Forward

In this history I have tried to show the foresight and drive that has brought us thirty years of Tracmach.
Also not forgetting those who are no longer with us who played a big part in the early days of this association.

Mention here must be made of Bob Lukins' drive in promoting Tracmach by attending shows and going to shopping centres with pamphlets advertising our association and displays.

When at the 2009 AGM someone suggested a history of the association be written and no-one spoke I volunteered but as I am not a writer I was very concerned on how to go about it. In trepidation the format following is what I came up with, I hope everyone will find it interesting.

My thanks to the following who either provided information or stories and or photographs Bob Lukins, Brian Bunker, Phil Wyndham, Hugh Cawdell, Brett Green, George Smith, Robert Cook, Allan and Shirley Jefferson, Lloyd Fowler, John Smith, Jo Heuvink, Vern and Pat Witney, Jim Creagh Gil Lullfitz, David Errey, Norm Pascoe and Julie Andrews. I wish to acknowledge the early newsletters and magazines from which I got much information. From cuttings sent to me from the Countryman and Wagin Argus if I have missed anyone please accept my thanks for your contribution.

Lastly my thanks to John Smith and Julie Errey for the editing and spelling check.

- Lesley Smith.

Vintage Tractor and Machinery Association of W.A.

Much to Bob's surprise quite a few did make contact, one a Kevin Martin who also told him of a Jesse Martin with a large collection. Bob could not understand why Kevin's wife should be interested in this field; you can imagine his red face! When he first met Jesse. (Jesse is Kevin's brother).

From records, I have found seven or eight letters from men interested in belonging to a restoration group one letter from Jim Creagh was found under a stone in the garden about a month later with a nicely weathered look (see left)

The inaugural meeting was called on October 28th 1981 held in the Wagin Fire Brigade Hall to gauge the interest in forming a state-wide association to preserve the farm machinery history of W.A. The following were present J Moyses, K Turnor, P Marley, B Badger, (Wagin) W Lee (Perth) J Martin, K Martin (Williams) C Avery (Busselton) R Lukins, G Justins (Kukerin).

It was decided to form an association with R Lukins to be Co-Ordinator. Mr Jack Moyes' suggestion of the name Vintage Tractor and Machinery Association and the logo “Tracmach” was adopted. The aims of the association will be to have a newsletter, swap spare parts, instruction books, display at field days. Veteran tractors - Pre War, Vintage Tractors - Post War

1982

At the Meeting held in the Pioneer Village, Wagin Woolorama March 1982 Bette had written in the minutes she recorded all the names she knew and in all there were 25 people in attendance, it was agreed to support the Wagin Woolorama and the Brookton Old Time Motor Show each year.

The Royal Agricultural Society got in touch wanting "Tracmach" to participate at the Royal Show in promotion of the history of agriculture.

A subscription of $10.00 was decided on. By now there were 31 members

It was also decided to send a questionnaire to all intending members re the proposal from the Vintage Car Club and the R.A.S.

At the meeting held at Jesse and Rae Martins the opening of a bank account was decided and Bette Lukins to be Secretary/Treasurer. Bob and Bette Lukins put out a newsletter whenever the need arose. In the minutes although the meeting said no to the Royal Agricultural Society suggestion to attend the Show the Co-ordinater R Lukins then received phone calls from members to change this suggestion and those that wanted to, to attend.

We had eleven tractors there and they paraded three times a day and the R.A.S. paid $220 to offset freight they also supplied office sites for accommodation

Early in 1983 Bob Lukins in his newsletter reported on the first visit of vintage tractors at the 1982 Royal Show.
I have abbreviated it slightly: It can only be called a great success and a good time was had by all.

"We had use of two enclosures the harness people had used. We had plenty of room with the tractors in one enclosure, a caravan and vehicles in the other. The RAS supplied two site offices with power which we used for meals and sleeping. Hot showers were available on the grounds. We had eleven tractors parading morning, afternoon and night. The “old girls” performed remarkably well, apart from a few boiling occasionally and running out of petrol. Of course we had our problems, the loading ramp was some distance from our enclosure and wasn't accessible to the larger trucks and we had to make alternative arrangements. Some of the untrained horses in the ring didn't like the popping tractors and that caused the elite gentry to forget their manners. We had a few problems with George using his Massey Pacemaker as a general taxi around the ground and conning the young girls for a lift etc.etc. Thanks to Des Gaze of the RAS who made it possible. He also managed to squeeze $220.00 out of the RAS to offset freight costs. Eddy Rigg of the Fremantle Museum presented the commentary over the public address during our parades"

During the formative years of the club some members have told of how they were drawn into the saving and restoring "old" things

Story from Phil Wyndham: My first visit to Kukerin “Tracmach”Show,1982 is memorable for two reasons. I stayed overnight at the Kukerin pub. When I got to bed, the centre dropped down about a foot, so no matter what I did I stayed in the same place. Needless to say I did not have a very good night's sleep. At the show next day I met the late Gordon Bristow from Narembeen. He gave me a photograph of one of W.A. Hedges 1915 Holt “Caterpillar” 60 tractors, and told me Hedges had two of them and a bit of the history. He later gave me another photo of Hedges Holt. I have been fascinated ever since by these and other early Holt “Caterpillars” working in W.A.

