Road transport history will continue to be preserved through the activities of historic commercial vehicle clubs and associations around Australia and one of the most active is that operating in Queensland. The Association boasts a large membership and an incredible array of restored vehicles so the 2011 Annual Truck and Machinery Show
and Mack Muster required a larger venue to allow the best possible display of equipment from days gone by.
The Association chose Gatton Showgrounds, in the heart of the produce rich Lockyer Valley, as its new home. The choice was simple due to the fact Gatton is a town acutely aware of the need for trucks and road transport, with the local Lockyer Valley Shire Council supporting the industry, establishing a transport museum and promoting the Lights on the Hill Truck and Bus Drivers’ Memorial. Gatton is a very truck friendly town and the HCVA show attracted a large number of local people as well as participants from across the country.
Lockyer Valley Mayor, Steve Jones, is a man with trucking in his blood and at the show he remarked on the enormous interest the 18th annual HCVAQ Truck and Machinery Show created.
“We welcome the event to Gatton and recognise the outstanding effort put into staging the event,” he said. “The organisers have done a fantastic job and the result is a large contingent of people from interstate as well as a huge number of local people coming along to look at road transport history.”
The Mack Muster was an attempt to break the Australian record for the largest number of Mack trucks assembled in one place. The previous record was set at Colac in Victoria with 78 trucks, but Gatton attracted 135 Macks coming from as far away as Tasmania to participate.
Most Mack models were on display including a large contingent of the limited edition Bicentennial Super-Liner released in 1988. Added to this were many examples of the legendary B Model and even NR and EH models, tracing the history of the Bulldog breed in this country.
Around 250 commercial vehicles, tractors and cars were on display for enthusiasts who attended in large numbers and the show saw many current road transport operators attend to look at history preserved. A highlight of the event was a grand parade featuring some of the best restored vehicles in the country, on show to a packed showground with a number of awards presented.
The Gatton venue was highly successful and plans are already underway to stage the event at the same location in 2012.
.jpg){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
