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The Things We Do...

There are many different events that members involve themselves in throughout the year. The club magazine has details of these events and they are held in all areas throughout Australia.

Some of the favorite events for members are the ones where they are able to show off their restoration skills to the public by putting tractors and equipment on display at country shows, field days and steam rallies.  Members also like to drive their tractors around the place on outings called "tractor treks".  These treks can be a day or two in duration, but can also be much longer.  Every two years a major trek is conducted which is usually  a month in duration and may cover hundreds, if not thousands of kilometers. You may have seen media coverage of these treks which have included central Australia, Cape York, The great central road and Conney Sue Highways, the Dig Tree, The Flinders Ranges and more recently The Queensland Channel Country

Club members also enjoy using their equipment in the way that Harry Ferguson intended, particularly in ploughing events and the like.

Upcoming Events,2024
More details for each event nearer the dates

DATE                    REGION               DELEGATE                 EVENT BRIEF
2023                    
November 12th           Yarra Valley                   Vern Finlay                 Yarra Glen racecourse Historic Vehicle                                                                                                                      Display  0400 627 766
November 19th           Leongatha                     Ed Browning               Leongatha area Trek, lunch Mirboo Nth
                                                                                                                  0437 185 874
December 3drd           Gippsland                      Russel Sanders          Christmas Lunch Yallourn Nth Coal 
                                                                             Doc  Carpenter            Museum   BYO bar-b-que 0418 549 499
  2024    
January 6th                 Wonthaggi                     Russell Sanders          Static Display Wonthaggi Show
                                                                            John Harris                   0438 635 286
February 3rd and 4th       Warragul                  Merv Watson                Lardner Park Heritage Truck and 
                                                                             Steve Humphrey         Vehicle Display 0427 394 305
January 13th& 14th   Geelong                          TBD                               Geelong Classic Truck & Machinery                                                                                                                           show
February TBD             French Island                 Russell Sanders          Trek around French Island 0418549499
March 9,10 & 11th     Melbourne                      Vern Finlay                    Scoresby Steam Fest 
                                                                                                                    1200 Ferntree Gully Road 0400627766
March 16th & 17th    Ballan                               TBD                                Fergy Fire Up Wallace Rec. Reserve
March 16th & 17th    Korumburra                     Steve Humphries         Working horse and Machinery rally
                                                                                                                      Steve 0427 394 305 
April 20                       Warragul                         Steve Humphries           Grand Ridge Road Trek, 0427 394 305
April 26,27 & 28th     Deniliquin                         TBD                                NHMA National Tractor Rally
May 18th & 19 th       Gippsland                         Steveh Humphries       Heyfield Steam Rally and Tractor Trek
                                                                                                                      Steve  0427 394 305
 June TBD                   Echuca                             Darryl Whately             Steam Rally
                                                                              David Ralton
 

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Murray River Trek August 2024

I am happy to report that at this stage it looks like the proposed big HFTC trek along the Murray River is going ahead around mid-August of 2024.  It is intended to start the trek in Corryong and Finish at Wellington in South Australia where the Murray runs in to Lake Alexandria.  I have been in touch with club members along the route to work out the best routes for the trek though their areas.  The list local coordinators involved is still being finalised, but at this stage includes Alan (aka Doc) Carpenter with Trigg working out the route from the source of the Murray to Corowa, Ron Cotteril sorting out the section from Corowa to Yarrawonga. Merv Smith will be taking over and sorting the route from Yarrawonga to Barmah, then I will be handling the route from Barmah to Barham.  Darryl Whately will pick up the section from Barham to Robinvale, then Danny Lee will lead us through the Lake Hattah National Park then up along the Murray to the South Australian border.  Ken and Judy Vorwerk will take over from there and figure out a way for us to safely get to Wellington.

No doubt we will be having rest days at the various towns along the way to check out the local sights, but over-all the trek could last up to four weeks.  Unlike our other large treks, we are encouraging local members along the way to join in for as long as they like, you would be most welcome.  Those doing the full trek will need to work out the best way to manage their support vehicles and trailers as the we will not be returning to the starting point on this trek.

Participants will be required to fill out a Health Information sheet that they will hand in a sealed envelop to the trek coordinator at the commencement of the trek.  It will only be opened in the case of a medical emergency and otherwise returned unopened at the conclusion of the trek.  We will also have a defibrillator & comprehensive first aid kit on this trek.  Those doing the full trek will be required to have UHF radios on their tractors which must also be registered (club plates are ok) and in sound mechanical condition. A check list is available to help you ensure it is mechanically ready for the trek.  Participants will also be required to be self-sufficient in terms of fuel and supplies, although on this trek availability of supplies etc is not a major issue.

We are in the early stages of planning for this trek and as this is bedded down updates will be provided in the next few editions of Fergytalk.  IF you are interested in participating, please let me know.  My contract details are: Ph: 03 5449 6497  m: 0427 496 497  email: rpsjwilson@hotmail.com.

Bob Wilson

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