Heritage Month Feature - Celebrating the Southland Rural Heritage Centre’s 70th Anniversary
The Southland Rural Heritage Centre Open Weekend is a regular event as part of our Heritage Month events and this year on the 21st & 22nd March they had their annual event, this time it was of more significance as it was their 70th Anniversary.
Fraser Pearce from the Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club has kindly supplied us with the wording for this article and some wonderful images to represent the weekend’s events.
👇 After viewing the images, continue reading below to learn more about the club’s history and the stories behind this special anniversary.
🎉🚜 Our 70th Celebrations - A Weekend of Memories, Community and Heritage Pride
Coming Together to Celebrate 70 Years
Our 70 th celebration weekend in March was an opportunity for members and family of both past and present, to get together and remines about journey our club and its museum, has been on over the years. Our museum, now called the Southland Rural Heritage Centre is something our club is very proud of and we had it open all weekend for anyone to join us for a look through.
Music, Stories and Atmosphere
In the steam shed the Deep South Rhythm Band played tunefully in the background as many stories were told. Our 1910 Garrett steam engine also added to the atmosphere. Leading to this shed was a gallery of photographs, that gave plenty for our guests to look at, to ponder and remember the past.
Honouring Long‑Standing Members
Our weekend started with a panel being unveiled by the Saxton family. Their father Winston was a long time (Life) member of both the Thornbury Fire Brigade and Thornbury Vintage tractor Clubs and Winstons fire jacket is proudly displayed with the ex- Thornbury Fire Engine.
Showcasing Restoration Milestones
Another special event was having both the first restored tractor and the most recently restored tractor side by side. The first being the Avery and the most recent being the Oliver.
Afternoon Tea, Speeches and Awards
As you can see, we had plenty of food. A sumptuous afternoon tea for those who didn’t want to stay too long into the evening. During this time, we had our formalities with speeches, the cutting of the cake and the presentation of our restoration and most enthusiastic member trophies.
A Relaxed Evening and Local History
Our evening meal was a more relaxed occasion. Again, plenty of food which was truly excellent. Local historian Neil Lindscott gave us a great talk on the history of the district. And a great night was had by all.
🚜📜 Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club - Celebrating New Zealand’s Oldest Vintage Machinery Club
How It All Began
The Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club has earlier this year celebrated their 70 th Anniversary and claims to be the oldest vintage machinery club in New Zealand. It all began after a 1914 Avery tractor was recovered and restored by Mr Jack McKenzie and friends. Pleased with their efforts the men decided to take part in the Southland Provincial Centenary Celebration in 1956 which involved a street parade. Following this event the “Southland Vintage Tractor Club” was formed and held the first ploughing match for vintage tractors. With the discovery of other vintage tractors, buildings were erected in Thornbury to house an ever-growing collection and so the club’s museum was born. Several years later the club changed its name to” Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club inc”.
Membership and Club Activities
Currently, we have approximately forty active members with half that number attending monthly meetings. Most members are involved with the various club activities over the year. These activities include – museum exhibit restoration and display, working expo’s, ploughing matches and tractor treks and social outings.
Major Development and New Exhibits
2005 saw the beginning of a major development programme where expansion was key, enabling us to better display our collection. New exhibits have been added including a 1910 Garrett steam engine.
Southland’s Rural Heritage Centre
Now called Southlands Rural Heritage Centre, our latest exhibit tells Southlands farming story. The History of Southland Farming display starts with a 10min video before allowing you to entre an area where dynamic pictures and words describe how our forebears came, cleared the land and developed what is now Southlands agricultural industry.
Club Culture and Community
Club members gather most Saturdays at Thornbury to work on projects, but a lot of time is spent putting the world to rights over a cup of tea. A vintage machinery version of a “Men’s Shed”. If you’re interested in joining, please check out our website www.southlandruralheritage.nz