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OLD OLD OLD OLD PLOUGHS PLOUGHS PLOUGHS PLOUGHS ANDANDANDAND PISTONSPISTONSPISTONSPISTONS

Newsletter of the Machinery Preservation Club of W.A. (Inc.)

www.machinerypreservationclub.com.au

PO Box 1471, Midland 6936

The iconic Furphy Farm Water Cart with company slogan embossed into the ends.

GOOD.BETTER.BEST “Never Let it Rest Till Your Good is Better and your Better - Best”

PRESERVING FOR THE FUTURE

Vol.13 No.4 DECEMBER 2013

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PRESIDENT: Steve Barlas 93518703 sbarlas@westnet.com.au

VICE PRESIDENT: Dave Ashfold 94588363 dash@iinet.net.au

SECRETARY: Jim Riddle 92741905 jriddle@westnet.com.au

TREASURER: Judy Ashfold 94588363 dash@iinet.net.au

SHOW CO-ORDINATOR: Steve Barlas 93518703 sbarlas@westnet.com.au

SOCIAL CO-ORDINATOR: Peter Dymond 95742688 pvdymond@avon.net.auice

WEB MASTER: Ralph & Wendy Thomas 94585435 rwthomas@mail2me.com.au

SAFETY OFFICER: Ross Morton 93740375 grmdraft@optusnet.com.au

MAGAZINE EDITOR: Les Jones 95254079 jonesey01@netspace.net.au

MPC ARCHIVES/MUSEUM: Bob.Wallis 0417788292 bob.wallis@iinet.net.au

LIBRARIAN: Les Jones 95254079 jonesey01@netspace.net.au

MEMBERSHIP & UNIFORM REGISTRAR: Dave Ashfold 94588363 dash@iinet.net.au

NHMA REPRESENTATIVE ( State Rep.) Ralph Thomas 94585435 rwthomas@mail2me.com.au

All welcome to the MPC Christmas party

To be held at the Midland Workshop in the Tool Box meeting

room

Time Sunday 8th

December from 11 o’clock

Lunch will be served 12 noon to 1 in the afternoon

Please bring either salads or a sweet and own drinks

The Club will provide the meat

Tickets will be needed to attend. Please contact Jim Riddle to obtain a ticket

jriddle@westnet.com.au 92741905 as he requires numbers for catering.

If you don’t let us know you may miss out on food

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Steve Barlas

Looking back over the year much

has been achieved. Displaying at 12

shows and thanks to the MRA’s

open day we have new members.

We also had another successful day

with the vintage motor cycle club who are looking

forward to returning next year.

A great time was had at the Toodyay Show with David

and Jake taking the steam traction engine on its first

road trip.

The committee and interested members attended a

workshop on the Swanleigh complex at the Midland

Town Hall to discuss our "Wish List".

I would like to thank you all for your commitment to

our club and look forward to another exciting and

sometimes challenging new year.

MPC Votes for New Direction: by Dave Ashfold

The President and Committee would like to thank all

club members for their participation in the recently

conducted poll to decide the future direction of the

MPC. 58 votes were returned. The vote - 50 Yes 6 No

and 2 Abstained. A letter of confirmation was signed

by the President and handed to the Alliance stating

that the MPC was now committed to the new

community complex to be built on land at Swanleigh

owned by the Anglican Church. The MPC, through

David Ashfold and Bob Wallis, will now in the New

Year write to the Metropolitan Redevelopment

Authority asking if we can have an extension of our

licence beyond June 30th 2014. We can now explain

that we have a direction and are committed to

building a new community complex which will house

several not for profit clubs, and this may take several

years before we move in.

With the commitment now of the MPC and all other

foundation clubs, the Alliance can now go ahead and

become incorporated, and select a permanent name.

The Alliance has already had the first of many

meetings with Lotterywest and the reception was very

good. The Federal Government has also been asked to

come up with some of the money. It will take some

time to get all the formal grant paper work in place.