Brian Bunker's story of how he became involved with Tracmach:

How it all began for me as a kid. My first interest in old machines started when I visited our then neighbour Norm Bunker across the road. He was always messing about with engines, he had a Chev 4 and Massey Harris 20K, which he dismantled. He also played about with electricity and Meccano or (Buzz). I couldn't get enough of it, everything he had was interesting, still is. As a teenager old vintage cars and trucks took my fancy, but the most interesting of all was the steam traction engines in the Meccano magazines I'd subscribed to for many years. I still have all these magazines. It was all model steam engines and meccano until after I left school. I then worked on the old family farm at Yarding in the Bruce Rock Shire. In the scrap heap was the remains of a “T”model Ford which over weeks of spare time I gathered together and a year later, with other bits and pieces it was running again. Neville Bunker and I joined the Albany Branch of the Veteran Car Club Of W.A., but the old “T: wasn't up to road work and with national service looming it all went into the shed. I still have the “T”. After the Vietnam experience, back home, I saw a McCormick Deering 10-20 at my Uncle Bill's place. He let me have it and in no time I had it running again. My friend Dudley Smith shared my passion of old tractors and I think it was he or John Oldfield, my landlord at the time said he had heard some bloke talking on the radio talking about starting a Vintage Tractor club, and thought his name was Bob Lucas from Dumbleyung or Kukerin or somewhere up that way. Well over the next six or eight months I tried to track this man down to no avail, finally one night I rang inquiries and in those days you actually talked to someone. Anyway the girl was most helpful and searched about and finally said “we don't have any Lucas in Kukerin but we have a Lukins at Merillup” “please give me the number I'll give it a go”. I got Bob straight away and a half hour call resulted. I invited Bob to come down to the Mt Barker Machinery Field Day which was in its second or third year and needed more attractions. The previous year a couple of my friends and I had four tractors at the Field day and we had very encouraging comments made. Bob came down bringing his Emerson-Brantingham on a trailer. We met face to face for the first time. Bob told us of the beginnings of a tractor club which seemed to have enough interested people to go ahead. He also mentioned a couple of men down this way who had already made contact, Cliff Williams and George Smith, later to become good friends. Shortly after Bob held a Vintage Machinery day on his farm, which I went to, well I couldn't believe the crowd of people there. Possibly a couple of hundred or more. Video cameras were the new toy at that time and there were dozens of them, all taking shots of old machinery in action. and so began my involvement in Tracmach.

More information from Phil Wyndham

Des Gaze, an R.A.S. councillor was instrumental in “Tracmach” putting on its first display of vintage tractors, stationary engines etc., at the Royal Show. He had great difficulty in convincing other R.A.S councillors of the merits of such a display, but they agreed to give it a trial run...
Members had 11 tractors on display and doing three parades a day, morning afternoon and at night time. The main arena was very large at that time and several events were usually taking place in the same time. When horses were present at the same time as parades, some took fright at the noise created by the old girls. The R.A.S. provided two transportables, one was used as a mess hut etc., and the other as a bunk house. The show was a great success and Des Gaze even managed to convince the R.A.S. to sponsor "Tracmach" for $220 towards freight costs.

1983

At the general meeting held in March Des Gaze presented Jesse Martin with the Royal Ag. Society's sash for the best restored Tractor at last year's Show, Des went on to report that improvements were planned. The first working committee was formed and the members are J Martin, R Sprigg, N Bates, A Jefferson, K Turnor, and Co-ordinater Bob Lukins.

The first Annual General Meeting was held in August 1983 at Kukerin. The following from Co-ordinater's report. "This is the second year since our first meeting and the member's numbers are growing"

A President was elected for the first time with Bob Lukins being President and Bette Lukins as Secretary/ Treasurer.

As exhibits were going to the Royal Show, Bob Lukins was to drive his 55DA Chamberlain to Wagin and Kevin Turnor was going to drive Bob Lukins Chamberlain from Wagin to the Royal Show grounds with Norm Bates driving his K.L. Bulldog towing on a trailer his 1926 John Deere from Bencubbin via Kellerberrin to the Show grounds. All arrived safely and with the other exhibits had 3 successful days. It was about this time that the following comment was heard “That it might be a must to restore stationery engines as they are much easier to transport to display days!!”

Norm had a story to tell about that journey, as he was going down the Eastern Highway the horses, cows and sheep were so startled that they ran in the opposite direction, they had not heard or seen a Bulldog tractor before, on reaching the bottom of Greenmount the tractor got cold so stopped and Norm had to angle it into the side to help the brakes and get his blow lamp out to reheat the bulb and so re-start the engine ( these tractors were known as a hot bulb start) this was all done with traffic rushing past.

