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‘It’s not the long weekend, it’s steam rally weekend’: Echuca Moama Steam, Iron and Trades Revival a success
The highly-anticipated Echuca Moama Steam, Iron and Trades Revival took place on Saturday and Sunday, bringing historical exhibits, workshops and activities to Rotary Park.
Across the weekend, attendees were entertained by a range of exhibits, such as model trains, oil and petrol engines, vintage vehicles and lost trades.
Echuca Steam Preservation Society president Ed Gibson was thrilled with the success of the event, which he described as a “lovely weekend”.
“Happy with the crowds... we probably have a few more exhibitors than last year.
“Lots of engines, trucks, cars, tractors. The entertainment’s been great.
“I think it’s been a big success.”
Echuca Moama Steam Preservation Society took over the running of the event two years ago, taking the reins from Echuca Rotary Club.
Mr Gibson has been going to the event since his childhood, and was excited to see many young people getting involved.
“It originally started in around 1963, the first rally,” he said.
“This is probably the 50th year. I’m 50, and I’ve been coming here since I was in a pusher.
“We got a few young punters... hopefully we get another generation of kids coming through.”
Live music acts like the Echuca Federal Band, Snake and Rooster Duo, and Ryebuck provided the soundtrack, while an array of food trucks kept guests satisfied.
Guests and exhibitors travelled from all over the region, including Wagga Wagga and Wonthaggi.
“It’s great for the town; it brings a lot of people to town,” Mr Gibson said.
“We put a lot of money back into the community. That’s what we want to do; just enjoy our hobbies and our passions.”
Activities for the little ones included face painting by Lavender Rose, miniature train rides and an animal nursery from Billabong Ranch.
Festivities on Saturday included an aerobatics display, a parade, a steam show and fire twirling.
Echuca Steam Preservation Society member Jarrod Beer brought along a grain crusher, a 100-year-old American Case steam engine, a British-built steam engine and an irrigation pump.
“We try and preserve a few steam engines, I’ve been collecting for a few years, probably around 25 years,” he said.
“We bring them here with... friends from the area, and we just try to exhibit what they used to do in the past.”
Mr Beer has been a long-time attendee, visiting with his family since childhood, before developing his own passion for collecting and restoring engines.
“We used to come up when we were kids from Melbourne, our parents would bring us up in the 80s,” he said.
“We’ve got a love for steam engines.”
Scouts camped at the event, running a camping kitchen and constructed a tower.
Sunday featured the burning of the tower by the Echuca 1st Scouts Group, which was then put out by Echuca and Bamawn CFA, followed by the parade, the final event for the weekend.
After dousing the tower in petrol and setting it alight, the crowd watched on as it went up in flames, before the CFA stepped in to control it.
Event organiser Scott Spedding was thrilled with the outcome of the event, and emphasised the importance of the weekend for the town.
“All our exhibitors and the team are really happy... it’s been a really successful weekend,” he said.
“We’ll help make sure it keeps going and try and keep it growing. It’s great for the town.
“I was talking to someone earlier, and they said, ‘it’s not the June long weekend in Echuca, it’s steam rally weekend’.
“The club got together, basically formed, to ensure the event kept running.
“All our volunteers, and everyone that comes together, local support; it makes it happen.”