The group of clubs currently known as Swan Trade

and Craft alliance would like to thank the City of Swan

and CEO Mike Foley for their

financial help to get us this far.

EDITORIAL by Les Jones

The last couple of month I’ve

been flat out with shows, swap

meets and researching articles

for the newsletter, but still had time to go to a local

clearing sale. Di keeps telling me, don’t buy anything

bigger than a A3 sheet, but as we know the passion

for finding and collecting takes over and up goes the

baton. The clearing sale was an old Dairy with the

owner in his 90s, selling engines and implements that

he bought back in the 1940s. My eyes lit up when I

saw a nice Blackstone side delivery hay rake but

someone had beaten me to it. While I fossicked

around his rusty gear, Dan Huston picked up a rare

Victor hit and miss open crank engine. Still I came

away with a Rapid blacksmith’s forge, a magneto and

a short length of railway track.

Handy Hints for Engine

Restorers.

When starting out on the

restoration path, always begin

with a cheap bread and butter

engine and buy one that’s

complete and not seized. Don’t worry about it not

starting as long as it’s complete; otherwise it will cost

you more in parts than what it’s worth, unless you

need the parts for another project.

The picture above is of a

Witte 2HP engine brewing

away in the Molasses bath;

look at the growth from the

reaction on the steel. Who

said the Molasses doesn’t

work? I normally use a 20:1 mixture, water to

Molasses. The Witte is incomplete which will more

than likely cost too much to restore, but it’s a great

looking example of early American stationary engines,

so will make a good static display. - HAPPY

RESTORING.

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RALLY AND SHOW REPORT

WAROONA SHOW 8th September by Les Jones

This was a great success for the organisers and there

was a large turnout of exhibitors and spectators,

which now rivals Brookton

with the numbers of

stationary engines on

display. The MPC had a

good representation. Ralph

and Wendy with their

miniature display and

model steam engines, which just seems to be getting

bigger or I’m getting smaller. Dave and Janice Pether

had their beautifully restored Lister A (Junior); Victor

was in the drag saw compound; Bob and Brenda

Wallis were displaying hand planes in the Handtool

shed. Di and I had a Cooper 2

post shearing plant and a

Magneto display; but the

shearing engine stopped

running while sharpening some

combs, which had drawn in the spectators. After

cursing and kicking the engine it turned out to my

embarrassment and Dave’s amusement, to be too low

on fuel. I’m just too tight

with money; it must be my

Scottish heritage. The best

part as always is the get

together at the end of the

show for a few drinks and

some tall tales.

Thanks goes to the TOMC for inviting us and putting

up a compound fence, which was refreshing not

having to take the MPC trailer.

Below is a brief report on Waroona by Neil and

Sandra Twaddle

The Rally was a huge success with over 4000 visitors

on the day coming from as far as NSW. We have

received many phone calls post Rally, with each

reflection of the day being very positive.

The formalities of the day began with the Indigenous

blessing of the Land and greeting for everyone

attending, the “thank you sponsors speech”, some

country and western singing and the playing of

the Brass Band. We had many vintage machines on

display at this year’s Rally comprising of an awesome

array of vintage stationery-diesel-steam and

petrol engines; an immaculate display of vintage

chainsaws; a great selection of vintage motorcycles; a

large variety of vintage cars and a fantastic display of

vintage tractors with owners doing a victory lap of the

oval, that was enjoyed by all

watching and a very

interesting wood machinist

who kept many interested

during the day.

The sheds housed great

displays of vintage sewing

machines, wool weavers,

wood turning, toys, steam

engines, rabbit traps and

many antique tools. The

Memorial Hall-supper room held a large display of

antiques. The ladies in the large front hall were kept

busy displaying their sewing and explaining their

crafty talents to the many interested visitors.

On organising this event, importance was put into

ensuring that a good selection of food and beverages

would be available for our visitors to choose from on

the day. A lot of time and

effort went into contacting

stall holders that could show

case products that may

interest to both men and

woman. On speaking to

many of the stall holders, their sales were up and

they were ready to book their spot for next year’s

Rally. Our Rally also catered for

Children in the way of having

available free rides on the Lions

club train; free face painting and

free bouncy castle jumping.