In August 1983 Norm Bates called a meeting at his house in Welbungin to gauge interest in forming a Vintage Tractor Club in the Wheatbelt after attending a meeting with the Kukerin members and from this the Central Wheatbelt Vintage Tractor Club was formed. and members interacted by attending the Royal Show starting in 1983.

Name discs were first discussed and it was moved that we have a constitution and have it registered. The idea of a magazine was mooted. At these meetings it was often that requests from Shows and organisations for “us” to attend their events were received. Members did the best they could to go and so spread the word about Tracmach.

Phil Wyndham “It was around this time that Bob Lukins asked me to represent Tracmach on what was then called the Blacksmith committee chaired by Des Gaze, who was patron of Tracmach for many years. This was way back in 1983-84. Initially I basically acted as liaison between the R.A.S. and Tracmach but, slowly this changed to more than just being an R.A.S. committee member with regard to machinery heritage. The committee changed name several times, eventually becoming the Heritage Committee. The chairman of the committee changed every couple of years, and for many years there was little progress. Eventually the R.A.S started putting money into developing the Heritage Museum at the Showgrounds. I remained on the committee until circa 2000, when I began to spend considerable periods in England, and felt that I could no longer contribute much to the committee. One or two Perth branch members, and Tractor Museum of W.A. members assist with the Heritage section at the Showgrounds throughout the year and at Perth Royal Show time.”

Bob and Bette Lukins held a Vintage field day on their farm and Bob was thrilled with the interest shown unfortunately the TV crew did not turn up and according to Bob they (TV) found the Avon Descent was more entertaining. Hope to carry on the field day again next year. At the B.B.Q. lunch a few anxious moments arose when the B.B.Q chimney exploded

1984

At the '84 A.G.M held at Mardela It was moved that Phil Wyndham draw up a constitution for the member's perusal, public insurance and judging card was mentioned. Bert Abbot was approached to be commentator for parades at the Royal Show. Phil Wyndham said he had done some and definitely he commentated the 1989 Centenary of Tractors and Eddy Rigg had commentated in the first year, over the years there have been other commentators, names coming to mind are Jim Creagh, Lesley Smith, Jo Heuvink.

Bob advised the meeting that Bencubbin had formed a branch. Norm Bates was elected President and John Smith as Secretary/Treasurer. They kept in contact with Kukerin members by way of a news sheet put out by the then secretary John Smith as was necessary,

“Tracmach” members had 22 tractors and 8-10 stationary engines plus other static displays at the Perth Royal show. Once again the display was a great success. Bob Lukins via a friend in Kukerin was able to make contact with Ian Burston, Managing Director of Hamersley Iron Pty., Ltd., from 1982 - 1986. Ian was very enthusiastic and arranged for Hamersley Iron to sponsor us $1,000 towards travelling costs for members taking tractors to the Perth Royal Show in 1984 & $2,000 in 1985.The money was split 2/3rds to members to offset freight costs and 1/3rd to “Tracmach”. Ian Burston was transferred from W.A. in 1986 and we lost our sponsorship.

1985

There was a great line up of tractors at the Brookton Old Time Motor show which was excellent.

At the A.G.M. held in York in August a patron for the association was suggested so it was moved that Des Gaze be approached, Des was a councillor on the RAS and helped with Tracmach problems at the Royal show. In the financial statement $200.00 was raised at Bob Lukins' field day by ladies selling cups of tea.

The constitution was now available and the Association is now an incorporated body. The number of members has risen to 67 but as this includes family I feel that is an approximate figure. The annual subscriptions were raised to $15.00 The first lot of bumper stickers were ordered. It was during these years that ongoing dialogue with the Royal Agricultural Society with regard to fencing engines, parking of trucks and camping in the grounds (which was allowed in the Old Tank yard near the Ashton Street entrance for a few years, in the last year of camping the caravans were put near the Log Chop arena).

Chamberlain John Deere has donated a Gas Producer which is to remain the property of the Association as per motion Norm Bates is caretaker.

It was during this period that several magazines were subscribed to. In Peter Eades report on the Royal show his news letter mentions of a very generous donation of a $50 trophy by Col and Lorna Justins. To be awarded annually to a member for the most dedication and expertise spent in restoring their machine.

At the Royal Show Rod Sprigg was awarded the “Justins“ Trophy A list of the winners at the Royal were Tractors

Prior to 1934 J Martins Crossley 1st, R Lukins Munktells 2nd, J Smith Fordson Blue 3rd.

After 1934 M Nolan John Deere 1st, A Abbott Farmall 2nd, Track Type Tractors P Eades Lloyd, 1st J Creagh Ransomes, 2nd V Witney 2 ton Holt 3rd

Stationery Engines R Sprigg 8 H.P. International 1st, R Sprigg Austral 2nd, R Sprigg International 3rd

In the same News Letter mention is made of a display put on in York, from the letter I have, it seems that Jim Harwood may have had something to do with some of the arrangements and appeared to be pleased with the performance and show of tractors. The tractors seemed to have had a go with the No Bull Pull Meter. Does this stir up any memories?????

