The 2025 Deniliquin Collector’s Club Spring Rally at the weekend saw all types of collections shine.
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Despite attendance being down this year, several collectors and spectators enjoyed themselves.
Collector’s Club member Darryl Whateley said attendance from both locals and travellers was impacted by events in the region.
This included the Tocumwal Airshow and a show and shine event in Finley on Sunday.
“It’s been a bit quieter this year,” he said on Sunday, which was day two of the event.
“There are a few different events on which has meant our numbers have been down, but we’ve had a ball.”
Mr Whateley said one of the highlights of the weekend was the popular tractor trek on Saturday.
“A dozen tractors drove to one of the biggest farms in the area, with some big paddocks out at Bullatale.
“There were several varieties, including a few Massey Fergusons and a Chamberlain.
“It took most of the day, doing close to 90km.
“We went out at about 20km/h, which was a nice and comfortable speed.
“The oldest model that went out was probably the 1950 model Ferguson.
“We had quite an expansive group, was about half travellers and half locals.
“Among those of us participating were a few from Wedderburn.
“The weather was beautiful, and we had a good day out.”
Held Saturday and Sunday at Deniliquin’s Memorial Park, the rally had a specific focus on Harley-Davidson motorcycles at the centre of the various collections on show.
Collectors Club representative Helen Baker said because Sunday threatened to rain, some left earlier than anticipated.
The weather also impacted on the car show ‘n’ shine on Sunday, but Miss Baker still said the variety on show was a hit with people travelling from far and wide to visit the event.
“We like to make sure people know we’re not just a car club or a machinery club, but an everything club.
“If people have a collection of anything, we’re happy to have it on display.
“We’ve enjoyed it and so have the visitors who have come from quite a wide area across New South Wales and beyond.”
The pavilion was full, with collections of clothing and memorabilia totalling in their hundreds, and attracted many people over both days.
Included in those keen to have a look were quite a few locals and returning collectors enjoying the entire weekend.
Multiple David Brown tractors from Mayrung and Deniliquin were on display, including models dating back to 1972-73 and 1955-56.
In operation throughout the day were two Ronaldson Tippet engines dating back to the mid-1940s, owned by Craig Hunter and John McQualter who travelled across from Shepparton.
Deniliquin collectors including Richard King, Trevor Butcher, Lyn Rose, David Nolte, Barry Rutledge, Rose and Bruce Wells all had their classic cars on display until Sunday afternoon for spectators to marvel at.
There were also dozens of caravans that had travelled, including a group from Somerville led by Ray and Margaret Griffin with their refurbished 1937 Pontiac and 1952 Don Caravan they purchased 30 years ago.
The Griffins made the journey to Deni in the Don, early last week, stopping through several regional Victorian towns before arriving at the Spring Rally.
Several visitors with connections to Deni also decided to check out the Spring Rally on the weekend.
This included Barbara and Ken Davies, former Deni residents that now live in Alexandra, by a spur of the moment decision to drop by due to the Collector’s Club Spring Rally offering.
Also intrigued by the Spring Rally was Jodie Daly visiting from Croydon, Sydney. She is the great-granddaughter of Stanley Hunt, former owner of the Deniliquin Pastoral Times.