The Allora Heritage Weekend to be held at the Allora Showgrounds this coming Australia Day Long Weekend marks the 25th time this event has been scheduled.
Over that time, the event has grown from humble beginnings with a few heritage tractors and machinery showing people how things used to be done in yesteryear, to an event which hosts visitors from all over eastern Australia and even some international tourists who found the website and Facebook page. It is not unusual to host several thousand visitors, exhibitors and swap meet enthusiasts over the weekend.
The event generates many thousands of dollars in fresh money for Allora and the surrounding areas. Some of this can be measured, as proceeds from the event are distributed around the area. Back over time, in excess of $45,000 in cash and kind has been donated to the Allora Show Society, and many other community groups have been the recipients of donations associated with the proceeds of the event. Last year alone, $10,000 was donated to LifeFlight and $5000 was donated to Pringle Cottage to assist in the restoration work on an old Dodge which started life in Pilton and ended up being part of the Fire Brigade, serving many years as a pump. Just recently, a little over $4500 was donated to the Allora Show Society in the form of new PA systems, speakers, and microphones to improve the assets on the ground for the future and reduce the need for additional investment.
Over time, many wonderful exhibits have been presented at the Heritage Weekend. Who could forget Ralph Affleck, the builder of the one-man sawmill at Legume at 60 years of age, with his logskidder ‘Popeye’ which he designed himself and had built by a local engineer at Woodenbong using rear sections of old tractors, a supercharged Commer ‘knocker’ engine, a barrel from a WW2 trailed field gun – and who knows what else, racing around the showgrounds like a teenager! And Mick Bradford, another national treasure, with his heavy horses. And ‘Cookie’ Tickle with his damn cow that squirts unsuspecting passers-by. And the 114 year old Rambler Model G, Queensland’s most historic motor car, and many, many others. Last year it was steam engines – real, functional steam engines. You don’t get to see these things in the ordinary course of events. This year there will be new surprises – as always.
This year there will be certain changes to the program. These are yet to be fully finalised but will be available on the website at www.alloraheritageweekend.org prior to the weekend.
There will be a multi-draw raffle, jointly supporting Days for Girls and Rural Aid on the Saturday, and more entertainment for the main arena. The Allora Show Society will operate the bar – and retain the proceeds – and provide the Saturday evening dinner, thereby spreading the joy even further.
Program…
Saturday 25 January…
• 6am Gates open, Swap meet
• 9am Novelty events thanks to the Millbong Tractor Club
• 10am Glenenden Bullock Team. Watch 8 bullocks be yoked and draw a wagon about the grounds
• 10:45am Heavy Horse display. Mick Bradford’s team will lead the Grand Parade
• 11am Grand Parade Tractors
• 11:30am Grand Parade Cars
• 12:15pm Grand Parade Motor Bikes
• 12:30pm Official opening
• 12:45pm Grand Parade Trucks
• 1pm Multidraw raffle in the Sports Hall
• 2pm Open Parade Novelty events thanks to the Millbong Tractor Club
• 3pm Gleneden Bullock team
• 7pm Dinner in the bar area live music
Sunday 26 January
• 6am Gates open, Swap meet
• 9am Novelty events thanks to the Millbong Tractor Club
• 10am Gleneden Bullock Team and Heavy Horse display
• 11am Bush poets
• Midday Live music
• 1pm Final Grand Parade