Phil Wyndham took over as editor of the news letter which at first, came out five times a year this took the weight off Bob and Bette

Taken from News letter October 1985 is the following where it was mentioned that as the President of the R.A.S. Peter Carter had witnessed the shambles of unloading the tractors, a loading ramp was promised. Some stories from the same newsletter Apparently Graham Nolan found it necessary to put all the horses of his Johnnie (tractor) in the new stable at 10.30 one night even put the pole across the front to stop it getting out.
Mind you some of us don't always know who we are talking too as Jim Creagh found out after spending 15 mins trying to talk the Governor into buying his Ford Fergie. Jim would have sold it, but would not take a cheque!!!!!

1986

At the A.G.M. held at Buckland's House, Irishtown on a very cool day. Judy Ashfold became the new secretary/treasurer.

Central Wheatbelt Division became affiliated with the Incorporated body and at a meeting held in September'86 that Central Wheatbelt join as separate members with a re-imbursement from the “Main” association so they could run their own branch.

Phil Wyndham introduced the new A5 size magazine with 4 issues per year. More on magazine in later chapters.

Whiteman Park requested suggestions and guidance on running a Vintage farm. Unfortunately or fortunately this never happened. Insurance was discussed re restored and unrestored tractors that are being transported.

Here it was moved that we have our own banners and Norm Bates was to look into this

Dowerin Field Day had as its feature “Vintage Machinery” and a great display was put on by Central Wheatbelt Branch

At the Royal Show Norm Bates won the Justins Trophy

1987

AGM held at Kevin and Judy Martins Farm, Williams 1987 At this meeting Bob Lukins vacated the position of President after five years as President and one as Co- Ordinater Again it was needed to raise the annual subscription to $20.00

Peter Eades then was elected to the Presidency

Central Wheatbelt held its first Wyalkatchem Vintage Fair weekend on the 17th and 18th of October 1987 with horses pulling the binder and tractors cutting hay, sheep shearing etc.

The subscription to T.O.M.M. was stopped as only the secretary gets use of the magazine.

It was during these years that Ross Ferguson offered a donation of a trophy for the Kukerin field day to be given to the most outstanding exhibit. The first B.B.Q. evening was held at the Royal Show The Heritage act has been proclaimed and there is a control list. This will be controlled by the customs and each states museum, a list of items over 50 years old will be sent.

1988

AGM held in Collie where Perth branch was formed. An enquiry is to be made re Taxation on clubs.

The Heritage Act has now been proclaimed and there is a control list. It was moved that we join the National Safety Committee the subscription is $10.00 Regulation signs, agreed with buying them in Perspex or Metal this was left to the committee

At the meeting held at the Royal Show 1988, recommendations came with regard to the formation of branches and that Tracmach remain one association and hold one meeting per year and Branches to hold as many meetings as they wish.

It was decided to have a committee member from each area, the first members were Brian Bunker Mt Barker, David Ashfold Perth, Bob Lukins Kukerin, John Smith Central Wheatbelt.

The R.A.S. I think sponsored Tracmach for a number of years but don't know how long for. Once Perth branch was formed in 1988 they took over the responsibility of organising the Tracmach display at the Royal Show. Info from Phil Wyndham

The following memories from John Smith Vintage Tractors and Horses in the early days at the Royal Show. In the early days before photo I.D. tags to get into the Royal show came on the scene, the following happened, if you arrived at the gate anytime with an engine or vintage tractor on your vehicle you were welcomed through with a smiling face and directed where to go and camped in the Tank Yard free of charge our spot was next to the horses near the School at the N.E, of the ground the Tom Wilding Pavilion is there now. The horses were north of our display which was each side of the bitumen roadway ,we had a bough shed and a compound that had stationary engines in, we also had a loading ramp near by, unfortunately the horses had to pass through our display each time they went to the ring and most times it was no problem but I remember one or two incidents. There was this time when Norm Bates had spent a lot of time and energy with the blowlamp and then pulling the flywheel of his Blackstone Engine had just got it going when this horse person came to him and said could you please turn it off while I take my horse past, I think Norm chose to ignore it as a little later this horse came past with about 4 very nervous people on each side and the horse with its head held high wondering what all the fuss is about. Then there was the lady with two very nervous horses she took them out of their harness and took them to the popping engines to get them used to them, some people are horse people and some are not. There was someone from that end that parked a small car at the bottom of the loading ramp so we couldn't use it I remember several Tracmach members bounced this small car crosswise into a horse stall it did not happen again, another incident was on the Ring whilst waiting for the horses to clear the grassed area I was talking to a couple of fellas in a Landrover about the horses showing off, I happened to say there is nothing wrong with the horses it is the horse people that is the trouble that is when all hell let loose the driver was trying to get to me through the open window and his passenger was trying to pull him back in. It was all good fun those days until they grassed the race track and banned steel wheel s, we were never allowed on the grass without rubber tyres I could never see why as the Horses cut up the grass far more as did the Holden Team as well.

