Full steam ahead for local vintage engine and machinery club
The Lower Murray vintage engine and machinery club have been granted over $31,000 towards new equipment and a free community event.
The Lower Murray vintage engine and machinery club (LMVEMC) has welcomed $27,469 through the state government’s latest community sheds round.
The money will help the club purchase much-needed new equipment and tools, to be used by it's 300 members.
The club were also granted another $4600 to help make their biennial heritage rally and tractor pull, free for the community.
The Lower Murray heritage rally and tractor pull celebrates the heritage of agricultural machinery and vehicles, offering entertainment for the entire family.
Committee member Rodney McCue said the grant would allow the event to become a free public family day out for the community.
"There's apple peeler machines, cream separators... it's stuff the kids won't see, things that aren't around anymore."
The heritage rally is expected to be held early next year, in April.
LMVEMC secretary Jayme Marshall said they've been trying for a few grants to help boost their operations.
The second grant will help them buy brand new equipment, suitable for making tanks that cool off the engines for their machinery.
"There's a couple of guys in the club that have got lathes, so we're going home and doing work... and then bringing it back here," Mr McCue.
It will broaden facilities and allow more members to expand their knowledge when it comes to metal making, he said.
Equipment included:
- Lathe
- Motorised sheet metal curving rolls
- Manual treadle guillotine
- Manual panbrake
- Kincrome tool trolley
As more members retire, they're more than happy to come out to the shed not only to learn but socialise, Mr McCue said.
"Once we've got ourselves setup we'll be able to teach others in the community," Mr Marshall said.
"Anyone that's able to, comes across here and tinkers with tractors and hoses... restoring things, to get it back up and running."
The lower Murray vintage engine and machinery club host a come and play group each Wednesday at the Showgrounds from 9am.
"Everyone's welcome, even for just a cup of coffee... you've got to have something to do" Mr McCue said.
Thirty-five community sheds across the state were selected as part of the state governments community sheds scheme; grants of up to $30,000 each were awarded, marking a total investment of nearly $550,000.
