It may be a slow way to get to Bendemeer, but it’s sure to stop traffic for all the right reasons.
The sixth Grey Fergie Tractor Muster and Land Rover Gathering will be held on this weekend on March 17 and 18, with over 100 tractors expected to converge in the village.
Event organiser Winston Doak said the triennial event, which draws people from as far south as Bendigo and as far north as Brisbane, was as much a celebration of agriculture as it was a catch up with old friends.
“There’s not much an old faithful tractor can’t do, and they are a crucial part of farming,” Mr Doak said.
“Many of the tractors at the event have come straight off the farm, others are treasured vintage pieces.”
The Grey Fergie was manufactured between 1946 and 1959, and the muster seeks to celebrate the important role it has played in agricultural history.
“They’re grey because it was the cheapest colour to produce post WWII,” Mr Doak said.
“They had the first three-point linkage system manufactured by Harry Ferguson, which makes it more mobile in small area farming.
“At Wentworth, on the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers, the little tractor was made famous when both rivers flooded in 1956 and a fleet of them went to work to build levee banks which saved the town.”
Land Rover also joins the convoy with models dating from series one onwards expected to be on display, marking the 70th anniversary of the production of the iconic vehicle.
There will be an exciting line-up of family friendly activities across the weekend, with machinery demonstrations, market stalls, tractor events, sheep shearing and live music.
But the main event is the grand parade, which revs into gear at 1pm on Saturday.
On Sunday at 8am, visitors are invited to enjoy a breakfast with entertainment featuring performances from Two Gals and bush poetry.
Admission is $5, while children under 16 get in for free.
