NOWRA SHOW - 6th/7th & 8th FEBRUARY 2014 - Report.
"Happy Birthday Anne" was the theme for the weekend, as Anne Moore, my right hand lady, was celebrating her birth date.
We headed off early on Thursday morning, trying to beat the oppressive heat that had been swamping the state. Heading south, we knew it would be cooler. Weeks of 40 plus has seen our local water storage drop from 112% in September 2013, to 24% at this point in time. Our storage dam, Lake Burrendong, is 3 ½ times that of Sydney Harbour.
We arrived in Nowra Showground almost 7 ½ hrs later and met up with the Vella family. Here we met our hosts, the Shoalhaven Machinery Club, who had a fan and power at the ready. We unloaded our machines then headed off for some shopping, then to our camp at Swan Lake, near Sussex Inlet, for the next 4 days.
Our display consisted of my DH22, Matt and Andrew's Twelve, Junior and two other machines, and John Gray's 2000 Tractor. The Shoalhaven boys had an excellent showing which included a working hay baler.
Fluid intake was the main of the day, as the heat and humidity set in. Our hosts provided lunch and dinner on a gold coin donation basis.
Friday night, some of my rellos turned up, and we gave Anne a happy 61 years of age salute, enjoying the coolness of the evening. It was most pleasant walking around the lake's edge, at times dipping our footsies in.
For John and myself, we had events we were not ready for. John picked up a load of bad diesel, and with the help of a diesel mechanic who came in right at the end, we solved the problem. It took most of the day test after test, but we found the issue. It seemed as though the diesel had been watered down with some sort of spirit, for it had little smell, and when you wiped it off your hands, it went white. Probably white spirits or some sort of kero. Not good anyway! Made the day go faster though. For me, my trailer brakes kept locking on, so when I travelled home, I disconnected them for a smooth ride.
The downside of this event was the people (crowd). They just did not turn out. Maybe the heat kept them away. Even the organisers were not happy about it. Friday was schoolies day, with hundreds of school students coming through and asking many a question. They and their teachers were delighted to see our good old Australian products. This was also a chance to catch up with some local Howard people who had rung to say they were coming out to see us. Took some memberships as well.
To all involved from both Organisations, I thank you for your efforts and look forward to seeing you around the traps.
February 2015 might see us at Crookwell Show. Organising starts now.
Next stop Wellington Vintage Fair and Swap Meet on 2nd March.
MACKSVILLE REPORT - 2016
To say Macksville was different would be an undertone. The display itself was great, the organisation was not crash hot to start with, and being the guest display was not much help, for they knew nothing of our attendance. Two weeks out from the event, I had to push a few buttons to get things done, but upon arrival by Register members, before I turned up, they were treated as "We know nothing of your participation", right up to the president. The acknowledgement of January 6th went missing and the week's before got lost as well. But on Saturday morning at 6a.m, a call to the Secretary got things rolling. With a big help from member of not only the Register but the host Club Bruce Edwards, things started to happen. A quick pow wow was held, our area needed sorting out and down came the fences. Even the Chamberlain boys did not know what happened for they too wanted our space. Not a chance!!! That all sorted out, up went the shades, out came the generator and cuppa gear, and we went about sorting out our huge display.
Our weekend was an adventurous one as both the Vella family and myself had the idea of loading up a lot of rotary hoes and my tractor. But a phone call a week earlier changed all that, and we travelled up with one load only and two empty trailers. The Vella family set off from Sydney and myself from Wellington with our destination being Tamworth. You see the Bennett family had decided to sell their three-wheeler and Ford powered DH22. Matt bought the 3-wheeler and myself the DH22. All up some 14 hours of travelling with two tiny tots in tow, we arrived a bit tired at Nambucca Heads for a well-earned rest.
Saturday, as I stated earlier, was interesting to say the least, and we met up with local Tom Maxwell, who due to illness had not been seen for some time. We had a huge roll up of 2000's and Kelpies including 7 walk behind hoes in another area, Matts restored Junior and of course the machines we had picked up. Then a hydraulic 2000 turned up. A grand parade was held and videoed by Shane's daughter, Brooke, as part of proceedings. The swap meet gave up some goodies with Shane and I purchasing some fishing gear for his daughter to do a spot during the night. Most relaxing after a hard day.
