DOZENS of iconic four-wheeled mechanical workhorses rumbled through Bendemeer’s main street on Saturday for the fifth Grey Fergie Muster.
Fergie afficionados from near and far made the trek to celebrate the legacy of one of the most beloved pieces of farm equipment ever built.
The tractors, which were designed by Irish engineer Harry Ferguson, hold a special place in the hearts of primary producers right around the world.
The light-weight grey tractors, which were manufactured in England between 1946 and 1956, essentially replaced the draught horse on farms.
In 2003, to celebrate the 50th birthday of their own Fergie, Bendemeer farmers Winston and Anne Doak came up with the idea of a muster.
This year the triennial event attracted about 140 Fergies, including 10 whose owners made the two-and-half-day drive from the Coffs Harbour region.
Mrs Doak, who serves on the muster committee, said she was delighted with the turnout at this year’s event.
She said the passing years had not dulled people’s affection for the diminutive battleship-grey tractors.
“A lot of people have an association with them, from learning to drive on a Fergie tractor when they were growing up on the farm,” she said.
“And, of course, the Fergie tractors were the workhorse that took over from the draught horse after World War II.”
Mrs Doak said the committee, including president Michael Breedon and secretary-treasurer Greg Offord, had two years to decide whether to continue the tradition in 2018.
