THE Rusty Iron Rally, due to take place from 4-5 September at the Macksville Showgrounds, has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“Plans have been well underway for this year’s event, being our 25th Annual Rally, which had to be put off last year due to Covid.

“Due to the outbreak of the current strain the Committee held a meeting on Sunday 18 July and decided it had no option other than to cancel,” said Elaine South.

Members have opted to proceed with an online ‘virtual’ rally on the Rusty Iron Rally Facebook page, so members and other potential exhibitors can show off their treasures.

The online event will still take place on the original Rally dates of 4-5 September.

“It is a huge disappointment for the club as the Rally is the biggest annual event in the Nambucca Valley, bringing exhibitors and spectators interested in old machinery, along with the history that goes with all this, from all over the country,” said Elaine.

“Every year different items are featured, this year is a special year with Ferguson Tractors celebrating 75 years, as well as displays of military vehicles, historical farm implements and hit and miss engines.”

The Rally has a reputation for being one of the noisiest events in the Nambucca Valley calendar. with all the old machinery in action, vying for attention.

Each year a charity is chosen to support with a considerable donation from the event’s proceeds.

This year the chosen organisation was the Westpac Helicopter Service, which has large running costs and is one of the most important life saving and rescue organisations here on the coast, often picking up injured people in remote and inaccessible locations.

“We can only hope that next year will be a more ‘normal’ year for everyone and we all can get back to getting on with our events,” Elaine said.