Roll up for machines of the past

ALL things old school will be on show next weekend as part of an annual fixture organised by members of the Ballan District Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Club.

Next Sunday will see the return of Ballan’s Great Vintage Rally at the town’s racecourse, which group secretary Jennie Tabone said will be an incredible display of classic cars, engines, and equipment.

“We’ll have our members and other clubs bringing stationary engines in for display, and there’ll be a car show, truck show and tractor show,” she said.

“It’s pretty much if you want to see it, it’ll be there. Our model train club are going to have their setup too as well as flying displays from the local model aircraft club.

“There’ll be an open display section where people can bring whatever on the day, and we have a lot of our members bringing antiquities like last year a woman brought in a range of kitchenalia.”

The event’s signature vintage tractor pull is expected to start from around 10am until 3pm while the engine collection housed in the world’s biggest Ronaldson Tippett machinery museum will be open to the public.

Shearing demonstrations will also feature in the event.

Ms Tabone said Ballan’s Great Vintage Rally has long been a popular event for the region.

“It’s a huge yearly thing that gets well-attended every time,” she said.

“Like the Ballan Autumn Festival, people will lock it into their calendar and it’s a cheap, fun day out for the family, and it’s locals supporting local.

“We have about 35 entries normally for the tractor pull, and 50 for the car and truck displays.

“The club celebrated its 35th year last year and I’ve been a member since 2015. It’s been well and truly going since before I’ve been a part of this.”

Entry is $10 adult and $20 for families while children enter free.