Lastly: The Rally would not be possible without the

support of our sponsors and our helpers who

contributed to making this Rally what it was. We are

so glad you enjoyed the day and look forward to your

continued support at the next Vintage Machinery

Rally.

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KELMSCOTT SHOW 19th

October by Les Jones

The weather was kind in the morning but by lunch

time it started raining. The MPC members did us

proud, putting on an

excellent and varied

display. From static

collections like Willie and

Tini, with their model

aeroplane engines; Bob

Wallis with his hand tools,

Jimmy Riddle with his blow

lamps, and Di and I with

our magneto display.

The engines were well

represented with Jimmy

running a Ruston Hornsby PB 3HP and Dudley Jensen

in competition with his Sandover built SPB Ruston

Hornsby. Les Smith had a

Wing and a Jap on display

as well as his old faithful

Moffat Virtue 3HP driving a

water pump; that’s until it

kept stopping, I did offer

to buy it at a reduced price

but turned out only to be a

spark plug problem.

George and Kerry

Sjepcevich brought 2

engines, as always

immaculately restored, but

his Buzzacott stopped in sympathy with Les’s engine;

the old gremlin of water in

the magneto was the

culprit. Victor had his drag

saw but due to show

commitments was unable

to run the sawing display.

Stewart MacPherson was

unable to bring his

shearing display as he

was working in the

morning, “how dare

work interfere with our

fun!”, but he was of

invaluable help when

we starting breaking down the displays and then the

heavens opened up

with continuous rain.

He was like a drowned

rat due not bringing a

coat. Even considering

the rain it was a most

enjoyable day and a

couple of Roger May Museum guys were also

displaying a few engines and were a pleasure to talk

to, as well as helping us put up the marquee.

‘NO SNAGS’ THIS YEAR AT THE CANNING SHOW

By Ralph and Wendy Thomas.

The display by the MPC at

this year’s Canning Show

was an excellent one, with a

wide range of different

exhibits; from Stewart

Macpherson‘s Shearing

Display, to Victor James’

always popular working Drag Saw. We added a touch

of Fairground Music to our Steam Display this year,

and this encouraged a bit of

community singing amongst

members as they walked

past.

Other displays included

Hand Tools by Bob Wallis,

Shearing Plant by Les and

Diane, engines by George C, George and Kerry, Les

and Rene, Ross and Colleen,

John and Tina and Steve,

plus Jack with his Hot Air

engine.

David Pether and Keith

Chappell attended on the

Friday night, but could not

make the Saturday. Attendance on Saturday was

excellent, with a total of over 20 members and 60

meters of exhibits. This in turn brought many

compliments from the Canning Agricultural Society

Committee members; who

were extremely pleased

with the great display,

which enhanced their 2013

show. Their Committee

have plans for big changes

to the site, which include

relocating the Greyhound Track, and these may affect

future Canning Shows in the short term.

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As per usual, Wendy and I

did the 2 night security,

and had no trouble except

for the fence blowing over

during Saturday night.

BBQs were used by

members on both nights, and we finished up on

Sunday morning with a communal BBQ breakfast.

Thanks go to John and Tina, Stewart, Les and Diane

and Ross and Colleen, for providing most of the

provisions.

A vote of thanks must also go to Victor James, who

had to make two trips to Midland to collect and return

the trailer.

According to comments

made by those present, it

was one of the best shows

for some time, with the

added advantage of a great

social atmosphere, which

must be seen as great

value to the MPC.

Note:

For the first time that I am aware of there was a check

on power leads at an event we have attended. The

Society requested an inspection of our power

requirements, then all our power leads were tested

and tagged, duration of tag was for one month. This I

think will become a normal procedure in the future,

and we would be wise to bear this in mind for other

displays we may attend.

