The village's town crier Lee Martin has already taken to the streets and muster committee members have been on the phone spreading the word.

The launch for next April's muster was staged in the Bendemeer Hall at the

weekend.

Grey Fergie Tractor committee member Winston Doak recited a poem penned about his beloved tractor, while local junior performer Ben Hazell sang Marion Reid's tribute to the fergies.

The Toast to the Grey Fergie calendar was also released.

Mr Doak explained the muster, from April 4 to April 6, celebrates 70 years since the first Grey Ferguson was built and 55 years since the tractor's Australian release.

"The muster will attempt to break the existing world record of more than 200 Ferguson tractors and the Australian record, a gathering of more than 123 tractors in the one location at the one time," Mr Doak said.

The grey fergie became a highly revered tractor shortly after its revolutionary introduction to rural industries post World War II.

Historically, it played a significant part in the lead-up to the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and was instrumental in aiding Sir Edmund Hillary to reach the South Pole in 1958.

Mr Doak said tractors from Yankalilla on the Flurieu Peninsula in South Australia, Foster in Victoria, Murwillumbah, Goulburn and southern Queensland were expected to attend.

The event, which will benefit the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, is open to all Ferguson TEA Series, 35's, Ford Fergusons and other Massey Ferguson

tractors.

A Bush Poets' Breakfast on the Macdonald River, quality entertainment and a search for a Miss Fergie

competition will also be

highlights.

For a copy of the calendar go to www.fergietractor muster.org.au.