1989

General Meeting held at Brookton 1989 for Formation of branches. It was decided to have branches with the approval of Tracmach executive. This year the subscriptions remained the same for the Association but Branches had to add their fee on top of Association's sub.

Norm Bates then told the story about having to wear his Tracmach greycoat as a dressing gown at the Royal Show and on someone asking what the group was, he was offered a motor, it pays to advertise.

The magazine is to be published four times a year Enamel badges, spoons and keyrings are on sale @ $5.00 each

A.G.M. held at Whiteman Park 1989 Ron Denney was our new President

At the Royal Show it is hoped to have 100 tractors for the centenary of the tractor.

Members were invited to the Wyalkatchem Fair being held in October with more exhibits and items of interest for the ladies. During this time the new look A4 size newsletter was published

Royal Show's centenary of the tractor; it was a real success and was an excellent display. The parade around the ring was a terrific sight to see, of the 79 or so tractors displayed most were in the big parade on the Wednesday with extra experienced drivers being co opted to make it the biggest parade. The parades for the rest of the week were a bit smaller, some members had the daily battle of trying to get the Ring Master to let the tractors onto the ring before they ran out of fuel as the trick was to give us a time where we had to be there then the animal parade went over time. Phil Wyndham had taken photos of all the tractors that had attended and did up albums for Association, Perth Branch and Central Wheatbelt so at least there is a good record and unfortunately some members are no longer with us

1990

The A.G.M. held at Cunderdin in the report the Safety guide lines were mentioned and it was felt that there should be some, so all people attending shows would know what Tracmach feel are safe standards.

Bindoon was approved as a branch.

The committee is now made up of Office Bearers plus Mt Barker and Kukerin representatives and branch President or Secretary from Perth, Central Wheatbelt and Bindoon Branch's. Interesting to note that membership has gone up to 144 members including family membership. Again members attended various shows the Royal included. When engines are started this brings people from everywhere so really a noisy exhibit is more interesting than one just sitting on display.

Tracmach organised The Ploughing Competition at the Kukerin Vintage Fair which was created to demonstrate the art of mould board ploughing see separate chapter

1991

AGM 1991 held at Wagin Historical Village. With Graham Hill as President and Coral Green took on secretary/treasurer

As this was the 10th anniversary of Tracmach a presentation was made to the foundation members and after a brief run down on the formation of the club trophies were presented to Jack Moyses, Ken Turnor, Wally Lee, Jesse Martin, Kevin Martin, Gavin Justins, Bob Lukins,(foundation president) and a planter of orchids to Bette Lukins (foundation secretary).

Junior fees to be half the member's fees. Payment of subscriptions to be paid by end of October.

It was during this time that Greg Baker and John Hutchinson's Burekup Vintage Fairs were held on the March long weekends, the first one being held in 1991.

1992

AGM held at Wyalkatchem Museum in the 1992 Newsletter Phil Wyndham reported that guest editors had worked very well and more people had been writing articles.

Philip Wyndham was made a Life Member for all his work helping keep the Association together with the Newsletter and his constant research on behalf of members Bob Lukins was made a Life Member as a founding member and has spent many hours promoting the Association at Shopping Centres and the like and without all the effort and help of Bob this Association would not have got off the ground and kept going.

It was this year that single and family subscriptions were formed these being $20.00 single and $22.00 family.

Safety standards were raised. Discussion as to whether the appointment of a Safety Officer had been done at a previous meeting it was decided to go ahead anyway and the motion was put that a Safety Officer be appointed at all Tracmach displays

It was moved that a Publicity Officer be appointed

Norm Bates extended an invitation to all members to go to Bimbijy Station during the 14th – 17 August 1992

Tracmach sweaters were available prices zip up $40.00 and Vee neck $35.00. orders to Julie Andrews with sizes required. The colour is grey fleece with Tracmach on the back in black and our logo on the left front and name on the right front in either zip up or pullover.

Bimbijy Trip: On a cool but fine Saturday morning everyone who had either travelled the night before or arrived early that morning congregated in the middle of the yard ready for the bus ride out to see some of the breakaway country and on the way Norm showed us how he set Dingo traps ( these are a pest around sheep.) We also saw the wild flowers. During the trip around the station Graham and Lesley Hill tracked us down and so were able to continue on with us to see the sights. Elizabeth Thornton who was into wool spinning gathered some of Bimbijy's foliage to dye the wool she had thought to bring with her, unbeknown to Norm and Heather Lesley Smith was given the job of crocheting a knee rug to be presented to them at a later date as a memento of our great weekend at Bimbijy. Ross Ferguson who has become known as Pyro brought up some Collie coal and so kept the camp fires going both nights. Tractor Museum at Whiteman Park was officially opened by MLA Ernie Bridge in November 1992.

1993

During May members were saddened to learn of our President Graham Hill's sudden death so a gathering of members went to farewell him at his funeral.

