The Mount Alexander Vintage Engine Club’s popular April Rally returns to the Dave Bennett Reserve at Muckleford this weekend.
The 28th annual Vintage Engine and Machinery Rally will highlight the HV McKay/Sunshine engine and the Ford/Forson Tractor.
The rally is always a great family day out and a chance to take a trip back into Australia’s mechanical past with working exhibitions, memorabilia and collectibles of yesteryear.
The Express caught up with the dedicated MAVEC crew last week as they worked to install a new permanent exhibit, which will be a real showpiece at the entrance to the MAVEC headquarters.
The Thompson & Co Engineers Vic No. 143 stamper battery, used to process potential gold bearing rock or gold ore, was constructed right here at Thompson’s Foundry Castlemaine (now Flowserve Castlemaine) in 1897.
This stamper was originally used in two working mines in Gippsland before it was moved to the local region as a potential exhibit at Carmen’s Tunnel at Maldon in the 1970s.
This never came to pass and it was later purchased by the Charlies Hope Gold Mine at Welshmans Reef.
The stamper has been kindly donated to the club and will sit in pride of place at the entrance to the reserve for many years to come as a lasting reminder of the region’s pioneering engineers and goldfields past.
“We hope to have the battery stamper operational in time to mark the 150th anniversary of Thompson’s Foundry (Flowserve) in October,” Stephen said.
Among the other machines on display will be a Sunshine Massey Harris Combine Harvester donated by a local farmer who used the rig to process his own English Heritage Red Flour seeds farmed at Newlan.
“He would harvest and mill the flour to make his own bread,” Stephen said.
Among the other working displays will be the club’s impressive 1930s J Smith Ballarat Chaff Cutter, and the renowned Chamberlain tractor – a hybrid of two different models which was built by local farmer Morrie Oxley.
MAVEC will also have its 1854 horse drawn Belgian Carousel operating which is sure to delight the young and young at heart.
There will also be jumping castles for the kids, tons of vintage and historic vehicle displays and lots more.
And the annual raffle always features some incredible prizes with funds raised assisting the friendly local club with their various restoration and rebuild projects.
Entry to this weekend’s event is just $5 for adults, children under 16 free.
Entry is free for exhibitors keen to bring their engine or tractor along to display and exhibitors receive a complimentary meal on the Saturday evening.
Gates are open 10am-5pm Saturday and 10am to 2.30pm Sunday.
The home of MAVEC at the Dave Bennett Reserve can be found right alongside the Muckleford Railway Station off Muckleford/Walmer Road.
