A GROUP of vintage tractor enthusiasts have clocked up 650 kilometres after joining together in a unique tour, celebrating the region’s rich farming history.
Rathscar farmer John Hanley planned and co-ordinated the trip, which saw participants tour the silo art trail.
The seven-day tour took participants through a number of small towns, including Wycheproof, Sea Lake, Patchewollock, Hopetoun, Warracknabeal and Rupanyup, and incorporated visits to local museums and private farm collections.
Mr Hanley said 22 like-minded people from New South Wales and Victoria set off on 15 vintage tractors, which dated back to the 1950s, with the collection including Chamberlain, Fendt, and Bulldog models.
“Some of them are in better condition than the blokes on them,” Mr Hanley laughed.
Having taken part in a number of other tractor tours in the past, including the Two Rivers Tractor Trek which raises money for motor neurone disease, Mr Hanley organised his tour to simply “fill a gap”.
“It was a resounding success,” Mr Hanley said. “We had a lot of fun.”
Heading off the beaten track, Mr Hanley said they spent a good percentage of the tour on the back roads, crossing over the Henty, Sunraysia and Calder highways when necessary.
“We had a couple of hiccups along the way and a few breakdowns, but every tractor was able to complete the journey.”
Mr Hanley said there were many highlights throughout the tour, including a stop at the Wycheproof nursing home where residents enjoyed viewing the vintage tractor collection, with many former farmers among the group.
“They really enjoyed having a look at the tractors and it was nice to be able to put a smile on their face,” Mr Hanley said.
While rain impacted the trip, it did little to dampen their spirits as participants forged on, enjoying the opportunity to explore new sites and form new friendships.
“You get to see some things that you would never see if you were in a motor car,” Mr Hanley said.
“We are often asked if we hold the traffic up and my response is definitely not – we travel the same speed as the cars following us.”
Following the success of the tour, Mr Hanley said he hadn’t ruled out organising another one in the near future, noting there was already lots of interest.
However, for the time being the farmer was settling back into farm life and preparing to sow this year’s crop, which includes canola, wheat, barley and oats.
