A GREAT TREE GROWS FROM A SMALL SEED....
The Kingaroy & District Vintage Machinery Club Inc. was founded on the 21st October 1997.
Early in September 1997, following a call from Graham Reed who was organising a vintage machinery display at Kumbia, Duncan Rackemann called a meeting for all interested parties in the Kingaroy Museum and it was on this night, the 21st October 1997, the club was born with 15 foundation members.
The club extends it thanks and recognises the tremendous efforts of the late Colin Staier and Graham Peterson as well as Doug Peterson, Cliff Hood, Glady Hood and many others who gave their energy to build the framework of the club from that small start.
Successive years have seen the club grow with its first formal outing at the Kingaroy show in 1998 showcasing 20 vintage machinery exhibits from members.
In late 1998 the club was granted its incorporation which, even in those days of no computers, no internet and no smart phones, was a dead set paperwork nightmare but we got through it all. Kevin Woods was a big help in this space. Thanks Kev.
Using good old fashioned Aussie initiative the club decided to approach the local Council not long after to see if they would let the club use some vacant land to grow crops and develop an income for the club to pay its bills and grow (pun intended).
The Council thought that was a cracker of an idea and gave the club some land on lease next to the airport in the same year for cropping.
In those early years it was the efforts of members such as Bill McLennen, Jeff Barbeler and Graham Peterson that really kick started the farm income side of things and the Peterson Brothers were also big movers and shakers in supporting members and the club.
Early club rally events were held at the Coolabunia School and then progressed to the popular Kumbia Sports Ground up until 2013, when the annual rally event was moved to the new Kingaroy club grounds at the airport precinct.
With the growing interest in tractor pulling in Australia, the club built its first vintage tractor pull sled in late 2004 and this has only sparked greater interest and participation in the sport of vintage tractor pulling.
Following many years of growth the club was successful in late 2012 in securing a long term lease agreement with the South Burnett Council for a larger acreage block of land next to Kingaroy Airport, adding onto the existing cropping land.
Many people have been mentioned throughout our journey but it has to be mentioned and recognised the tireless efforts of a few members namely, Tim Smith, Andrew Rackemann, Bluey Newton, the "Hood" gang, Matt Lonsdale and a few others along the way who turn up time after time to put the yards into supporting the club.
Well done guys and girls.
Early in September 1997, following a call from Graham Reed who was organising a vintage machinery display at Kumbia, Duncan Rackemann called a meeting for all interested parties in the Kingaroy Museum and it was on this night, the 21st October 1997, the club was born with 15 foundation members.
The club extends it thanks and recognises the tremendous efforts of the late Colin Staier and Graham Peterson as well as Doug Peterson, Cliff Hood, Glady Hood and many others who gave their energy to build the framework of the club from that small start.
Successive years have seen the club grow with its first formal outing at the Kingaroy show in 1998 showcasing 20 vintage machinery exhibits from members.
In late 1998 the club was granted its incorporation which, even in those days of no computers, no internet and no smart phones, was a dead set paperwork nightmare but we got through it all. Kevin Woods was a big help in this space. Thanks Kev.
Using good old fashioned Aussie initiative the club decided to approach the local Council not long after to see if they would let the club use some vacant land to grow crops and develop an income for the club to pay its bills and grow (pun intended).
The Council thought that was a cracker of an idea and gave the club some land on lease next to the airport in the same year for cropping.
In those early years it was the efforts of members such as Bill McLennen, Jeff Barbeler and Graham Peterson that really kick started the farm income side of things and the Peterson Brothers were also big movers and shakers in supporting members and the club.
Early club rally events were held at the Coolabunia School and then progressed to the popular Kumbia Sports Ground up until 2013, when the annual rally event was moved to the new Kingaroy club grounds at the airport precinct.
With the growing interest in tractor pulling in Australia, the club built its first vintage tractor pull sled in late 2004 and this has only sparked greater interest and participation in the sport of vintage tractor pulling.
Following many years of growth the club was successful in late 2012 in securing a long term lease agreement with the South Burnett Council for a larger acreage block of land next to Kingaroy Airport, adding onto the existing cropping land.
Many people have been mentioned throughout our journey but it has to be mentioned and recognised the tireless efforts of a few members namely, Tim Smith, Andrew Rackemann, Bluey Newton, the "Hood" gang, Matt Lonsdale and a few others along the way who turn up time after time to put the yards into supporting the club.
Well done guys and girls.