Cranbrook 1993 The first Tracmach social weekend took place at Ron and Marion Denny's farm and a good look around the area's collections ending with a BYO BBQ on the Saturday evening with the AGM held on the Sunday. This was to be the format for future AGM's

Max Thornton Vice President took the chair and asked all to stand for one minutes silence in memory of late President Graham Hill who passed away last May also for Bob Hemsley who recently passed away.

At the election of office bearers Max Thornton was elected president. In Max's report he mentioned that Pat and Vern Witney had taken over the Editorship of the Newsletter.

The trip to Bimbijy last August was a great success and thanked Norm and Heather Bates for their hospitality.

A lot of discussion took place on Safety regulations. Secretary said that she had only received one branch financial report.

It was agreed to see if Julie Andrews would make a flag in Tracmach colours like Central Wheatbelt's for the areas and any other branch.

At a committee meeting held at Whiteman Park on July 24th a Steering Committee was formed to look into the formation of a Combined Group committee for the Preservation of Machinery in W.A

1994

February: Meeting held at Avondale Farm Beverley The idea of a State body being affiliated with the National body was discussed with ideas being passed

A committee meeting was held during July this was to try and sort out Safety Guidelines which were to be taken to the AGM:.

Saturday July 30th saw members arriving at Dalwallinu, for a tour of the area with visits to various collections and a BYO BBQ social evening.

The AGM followed on the Sunday. Mrs Alice Roach was congratulated on being awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the last Queens Birthday Honours list. As Coral Green wanted to give up the secretaryship the meeting tried to find another one this was postponed till after lunch when Alan Rogers volunteered.

In Perth Branch's report Jim Creagh informed the members that to safe guard Tracmach Association from any financial burden, we have changed the name and the management arrangement of the Perth Branch Museum. The new name is the “Tractor Museum of W.A. and is entirely separate from Tracmach and Perth Branch and is managed by a completely separate constituted Association.

Safety Guidelines from the committee meeting were then put to the meeting and were accepted as presented.

150 Lapel Badges, 100 Tea spoons, 100 Key Rings to be ordered

Vehicle Concessional licences only available from the Veteran Car Club Laurie Doncon is willing to undertake the inspecting for Tracmach. It was agreed to become affiliated with the Combined Car Club.

After Bob Lukins had spoken to Gary Brookes about getting tractors to Kukerin Vintage Fair, Gary rang John Hutchinson of Burekup and said if local members wanted to take tractors to Kukerin he would supply the trucks. This happened with two B trains and Alf Brookes' low loader taking approximately 60 tonnes of tractors belonging to Tony Pailthorpe, Milton Duke, Shawn Treasure, John Hutchinson, Gary and Alf Brookes and Greg Baker. Thanks were given to Dennis and Dave and Alf who were the drivers. Not sure if this is the exact trucks that went to this Kukerin Fair but certainly was to become the norm.

1995

April 9th 1995 A general meeting was held at Max and Elizabeth Thornton's farm where the cost of insurance was raised and it was decided to go with Westsure Wyalkatchem and accept their quote of $628.40 for $5,000,000 cover.

After the meeting Max's new Tracmach shed was opened by life member Bob Lukins.

AGM held at Jesse Martins Farm, Williams 1995

All branches now have official Tracmach flags and banners and stands, made by Julie and Tim Andrews.

Subscriptions are raised to $22.00 single and $24.00 family.
The membership is very healthy at present there are 241 members.

A motion for a name badge to be supplied and included in new subscriptions was carried.

Uniform signs were agreed to at a cost of $15.00 for the larger ones and $10.00 for the smaller ones for the engines.

It was at this meeting that it was agreed to purchase a Marquee to be used at Shows attended by Tracmach. The marquee to have Tracmach logo and be in Tracmach colours.

Sadly our first secretary Bette Lukins died just after the A.G.M and so members gathered in Kukerin to say our goodbyes to Bette and were able to be a guard of honour at the grave side. Also to hopefully show our support to Bob and family.

In October the first Tracmach Marquee was ready for use it is 6m x 6m sky blue roof and heavy duty grey walls 2m in height with a full logo of Tracmach across the front half of the roof.

1996

The now annual Tracmach weekend was held at Norm and Heather Bates Farm at Welbungin with Saturday being the time for a Sticky beak look around and B.B.Q. at night

AGM 1996 The marquee is now available. After lunch President Max introduced Mr Allan Richardson from the ABC Bush Telegraph programme who gave his life story followed by some of his experiences with the Bush Telegraph programme. During the election of office bearers Lesley Smith became secretary/treasurer

In April some of our South West Members had a birthday party for 50 years of the Ferguson Tractor with the Harry Ferguson Tractor Club at John Hutchison's farm with working tractors and an overnight camp.

1997

The high light of the year was our participation in the 6th National Historical Machinery Rally at Busselton in March 1997. A lot of members went to Busselton to take part in this Rally There were tractors from far and wide Albany, Mukinbudin, Dardanup, Perth and all points in between and beyond.