AIRCRAFT PISTON ENGINES (part 3) by Les Jones

Napier Sabre H-24 cylinder engine. The Sabre

represented the ultimate in piston engine technology,

not only in the 1930s when it was conceived, but even

by today´s standards. It was a truly remarkable

engine, representing the ultimate in complexity,

technology, specific power, and unfortunately

problems. In retrospect it

can be stated that many of

the Sabre's woes were due

to the pressures in wartime

England to get the latest

technology into production

as rapidly as possible, even though many of the

"bugs", both design - and manufacturing-related, had

not been work out.

Design was initiated in 1935 based on an earlier study

for a compression ignition diesel. British Air Ministry

Initial Acceptance tests were completed on 17 January

1938, rated at 1350 hp. This figure rose to 2050 hp by

March. By June 1940 it had passed its Air Ministry

100-hour type test on its first attempt at 2200 hp and

3700 rpm, making it the world ´s first 2000 hp

production engine.

Even with improved

manufacturing

techniques, plus

numerous design

refinements, the engine

was not out of the

woods.

By the 31st May 1939 the Sabre was ready for its first

flight in a Fairey Battle at RAF Station Northolt. The

first design studies incorporating contra-rotating

propellers were initiated in 1941. No production Sabre

used this concept, possibly because of other more

pressing issues with the engine and lack of a suitably

developed propeller. Three-speed, two-stage

supercharging, which promised higher boost, was

developed in 1942, but again this promising avenue

was not pursued and consequently never got into

production. By 1944, in Sabre V form, it became an

excellent power plant.

NAPIER SABRE II B - What a beauty!

The Sabre VII was similar to the V; the primary

difference was the use of ADI and the strengthening

of the internal components. From its 2238 cu. in.

displacement a phenomenal 3500 hp was achieved at

3850 rpm. Finally, Napier test ran a Sabre at 4000 hp

with ADI. No other production aircraft piston engine

has ever equalled these truly impressive numbers!

The first operational aircraft to be powered by the

Sabre were the Hawker Typhoon and Tempest. The

initial engines were used to power the Napier-Heston

Racer, which was designed to capture the world air

speed record. By 1944 the Sabre V was delivering a

consistent 2,400hp and its reputation started to

improve. This was the last version to see service,

powering the Hawker Typhoon &Tempest but without

an advanced supercharger it’s performance over

20,000ft fell off rapidly, so was predominately used in

a ground attack mood. Saying that the Sabre powered

aircraft easily outpaced its German counterpart

Focke-Wulf Fw190 with its pilots instructed to keep

below20,000ft.

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OUTSTANDING JOBS IN THE WORKSHOP

1. EDWARDS 2 CYL. ENGINE in progress, modifying a

car starter motor to help start with a 12V battery

(Les Smith). Will require occasional help

2. LISTER ENGINE AND POWER BOARD in progress

(George Chappell).

3. LAUSEN OPEN CRANK HORIZONTAL ENGINE

nearing completion, fabrication and water leak

finished, will require timing and final adjustment

(Ian Lyons). Will require help on engine setup.

THINGS TO DO ON THE SOCIAL FRONT. By Ralph T.

Below is a list of things to do for Members during the

next few months; through contacts we have made

recently. Wives and partners are most welcome and

encouraged to join us.

Maritime Museum – Fremantle.

Paul Freeman has kindly invited us to one of their

work mornings, which are held each Wednesday.

It is intended that we pay the visit in the morning and

then possibly go to Cicerello’s for a Fish and Chip

lunch.

Woodturners – Thornlie Tafe.

Peter Pickering has invited us to one of their work

days for a visit, to see them in action, and meet their

members.

W.A. Model Collectors Club.

Eric, one of their members, has invited us to join their

club on one of their work days at the Vintage Car Club

in Forrestfield. These are held on the 4th Saturday of

each month.

Aircraft Museum – Bullcreek.

Les Jones is also going to arrange a trip to their

museum.

Hugh Manning Museum – Serpentine.

President Dan Houston is going to arrange a visit here

on one of their workdays.

