Thousands attend 27th annual Rusty Iron Rally at Macksville Showgrounds Nambucca Valley Nambucca Valley - popup ad Nambucca Valley News Photo Gallery by News Of The Area - Modern Media - September 6, 2024 David Elington from Toowoomba on a vintage Farmall 100 tractor. THE 27th annual Rusty Iron Rally attracted huge crowds to the Macksville Showgrounds over the Father’s Day weekend to experience all of the excitement and nostalgia that is unique to this special event. Showcasing a staggering array of vintage machinery, the event drew participants and visitors from right across NSW and interstate. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au 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 Some of the demonstrations were for entertainment value rather than practical purposes. Jim Cameron OAM, who owns and maintains a number of the vintage engines on display at the Rally. Graham Green of Bonville considers himself a “picker and collector” and used the event to sell on some of his collection. Sue Stevenson of Wallabadah with her personal collection of vintage sewing machines. Ross McMaster, Ron Fitzpatrick and Morrie Carlton from the Historical Radio Society of Australia. Noel Coombee from Casino with his collection of vintage telephones and working telephone exchange. Rubin Wallice, Emma Rogers and Robert Ward of the Macksville and District Poultry Club. Jeff Palmer and Sharron Wesseon from Little Wings.