“My recollection was the first day being lovely and sunny with a good display of tractors from far and wide and mention must be made of Gary Brookes' big red machines bulldozing make believe dams and then refilling them. The stationery engines and static collections were well worth a look. That night the marquee was used to protect Bob Lukin's Ford T and Jill Brookes' International Truck. Then on the Sunday thunderstorms came and rather dampened both visitors', tractors, engines and participants and within our marquee standing room only till the sun shone again. It was a really good display with engines working and tractors and machines showing their uses. We had some souvenirs for sale and were able to sell quite a few teaspoons, key rings and badges” - Lesley Smith

After the late Gary Brookes joined Tracmach he started off with one semi trailer taking other members tractors to the Kukerin “Tracmach” Show. In 1997 he arrived with five road trains loaded with tractors in convoy, a magnificent sight and one I will always remember. Again thanks to Phil Wyndham for the memory

AGM held at Harvey 1997 on Richard and Margaret Jackson's farm.

The weekend started on the Saturday with a look around Richard's treasures and then the B.B.Q. at night with plenty of talk. Before the A.G.M. we took a quick trip to see Tony Pailthorpes collection of International Tractors and iron seats off all types of machinery. At the A.G.M Attendance at the Royal Show is being made harder as Royal Agricultural Society wants the display to be for the full week, and as the numbers were down last year they feel we were not value for money. Norm Bates was made a life member of Tracmach. South West area was added to the committee

Another member's story. From Shirley Jefferson “It was late afternoon when Allan come into the Kitchen and said “can you give the old Wallis a tow” it was out of the shed to re-organise a space to fit another one in. I was in the middle of preparing tea, and said can't it wait until the morning, he muttered a bit, and found another job. Next morning his priority was to check some sheep, so off he went to get his ute, he started up, took off quickly, and pulled the front axle off the Wallis because he had hooked the chain on the night before. Of course this was all my fault, because if I had helped the night before, this would never have happened, but he was able to weld it back on, and things calmed down.”

1998

Brookton was well supported and a great display of tractors as is usual for the Old Time Motor Show not sure what year this photo was taken but it is a good representation of the displays

The annual Tracmach weekend started on Saturday August 1st.Based at the Tammin Landcare Centre. The Saturday afternoon was taken up with a bus tour of the Tammin area and a look at land reclaiming and then on to Cunderdin and surrounds. At the Thornton's farm a sign was spied saying

I the willing
Led by the knowing
Am doing the impossible
For the ungrateful
I have done so much
For so long. With so little
I am now highly
Qualified to do anything with nothing.

The tea that night was held in the Centre this time a Lasagne tea was the order of the day.

A.G.M Sunday August 2nd President Max thanked Allan Rogers for his forethought for having the weekend here and it was good not to be in a cold shed.

Perth branch reported that one of their members in Lionel Kahl had died and Central Wheatbelt were saddened to hear of the loss of Heather Bates a long time member.

At the clearing sale of James Erskine's it was good to see the Steam Engine stays in W.A.

It was decided to raise the single subscriptions to $24.00 and the family subscription to $26.00

In the South West's report it was stated that eight trucks of equipment went to the 1997 Kukerin Tracmach Fair with over $1.6m worth of equipment. Ivan Quartermaine had joined the convoy with his loaded truck. Would have made a terrific sight to be seen. The entertainment that night provided by Gary Brookes and Ivan Quartermaine was excellent

In 1998 the first Tractor Trek organised by the Ferguson Tractor Club, took place from Richard and Margaret Jacksons farm at Harvey, Tracmach members were invited to take part. A line up of nine tractors, including a Case 500, Farmall Super ‘A' six Fergusons and a Ferguson 35 pulling a Ferguson trailer, Laurie Doncon's 1950 Ford truck came up at the rear to pick up any break-downs. On the first day they stopped at the Harvey Museum then on to the Harvey Weir for lunch, continuing on bush tracks with wild flowers in full bloom on to Logue Brook Dam. The next day was following an old logging railway to Yarloop; arriving at the historic workshops in time for lunch.

Tracmach took over this event because of insurance. There has been a trek every September since then and has been hosted by members around the South West. In 2002 two tractor treks were held.

1999

The annual weekend was held at Camp Quaranup Albany with Saturday July 31st being a look and see time. With a catered tea at night.

This was the start of having our Saturday evening meal catered for and the search for suitable venues became the norm.

The A.G.M. was held the next day August 1st with the President saying the venues are getting better.

Central Wheatbelt advised that there had been a change of venue for the Vintage day held last March which was held at the Dowerin Field day site.

Tracmach caps were then discussed and were to be purchased for sale, the colour would be blue with Tracmach logo in white.

A second Marquee was agreed to be purchased so one could remain in the Southern area and one for the Central and Northern area. John Smith with information from Brian Bunker was to organise the purchase.

Kukerin Fair Tracmach had at least six road trains loaded with tractors of all shapes and sizes probably the largest being the Terex, other trucks joined the convoy and all paused at the Show Grounds entrance for photo's to be taken

2000

Our usual Weekend this year was at Camp Simons Araluen.
Once again it started on the Saturday afternoon with a bus trip to the Midlands Workshop to see the Machinery Preservation Clubs engines and machinery. There was also a tour of the train pattern shop (help can anyone enlarge on this please get your memory cells going).