No dates have been arranged as yet, so if you have

interest in attending any of these social visits, please

contact myself or Les, and we will put you on a list of

Interested Members.

The reason for this; is that we may not have time to

inform everyone between club meetings or the Old

Ploughs and Pistons. However, I will endeavour to

place the information on the website, if I have the

time to do so.

If anybody else can add to this list, please let us know.

Ralph 9458 5435 – rwthomas@mail2me.com.au

Les 9525 4079 – jonesey01@netspace.net.au

NATIONAL HISTORICAL MACHINERY ASSOCIATION

INC. By Ralph Thomas NHMA Rep.

I will be attending the NHMA Committee of

Management Meeting on the 23rd and 24th November,

in Launceston, Tasmania.

This meeting is primarily arranged in Tasmania, so

that State Representatives can have the opportunity

to view the 2015 Rally Site at Carrick; and where we

will be able to meet without the distraction of a Rally,

enjoy the fellowship of Committee Members and

members of the 2015 Rally Committee.

As one of your State Representatives, I am available

to put forward any queries or problems you may have,

and consider should be tabled at this meeting. Please

contact me in writing before 20th November. Feel free

to phone me to discuss any of the above.

DREAMING OF BI-GONE DAYS: taken from the “The

Iron Men” album. (Les Jones)

Upon my cottage porch I sit and dream of happy days,

when old steam threshers rolled along the lanes and

dusty ways.

The smoke I see rolling high and hear that engines still

a puffing, hissing, sputtering when climbing up the

hill.

I liked to watch those clouds of steam, and loved the

whistles tone. I liked to hear the drive wheels ring it

gave me such a happy thrill.

I’d meet it half way up the lane and walk along beside.

And I’d envy my big brother as he ran the thing with

pride.

The engine seemed to have pride too, as though it

were alive. It seemed to try to please him, and would

purr when he would drive.

I thought I could not wait until the time I’d grow to be

a first class engineer, I hope as good as he.

But after a while the time did pass and I have had my

day. But when that little tractor came the steamer

passed away.

The little modern combine has replaced the threshing

crew. But modern harvests do not have the romance

that we knew.

So when our task on earth is done and we are called

above, I hope to meet that threshing crew that I had

learned to love.

And surely, when St Peter finds that we are standing

bye, he’ll send us out to thresh some wheat, some

barley, oats and rye.

And when we get out to the field I know that we shall

find an engine with full head of steam and a thresher

hitched behind.

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VINTAGE MACHINERY SALES

DONATIONS OF ANY OLD VINTAGE EQUIPMENT

WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED; AS THE SELLING

STALL IS GETTING A BIT THIN ON ITEMS FOR RESALE.

THIS AREA GENERATES GOOD REVENUE WHICH

HELPS FUND THE NEWSLETTER AND RESTORATION

PROJECTS, SO START CLEANING OUT THOSE RAT

PILES AND BRING IN YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS.

NOTE: Only 2 ads per person in each category

FOR SALE:

1. Numerous booklets “Model Engineering”, “Steam

Engines” and “Farming Gazette”.

WANTED (CONT.)

2. Truck tie down ratchet straps

Refer Willy at club stall next to sea container

3. Groper engine manufactured at Midland Workshop,

copy of Casey Jones eng. $3,000 Refer Ralph Thomas

94585435__________________________________

4. Elevating platform stairway style, raises up to 4.5M

comes with battery operated 12v power pack and is

towable with heavy duty front castors and rubber rear

wheels. Offers or swap for Vintage Farm machinery

Refer Les Jones 95254079 or 040795398

5. Sunshine 3hp 2 stroke engine on carriage $1,000

Refer Paul Freeman 93304868

_________________________________________

WANTED

1. Vintage Farm Machinery i.e. Sickle Bar Mower, Hay

Rake, Chaff Cutter etc.

