Vintage machines on show at annual rally

Jessica Benton
THE MECHANICS of yesteryear were brought back to life last weekend at the annual Geelong Vintage Rally.
Held over two days at the Geelong Showgrounds the rally showcased an array of classic cars, trucks and farm machinery.
The rally featured steam and internal combustion engines, working and static steam models, Roy Holden models, vintage farm machinery, tools and equipment and model toys.
Vice president of Geelong Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s vintage machinery club David Barker said a highlight of the rally was a large irrigation pump that was driven by a restored McDonald engine.
The pump was used at Little River to pump water to the town’s storage tanks early last century.
Other featured machinery was a vintage chaff cutter driven by a Ballarat Jelbart tractor, dating back 90 years, and a restored Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies traction engine built in 1903 and used on farms at Buninyong and Leopold.
Mr Barker said a large crowd turned out for the spectacle but he believed the hot weather may have deterred some people.
“The hot weather would have reduced the numbers, the exhibitors were keen to travel in the heat, but it may have reduced overall attendance.”
Exhibitors from as far away as Echuca and the Yarra Valley joined local vintage and steam enthusiasts to take part in the rally, Mr Barker said.
He said the annual event at the showgrounds had been taking place for more than 20 years.