Showcasing a staggering array of vintage machinery, the event drew participants and visitors from right across NSW and interstate.

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The Rally also provided the opportunity to buy and sell vintage collectibles, with the pavilion displaying a broad range of stalls and unique collections.

Now in its 27th year and considered a tradition in the Nambucca Valley, the Rusty Iron Rally’s biggest drawcard is the restored and working vintage engines, tractors and steam engines.

Organised by the Mid North Coast Machinery Restoration Club the event offers an educational experience for younger generations on just how essential much of this machinery was when it came to local industry, transport and farming.

“We have machinery on display here that is well over 100 years old, manufactured at a time when things were made to last, unlike the throw away society we have today,” Jim Cameron OAM from the Mid North Coast Machinery Restoration Club told News Of The Area.

“One of the issues with these machines is that, although they run well once restored, we are losing the older blokes with the expertise on the complex repairs such as magnetos and, naturally, spare parts are very hard to come by.”

Inside the Showgrounds pavilion a number of displays not likely to be seen elsewhere also kept attendees enthralled.

Among the displays was a collection of vintage telephones, from some of the earliest to those that were phased out with the onset of mobile phones.

The owner of the collection, Noel Coombee from Casino, had also constructed a working telephone exchange from scratch that he was more than happy to demonstrate.

Another crowd favourite was a large display from the Historical Radio Society of Australia, who have several members here in the Nambucca Valley.

By Mick BIRTLES