2. Magnetos, dead or alive and Buzz coils for static

display. Refer Les Jones 95254079 or 0407945398

5. Cooper “Little Wonder” parts required for club

project. Magneto, Spark Plug (tapered), Gear 3 3/8”

dia x 52 times teeth and oilers

6. 1” wide flat belt x 2. 3.2M & 3.3M long Refer Paul

Freeman 93304868__________________________

7. 6”dia. Pulley, to suit 4hp Sundial eng. 3 mounting

holes w/out thread.

8. Flywheel and magneto coil to fit a Villiers 40 engine.

Does any member have an Auto-Culto “Deluxe” with

the above engine? Refer Dave Pether 92941774

9. Parts for a Commando engine (fuel tank and

brackets, carbie, Maggie dog drive, starter gear cog

and associated parts). Any Info Refer Clive Griffiths

95760304

3. Wing or Pilot engine parts - Refer Les Smith

92553434

4. New Way engine parts – Refer Dan Houston

95251881

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Norm Bates Auction – Welbungin.

By Ralph Thomas.

On one of our Easter trips a good number of years

ago, a group of members from the MPC were invited

through Frank Waters, to visit the property of Norm

Bates. Norm was a well-known identity throughout

the vintage machinery movement and had a great

collection for us to view.

Sadly, Norm recently passed away after suffering bad

health for some time. Anyone passing through many

of the Northern wheat-belt towns will see many

legacies, which will ensure the name of Norm Bates

will live on for a very long

time.

Wendy and I attended the

auction held on the

property on the 17th

October. We booked into

the Bencubbin Caravan

Park, which is conveniently

a short distance from the Welbungin Bates Property.

Arriving on site early to get a

good parking spot we found a

line of assorted vehicles,

comprised of trucks, cars and

utes; some with trailers

attached ready to take home

the bargains they hoped to

purchase. I am sure the area has never had such an

invasion of outsiders as that day.

Over a thousand bidders registered and they would

have been only a third of the crowd, in my estimation.

Naturally there were lots of people known to each

other and a lot of time spent shaking hands with old

friends and acquaintances, and wondering if they

would be bidding against you when trying to acquire

your bargain.

All the items were well laid

out in the usual rows, with

two covered sheds

containing the smaller

collectable items. There was

adequate time for all to

peruse the lots, providing you kept on the move and

not stop to chat with friends.

The auction, by Landmark, which comprised of a good

team of Auctioneers, got off to a flying start; with a

mine kibble fetching close on $200. I made the second

bid of $60 but was quickly left behind. This set the

trend and most things made high prices, a lot of which

were not of high quality. To become noticed as a

bidder you had to push in close to the Auctioneer, not

easy with the huge crowd milling around, and all

wanting to see the action. There was a PA system

provided and this helped identify what lot was under

the hammer, if you were on the fringes of the crowd.

The local service clubs took care of parking, security

and catering; and this would have been a big boost for

the finances of the community. I am sure they are

grateful to the Bates Family for this opportunity;

although it was a win-win situation for both parties.

At three o’clock it was time for the highlight of the

day, with the collection of tractors being auctioned.

Three pm was to correspond with internet and phone

bidders, some from the Eastern states and Overseas.

All of the tractors made

good prices, with the

exception of the Emerson

Brangindham, which was

passed in at $15.000.

Highest price of the day

was, as expected, $102,000

paid for the Benz Sendling. This made what I would

think a WA and maybe an Australian record. The

second highest price of the day was for the

Chamberlain 40K Prototype, which went to Kevin

Martin from Williams for

$40.000. Kevin and his wife

were camped next to us in

the caravan park and he

told me he came to the

auction with the express

intention of taking this

tractor home, so he was naturally very pleased with

his acquisition. This he said would be a great addition

to his collection of tractors, particularly the

Chamberlains.

Not much went at bargain prices however; I think I got

one of the few, when I purchased five acre meters for

$10.00, the other went to member Dan Houston who

bought the Land Rover for

$20.00. It cost him another

$20.00 to have it lifted onto

his trailer. This fee again

went to the local

community. There was no

buyer’s premium added to

the sale price, which is a rare thing these days and

was applauded by buyers.

