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9th
National Historic Machinery
Rally
Heyfield Victoria
8th -
10th March 2003
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1923
Marshall Compound Traction
Engine
Owner Kevin Lord
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RECORD-BREAKING
CROWDS EXPECTED!
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In
March 2003 the tiny township
of Heyfield in Gippsland (Victoria)
Australia is set to host one
of the largest events ever
seen in the area. Heyfield
(population 1,600) is expecting
an influx of approximately
30,000 visitors, including
hundreds travelling from England,
Europe, New Zealand and United
States.
What
are they coming to see?
One of the largest collections
of vintage tractors, steam
engines, vintage cars, trucks
and tractors, stationary engines
and collectibles ever gathered
in one place.
Victoria is unlikely to have
this biennial event for another
14 years, so many exhibitors
and enthusiasts are eager
to display their favorite
items, and are quite willing
to travel many days to make
it to the event.
The small but enthusiastic
9th National Historical Machinery
Association Rally Group has
been working towards hosting
this event for six years.
Co-ordinator John Mahoney
stated …
"There
are already over 500 exhibits
with an average of 5 new
entries arriving every day.
It is going to be one of
the largest, probably the
largest, event ever held
in Gippsland."
John added, "There
will be a wide range of
activities taking place
every day. For example,
an attempt will be made
to set a Guinness Book of
Records entry, with a parade
through the town of vintage,
veteran and classic commercial
vehicle on Saturday 8th
March."
A
Tractor Pull is being organised
by the Sale Vintage Tractor
Club and they already have
up to 300 competitors. These
competitions will be run all
weekend.
Volunteers from the Heyfield
& District Vintage Machinery
Group recently finished building
a shed on the Gordon Street
Reserve to house the blacksmiths'
forge.
"We
have 28 blacksmiths booked
to work five or six forges
in shifts all day. They
will be demonstrating and
making a range of implements
and metalwork. Blacksmiths
produce not only objects
such as horseshoes and fireplace
sets, but are well sought
after to create intricate
and detailed renovation
work on many historic buildings".
One
feature spectators will be
thrilled to see, is the Steam
Train exhibit, where an 80
metre track will be laid by
members at the Reserve in
order to display a working
steam engine.
For those also interested
in horses, teams of horses
will demonstrate ploughing
techniques using vintage farm
machinery. Teams of clydesdales
will be displayed pulling
drays in the Grand Parade
as well.
It will be a great day for
all the family, with amusements
available to keep the children
occupied.
For
any more information,
please contact:
Co-ordinator John Mahony phone;
61-3-5148 2331 or
Secretary Denise Heywood;
61-3-5148 2643
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FEATURES
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Working
steam train exhibit
Vintage, classic &
veteran cars, trucks
and tractors
Traditional blacksmiths
working
Guinness Book of Records
attempt
Tractor Pull
Displays of stationary
and traction engines
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Huge
range of collectibles
Art & craft
Wood turners
Working horse teams
Roulettes aeronautics
display
Gold prospecting exhibit |
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Expected
number of visitors -
30,000
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EXHIBITOR
DETAILS
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Entry
- ALL exhibitors (Car,
truck, motorcycles,
engines etc.) MUST have
completed an Exhibitor
Entry Form and paid
the $5 registration
fee to display their
exhibit.
Catering - There
will be 22 local groups
providing various meals
and snacks on-site throughout
the weekend. Meals and
groceries are also available
at the following places
in the main street (walking
distance); Heyfield
Bowls Club, Railway
& Commercial Hotels,
Pizza, Chinese, Fish
& Chips and takeaways,
2 supermarkets and a
Butcher.
Working Bees
- Working Bees will
be held every weekend
until the Rally. If
you as an individual
or as a Club can assist,
please contact John
Mahoney. Ph: (03)51482331.
Accommodation
- There are no vacancies
available on-site. Following
phone numbers may assist
you in gaining accommodation
in the area. 61-3- 51441108,
51411811, 1800 677520,
1800 637060, 1800 621409,
Insurance - Insurance
CANNOT be purchased
on the day. Entry form
must be completed and
paid for.
Car and motorbike displays
- Cars will not be behind
pens. It is anticipated
that if there is an
overflow of the Car
Display area, cars will
be lined around the
perimeter of the oval.
Motorbikes will be penned.
Entries - Entries
close 31st January 2003.
Period costume
- Organisers would be
very pleased if exhibitors
and Club members could
make the effort to dress
in PERIOD COSTUME. We
plan to award prizes
to the Best Dressed
Male and Female.
Gates - Committee
members would like exhibitors
to make a special effort
to be set up by 9.30am.
Gates will be closed
at 10.00am. If, due
to unforseen circumstances,
you arrive after 10.00
am, of course you will
be admitted. Check map
for details.
Car Co-ordinator
- Local man, Alan Lay
has offered to be Vintage
Car Co-ordinator. He
is knowledgeable about
the layout of the site.
Local Bus Tours
- Two types of tours
will be available at
this stage. One will
visit a local robotic
dairy - fascinating
to see Australia's most
up-to-date dairy technology.
($10)
The other three-hour
tour will visit Lake
Glenmaggie, the robotic
dairy and, in nearby
Stratford, peruse local
art galleries, craft
and antique shops. ($21)
Contact Margaret or
Tom - 61-3-51482515
- to secure your place.
First in first served!
Exhibitors' Tent
- This will be available
for exhibitors to take
time out. Tea, coffee
and newspapers will
be available for a bit
of r&r. Check out
the whiteboard for up-to-date
details. A message board
to contact friends etc
will be available in
this tent.
After the Rally
- Private property is
available for exhibitors
to store their engines,
exhibits etc if visitors
wish to stay on and
explore the area. Unfortunately,
due to insurance reasons,
all care no responsibility
can be taken.
Directions -
Major turnoffs to Heyfield
are from Stratford,
Sale, Rosedale and Traralgon.
Long Weekend - The Committee
has had many enquires
as to why the rally
is being held for three
days. This is because
it's a Labour Day weekend
in Victoria.
Saturday Night
- This event, as per
the entry form, is fully
booked. Alternative
arrangements for a meal
can be made at the following
venues:-
Wallaby Rise (Australian
bush tucker) - 61-3-51480376,
Railway Hotel - 61-3-51482293,
Commercial Hotel - 61-3-51482482,
Heyfield Bowling Club
- 61-3-51480255,
Heyfield Pizza Parlour
- 61-3-51482809,
Dragon Star Chinese
Restaurant - 61-3-51482888.
Air Co-ordinator
- Garry Warren is Air
Co-ordinator for those
wishing to fly in. He
can be contacted on
PH: 61-3-486223. Co-ordinates
are; S 38. 00 72, E
146. 32 42.
RAAF Roulettes
- Central Flying School
will be sending the
Roulette Solo Aerobatic
aircraft to conduct
a low level aerobatic
display on Sunday the
9th of March.
We
hope this information
is useful to you and
look forward to seeing
you and your families
at the 9th National
Historical Machinery
Rally on 8th - 10th
of March 2003 in Heyfield,
Victoria! For any enquires
please contact:
John Mahoney on 61-3-5148
2331.
Louise Hill-Coleman
Publicity Officer Ph:
61-3-51482813
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