Sunday saw the crowds roll in. We were inundated with requests with the 3-wheeler being the center of attention. After all it was a well-known local through Ray Bennett. Then came the Grand parade. "But wait a minute," says the President, would the Howards like to do their own thing with myself as commentator? A quick word to everyone. Peter Robinson, who travelled all the way from Victoria, organised the line up and away they went. One by one each member and their machine was introduced, and they gave a brief talk about themselves and their machines. All were very happy. Most left to go home on Sunday, but myself and Anne, along with the Vella family and Peter Robinson decided to take it easy and head off on Monday.
At this point I would like to thank all for attending and make special mention of Peter Robinson's huge effort from Victoria and John Gray of Crookwell. I look forward to our next Gathering of Howards. There is the grand talk of a trip to Victoria. Just have to work out when and what large display we should attend. Bendigo Swap Meet is the first to come to mind. So come on our Victorian members. Let's have some input and volunteer to help out. A photo gallery will be available shortly and video.
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The DUBBO TRUCK & TRACTOR SHOW - 2015 held on Saturday, 13th August at Dubbo Showground was well attended by Register Members. It was good to catch up with the Mildren Family out of Corryong, Victoria, and the magnificent DH226, as well as Stuart Rowe's Family and their Howard Yeoman. Bill Douglas travelled down from Newcastle. Matthew, Andrew, Melissa and kids came up from Sydney, plus a couple of locals. Anne Moore won a UHF Radio during the many mystery prize draws.
Unfortunately, the camera died, so to see what all the fuss is about, you have to look up the Golden Oldies Truck Club website. Thank you to one and all for attending. We now look to Macksville. HAPPY HOWARDING... Robert.
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COLAC HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Colac VIC, February 3rd/4th was the place to be. Like Matthew Vella, John Gray, Anne and I spent long hours on a scenic drive to this event. The last 60 kilometres took almost an hour plus due to the "Down Under Bike Ride" and road works.
What a delight it was on Saturday to see close to 50 Machines on display, and the amount of attention Matt's 3 wheeled Morris powered "A16" Rotary Hoe attracted, as centre stage.
It was most pleasing to meet up with, not only Register members and their machines, but Register members and enthusiasts who paid us a visit. It is always great to put a face to a name.
Saturday night saw us at the Colac RSL Club, as we had ventured there the night before. Register members, visitors to the display and the Colac Heritage Display Committee, attended a dinner as a surprise, to honour Anne Moore who turned 65. She was most thrilled, and the kind words expressed at the dinner, towards one another, put the icing on the cake.
Unfortunately, for the display overall, the General Public was an issue over the two days. If you want to meet a group of Howard enthusiasts who put in the hard yards, this event is one not to miss.
My thanks go out to all who chose to be a part of this event.
(Pictures can be viewed in the GALLERY: RALLY Photos, pages 9 - 10.)
IRONFEST - LITHGOW, NSW (April 2018)
On the 21st and 22nd of April 2018, my wife and I attended the Lithgow Annual Ironfest. We were greeted with an array of medieval stalls and military vehicles, quite different to what we expected, given the name Ironfest.
We were dedicated an area and so set up our display of five Howard rotary hoes and my Kelpie, all with implements ranging from several sickle mowers, including one for my Mark 2 Junior, a slasher for the Terrier and a push blade, single furrow plough and trailer for the Kelpie.
The display proved quite popular with people discussing all manner of interest in how they worked, and many young people astonished that they all were in running order, even though they looked as though they would not work.
Many older folks remembered their parents or family neighbours owning a Howard, and many had pet names for them like"DIZZIE", which the gentleman explained, as that was how his father felt after trying to start an old machine.
All in all the weekend was very fulfilling and our display, although meagre, compared to others was well received and greatly appreciated.
My wife Victoria, began to embrace the whole concept of Steampunk and the Medieval themes, the jousting and other such events, and has suggested that we pay another visit next year. (Story by JOHN GRAY - Pictures can be viewed in the GALLERY: RALLY Photos, page 8.)