We left about five pm and there were still quite a

number of lots to go in the collectables shed. I think it

was close on six pm before the final hammer fell.

This meant one man’s huge effort and dedication to

the historic past has now been split up and hopefully

will grace other collections. I think all the purchasers

should remember that they can thank Norm Bates for

rescuing and caring for their purchases until this time,

10

and now it is their turn to look after them and protect

our very important historical past.

Following is a selection of prices for other gear sold on

the day.

Lanz Bulldog Model P

$15.000; HSCS Steel Horse

$22.000; KL Bulldog

$18.500; Hart-Parr with Gas

Producer $20.500; Mc

Donald Imperial $11.500;

Rider Ericson Hot Air Engine

$8.000;

2 Ton Hoist $6.500; Fordson Bell City Crawler $16.500;

Munktells $12.000; Caterpillar 15 Crawler $16.700;

Sunshine Engine $900; McDonald Lighting Plant $400;

Blackstone 22hp Engine $2700; Hay Rake $525; Chaff

Cutter $500; Pony Works $2000; Dam Scoop $750;

Sunshine Grister $500;

2nd Caravan Licenced in WA. $1900;

Stuart Sheep Shearing Machine $1100; Shaft Co Sheep

Shearing Machine $2000; Scythe $175;

Horse Hobbles $350; Singer 6 Drawer Sewing Machine

$450; Kununoppin Operating Table $160;

Jones Electric Sewing Machine $2000; Wooden Trike –

hand made for the family in 1935 $450;

Federal Republic Truck $15000

Vintage Collectables looking for a new home

I have been made aware of a Dennis Circular Saw

which is available to anyone interested. It will require

a fair amount of work and some parts.

I also have information on a Galvanised Rolling

Machine and a lathe. The Lathe, I understand, is in a

dismantled state. The owner wants them to go to a

club or collection where they will be restored and put

on display.

For further information contact Ralph on 9458 5435

NATIONAL RALLY 2015 – LAUNCESTON – FEB 2015.

By Ralph Thomas

I am aware that it is still a fair way off but then, so is

Tasmania.

We need to start any plans now, if we intend to

attend/and or display at the next NHMA Rally.

I have already tentatively booked six sites while at

Mudgee, and as I am flying to Launceston towards the

end of this month, to attend a NHMA Committee

meeting, I would like to be able to verify numbers

when I meet the Rally Committee.

To do this, I will require a one night booking fee of $25

(powered site) to ensure the booking. This is not a

great deal to lose, should anybody decide against

going.

Added to this, we should all start thinking whether or

not we should decide to exhibit as a club, obviously on

a smaller scale than we did for Mudgee. Having said

that, we should all be willing to listen to ideas.

While I am in Tasmania, I will make enquiries as to

Ferry costs, as I believe the Rally Committee were

hoping to arrange a concession price for transporting

vehicles.

I look forward to hearing from you at the soonest

opportunity and will only be making bookings for

those of you who confirm it.

It is our intention to get there a few days early,

depending on when the site will be open, which will

give us an opportunity to look around Launceston and

the surrounding areas. I hope to have this fixed up

while I am there.

VALE JO OGBORNE

It is with great sadness that I wish to

advise members of the passing of Jo

wife of Peter Ogborne; a previous

member of the MPC.

Jo passed away on the 22nd October 2013. For those

who knew Jo they might remember her lovely bread

making. She used to supply the members at the Royal

Show display. Members were also welcomed at the

Ogborne residence while displaying at the Albany

shows.

Our Sympathy to Peter, Marcus and Antony.

Judy Ashfold

A ROYAL OCCASION- MBE to David Edington By Les

Jones

David is the founder of “The Stationary Engine”

magazine and is heavily involved with the heritage

scene in the UK. He was recently knighted by the

Queen at Windsor Castle for his services to “Industrial

Heritage”.

We know our efforts and satisfaction in collecting and

restoring heritage machinery is reward enough but it’s

good to see someone receive such recognition.

Congratulations to David from the Machinery

Preservation Club of Western Australia.