Community & Business
2 September, 2024
National Rally for Woolshed
The countdown to the National Historical Machinery Association’s 2025 National Rally event began last Friday at the Jondaryan Woolshed.
The Rally will take place at this time next year over three days and will feature the largest gathering of steam machinery ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 2025 National Rally will run from 23rd to 25th August at the Jondaryan Woolshed and will be followed by the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event from 26th to 31st August 2025.
It marks another step on the Jondaryan Woolshed’s revitalisation post-COVID, and will be the largest event held at the Woolshed in many years.
Australia’s largest gathering of heritage steam engines will be the main attraction at the event, which will also feature vintage tractors, cars, trailer rides, old trade demonstrations and heritage displays.
Alongside this will be the trademark events locals have come to expect when visiting the woolshed including damper making, music, and old-style school lessons at the Woodview State School building.
Steaming Under The Southern Cross Event President Nick Geraghty said the event is being hosted by a conglomerate of three groups - Steaming Under the Downs, Toowoomba and District Old Machinery Society (TADOMS) and the Queensland Steam and Vintage Machinery Society, based at Whiteside.
“We’ve all come together, and set up a new organisation called Steaming Under the Southern Cross,” he said.
“This is the 19th NHMA National Rally and it’s only the third time it’s been in Queensland.
“You actually have to bid for it, so that’s why we’ve put this trifecta together.”
Mr Geraghty said the local steaming groups would be going above and beyond for the event with preparations already underway.
“Normally the event only runs for three days - what makes this event special is our Steaming Under the Southern Cross Event, which will feature 500 stationary engines, 300 tractors and so much more.
“Believe it or not, there’s even a cream separator club coming to this event!
“There’s also a hot air engine and that’s something the public really doesn’t get to see all that often.
“It’ll be absolutely massive.”
Local politicians flocked to the launch event with Mayor Geoff McDonald and Crs Edwina Farquhar and Trevor Manteufel in attendance, along with State Member for Condamine Pat Weir all of whom praised the committee for bringing the event together.
Mayor McDonald described the National Historical Machinery Association Rally as being “the Olympics” of machinery in Australia.
“This time next year, an estimated 20 000 patrons will come through the gates, including international visitors,” he said.
“It’s set to be the largest gathering of its type ever in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Tickets will be available from 1st November.