Back to Camp Simons for another catered tea and a pleasant evening of chit chat and tall stories. Interesting to note the cost of our Saturday tea was $8.00 per head and the Sunday lunch was $6.00 each

Before the AGM some members took the opportunity to look at the tulips in Araluen's gardens

At the A.G.M. on Sunday July 30th it was mentioned that the Association is still in good shape and members are just as enthusiastic to preserve our heritage. Central Wheatbelt mentioned the successful seeding and harvest days at the Roach farm.

Perth were very pleased with the display of 50 years of Chamberlain tractors. The Great Southern had had a busy year supporting various shows with a good roll up of exhibits

Max Thornton said he was standing down as president after eight years at the helm and Tim Andrews was then elected President.

Yearly examiners were then discussed for the Southern area and Central Wheatbelt to help Laurie Doncon who is the licensing officer for concessional licencing.

At this meeting concern arose about the heritage aspect of farm machinery going overseas and how could we keep it in Australia. It appears that not much has changed and if tractors or machines are broken up no-one who checks has the qualification to know what it was.

At the Kukerin fair 75 years of Caterpillar was celebrated about 35 were on show.

2001

We all gathered at Spring Hill Rural Retreat Northam for our Weekend on the 4th and 5th of August.

The usual start was with a bus tour on the Saturday afternoon. The tour took us to Lloyd and Kath Fowler's home to look at his mainly Fordson collection, we then boarded the bus again to journey to Beverley to the Ferguson collection which every time we see it, it seems to get more and more interesting.
After afternoon tea here it was back to Northam and down to the airfield to see Steve Fosset's (an American millionaire) hot air balloon being filled in readiness for his attempt at around the world balloon trip without stopping. Dick Smith of the Dick Smith shop name was there checking everything out anyway time for tea so back to Spring Hill and dinner and social evening. Some members braved the cool evening and went to see how the balloon was progressing for takeoff.

As we were going to breakfast next morning we managed to see through the break in the clouds, Steve and his balloon float past (note he did break the record but unfortunately some years later lost his life in an air crash.)

At the AGM Tim Andrews was re-elected President. The research officer was voted to be discontinued; a computer and printer were to be purchased for the editor's use also an out of pocket allowance was awarded to them. As previously mentioned the usual show rounds were made and machines and tractors and the hassle with the horses were again the order, sometimes though I think it gives the men a bit of a sparkle in the running of events.

Checking back in the 2001 October magazine to refresh my memory on what we did, I see that, that was the year two empty envelopes were sent out when the subscription notices were posted but one enterprising gentleman from down in the South West saw the post mark Mukinbudin and guessed it may have been subs due notice so promptly returned his new subscription!. - Lesley Smith

2002

In the magazine of July 2002 Bob Lukins put in about Tracmach coming of age I felt this should be included here.

“Ever since I can remember, I have loved old machinery. I have always been fascinated by how they were built and a dream I held for many years was to organise a day where these old machines could be seen in their past glory. I have visited many museums in my time, but my real aim was to see these machines participating in what they were built for. Giving other like minded people and interested public the chance to see them also. I suppose this was how the idea grew into a reality, and now 21 years later, Tracmach is a state wide organisation with over 400 members, plus members in most Aust. States. This sounds impressive now, but it wasn't quite the story in the early days. I had a lot of interest shown and in 1981, I finally took the plunge to organise a meeting. After much anticipation on my behalf, nine people turned up. I was bitterly disappointed. After my initial disappointment, I returned home one day to find a piece of paper sticking out from under a rock in the yard. I opened up the envelope and it was a weathered letter from a fellow who had driven 300 odd klms to my farm to see me, as he hadn't been able to make it to the meeting. Unfortunately, (or, maybe fortunately in hindsight) I wasn't home when he “dropped” by and had left the letter for me. That was a significant turning point in spurring me on. This fellow is still a very active member in Tracmach today. The very first Vintage Farming Field Day was held at “Yarramundi” my farm, south of Kukerin. It was quite a successful day, one which we all enjoyed thoroughly. The next year we were taken by surprise as people travelled from much further a field to see these tractors working. We weren't really equipped to handle big crowds and so the next year, it was decided to incorporate our field day with the Kukerin Agricultural Show. It became the “Kukerin Tracmach Vintage Fair” and has grown from a one day event to a two day event. It is now W.A.'s largest display of working vintage machinery and is held in conjunction with the W.A, Creek bed Racing and the W.A. Truck Show. In the year 2000, I was awarded a Life Membership from the Kukerin Agricultural Society, in recognition of my services. I must say that all my years of participation have been a labour of love and one which I have received much pleasure from. My wish for the future would be to see that the history of agriculture is preserved in the form of a “living archive” with these working field days. Giving younger people the opportunity to experience some history and by seeing how their forefathers pioneered the land.

Come back soon, there is still more to be added...

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