General News
19 September, 2022
Restoration centrepiece
A 1918 Day-Elder truck was the centrepiece of Wedderburn Historic Engine and Machinery’s Society’s 30th rally at the weekend. Hundreds of enthusiasts streamed into the society’s engine park, greeted by the truck restored by members. Former...
A 1918 Day-Elder truck was the centrepiece of Wedderburn Historic Engine and Machinery’s Society’s 30th rally at the weekend.
Hundreds of enthusiasts streamed into the society’s engine park, greeted by the truck restored by members.
Former secretary Peter Norman, one of five members recognised with society life membership at the weekend, picked up the wrecked truck from a farm at Berrimal in 1974.
Current secretary Lois Goddard said: ”To replace the smashed up engine Peter found one at Jung and also located a radiator at Nathalia.
“Everything remained as it was until this year when work began to bring the truck back to life,” she said.
“With genuine DE parts unavailable the members used their knowledge and creativity to adapt parts from various types of machinery to get the truck up and running. Internet research gave members an idea of how the truck should look. It was decided to make a Model T C Cabin and paint it dark red.
“When the Day-Elder trucks were imported from the US, Gippsland and Northern painted them red.
“Club members have put in hundreds of hours working on the truck at the weekend working bees and some of the more intricate work was done at member’s homes.”
Peter said: “The condition of my donation to the Club is that it remains in Wedderburn and it is never to be sold. We applied to the Loddon Shire for a community grant to help with the Restoration project. This was succesful.
“I have rejected many offers over the years to buy the truck ... one came from Darwin ... word gets around!”
Among exhibitors at the rally were Chris Cram, of South Australia, who said he had been to all 30 rallies and local society member Graham Hadden, of Coleraine, with a restored 1928 International engine.
Shepparton’s Eric Dillon was making his debut with 1920 Fuller and Johnson engine.
“I went to another rally at Cobden and everyone said I should come to Wedderburn,” said Eric who started collecting and restoring lawn mowers “and built up to bigger things” over the past two years.
Society president Trevor Bailey said some exhibitors had arrived in town up to a week before the rally and camped on the adjoining cricket oval.
“There’s been a really good turnout for the rally ... with all the rain we had we’ve called it the gumboot rally this year,” he joked as crowds moved between static engine displays, old trucks, shearing demonstrations and refreshment stalls.
Mr Bailey has been part of the society for most of its existence and has served a total of 20 years as president. His contribution was also acknowledged with life membership as were Ted Goddard, Frank Canfield and Bob Passalick who recently passed away.
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