled to see his old tractor return to Elmore.
Last year’s Quambatook event attracted what Mr Carroll described as exceptional patronage, with more than 700 people attending across the two days.
“People come for the nostalgia, and some of the younger generation like to see how machinery was used by farming pioneers,” he said.
Vintage tractors travelled from as far as Nhill, Deniliquin and Finley, while the harvesting demonstration on Saturday proved a major drawcard.
About 70 people stayed on for the fully catered roast dinner after the tractor pull, rounding out what Mr Carroll said was a huge team effort by club members in the lead up.
Funds raised were put straight back into the community and the collection, including the purchase of a defibrillator to be shared with other clubs.
This year’s event will feature working demonstrations of strippers, harvesters and headers on both days, with the tractor pull scheduled for about 3pm on Saturday.
Gates open at 10am, and catering will be available throughout the weekend, including the Saturday night roast meal.
For more information, contact Doug on 0427 346 634 or Graeme on 0429 346 110.
