Trek 2007 – Cunderdin / Sandstone / Wannamal

A short three week trek with 10 tractors and 10 support vehicles left Cunderdin on Tuesday 18 September to travel to Sandstone to join in celebrations of 100 years of local government. Trekkers enjoyed a tour of Cunderdin Agricultural College and saw students working and learning new skills. Lunch was at Wyalkatchem and members visited the wheat bin museum housing a unique collection of restored tractors and vintage machinery. At Nungarin trekkers were hosted for dinner and morning tea by the local Historical group during a two day camp over. A tour of the district included Mangowine Homestead, the first CWA building in WA (from Hines Hill, now relocated at Mangowine) and the WW2 Military Museum.

On Thursday at Mukinbudin the ladies were taken on a town walk to view the cottage gardens and have afternoon tea. Meanwhile the men looked at the new machinery shed, restored tractors and machinery. Members were invited to a Tracmac field day and we were able to see an extensive range of restored tractors, cars, machinery and caravans. Trekkers then travelled onto Westonia for a farm stay of two nights. The Westonia Shire hosted the Eastern Agricultural Zone meeting and invited club members to join in for lunch. En-route for a station stay at Diemels, members toured the Portman Mining open cut iron ore mine at Mt Windarling and were guests for lunch. Lake Barlee Station and Yuinmery Station were great campsites before trekkers arrived at Sandstone to join in the centenary celebrations. Celebrations included a street parade involving the local community and in which club members dressed in period costume and were followed by the 9G tractors. Much fun and frivolity was had by all trekkers as they participated in all the events. During the celebration formalities the Club presented a donation to the Sandstone Shire for a student scholarship at the local school.

Trekkers then travelled via Mt Magnet to Boogardie Station where we camped for the night and celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of two club members. Trekkers continued their westward journey to Yalgoo, visiting the museum and historic buildings. On the way to Morawa, trekkers visited the Christian Brothers Tardun Agricultural College and were taken on a tour of the buildings and facilities. At Morawa members took in some of the local district sights including the Koolanooka iron ore mine. The Morawa Learning Group provided an evening meal with a guest speaker. Trekkers then headed south to Perenjori for morning tea courtesy of the local Telecentre. At Buntine and Wubin club members viewed an extensive private collection of restored and to be restored vintage tractors and machinery. At Dalwallinu the Lions Club hosted trekkers for an evening meal. On our final day members travelled via Wongan Hill to New Norcia where members enjoyed a tour of restored buildings and a talk on the life and history of the Monastery. The over night farm camp at Wannamal included a great meal and celebrations capping off an enjoyable three week trek. No major mechanical problems were experienced by either tractors or support vehicles – just a couple of flat tyres.