Truck Show? Yes, No and Sort Of

News

15 Dec

WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2021?

As we come to the end of 2020 and the cancellation of truck shows across the country, what can we look forward to in 2021?

The short answer is that, for the most part it is too soon to know. Decisions have been made on events that occur early, but time will tell regarding those that fall further into the year.

It is important to understand that a ‘Truck Show’ is not just a bunch of folk turning up for a get-together. There are grounds to be booked, council (and often Police) approval to be obtained. There’s the co-operation of groups such as Rotary and The Lions. There’s local businesses who may wish to have stalls at the event. There’s entertainment to be booked and mobile coffee shops – an absolute necessity – to be lined up. Most importantly and most expensively there’s public liability insurances to be bought and paid for.

And let’s not forget the many supporters of truck shows that donate goods for auction or as prizes to the winners of the various categories. In Koroit’s case this equates to some $40,000 of goods and cash which is mind-boggingly generous of (mainly local) businesses.

It would be manifestly unfair to those sponsors to run a show where numbers may be limited due to COVID 19 restrictions.

From a Victorian perspective this is what we know to date:

Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show:

Cancelled. Normally held in early to mid-January.

‘After much consideration the organisers have made the unfortunate and difficult decision to cancel the January 2021 Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show. The cancelled event is due to the current conditions of the Covid 19 pandemic. With a current allowable public gathering numbers, this event is simply not viable.

This decision has been made considering public health advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, City of Greater Geelong, Royal Geelong Agricultural and Pastoral Society and other event stakeholders.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal and ongoing sponsors, exhibitors, visiting clubs and organisations, volunteers and patrons for their ongoing support.

The Vintage Machinery Section, and Geelong Classic Truck and Machine recap show looks forward to the prospect of putting on an event in 2022.’

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KOROIT TRUCK SHOW – JANUARY 24.

Organisers of the Koroit Truck Show have made the tough decision to not go ahead in 2021. A show that has become widely known for its incredible prizes given out to the various categories (totalling some $40,000 in 2020), committee member, Graeme Morris quite rightly pointed out that as an organisation they could not be cavalier with sponsors and donors generosity. “We look forward to being back bigger and even better in 2022.”

Koroit……..COVID CONVOY TO KOROITJanuary 23, 24 — **Koroit**
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**COVID CONVOY TO KOROIT**
**January 23, 24**

We got us a Convoy…

Shirl McCosker is well known as a co-founder of the Koroit Truck Show. He gave up his role last year with a move to Victoria’s Gippsland area. That hasn’t diminished his love for the Koroit show or the town itself.

“If I’d still been involved with the truck show I would have totally agreed with the committee’s decision not to go ahead next year. It is too soon to risk people’s money and generosity.

“Now living in Gippsland it was always my intent to drive across to Koroit for the show so when I heard that it had been cancelled it didn’t take long for me to think, ‘Well, why don’t I go anyway. I reckoned I might not be the only one keen to do a road trip. To date I’ve had around 50 calls from people keen to join in.

“To be clear this is not a truck show, it is a bunch of people in their trucks, going for a Saturday drive to Koroit and tossing down for the night at the Showgrounds there. It’s a good opportunity for a lot of us to get together and catch up after what’s been tough year for most and it’s a way to put a bit of money back in to the town. If the townsfolk want to come and have a gander at the trucks that turn up and I’m sure they would be welcome as long as they are practising Covid safe behaviour.”

Covid Convoy to Koroit will be leaving these locations at approximately:

Officer BP 9:30 AM

Colac McDonalds 11 AM

Camperdown BP 11:45 AM

Warrnambool Saleyards from 1 PM where everyone will regroup and head to Koroit for the final stop.

“The run is to support local businesses, have a feed and a good old catch up.”

For any other information call Shirl on 0429 812 464.

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SPIRIT OF THE HUME: Broadford, Vic.

To go ahead February 6 & 7

The above poster says it all. The HCVC is going the whole hog with stalls music and a dinner on the Saturday night. We imagine you would need to book early to avoid disappointment.

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ATHS LANCEFIELD. Feb 21 – 22

No and Sort Of

The American Truck Historical Society has decided against holding a public show at the Lancefield Grounds next February. “There is too much uncertainty surrounding covert 19 restrictions,” said president, Rosco Tanner. “That said, we felt it necessary to book the grounds to keep that weekend available for ATHS in future years.

“As a consequence we invite all ATHS members to come up to Lancefield on the weekend of Fairbury 21, 22 to attend our Annual General Meeting on the Sunday at 11 AM and to give something back to the town of Lancefield as they have given to us over the years.

“I would remind members that there will be no food or barbecues available so please BYO everything. I’m sure, as always, we’ll have a lot of fun making our own fun,” said Rosco. “Hopefully come September we’ll be right to go with the Echuca bash.”

Of course, if the public decide to wander into the sportsground at Lancefield and have a gander at the trucks… well that’s on them.

Rosco Tanner…….. — **Rosco Tanner**
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HEYWOOD TRUCK AND UTE SHOW – February 27.

Cancelled for the same reasons as many others. The organisers do not wish to do a disservice to their sponsors, or indeed to the many trucks that might roll in, only to be turned away depending on Covid restrictions that may or may not be in place at the time. Like all others, Heywood vow to be back full tilt in 2022.

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CRAWLIN’ THE HUME

Cancelled in 2020 for all the obvious reasons, Crawlin’ the Hume (Melbourne to Albury) should not have run again until 2022, with Haulin’ the Hume (Sydney to Yass) due to run in 2021.

Enter Bruce Gunter and the Sydney crew who magnanimously passed the baton back to Rob French and co, so that Crawlin’ will now take place next year. Haulin’ (since 2011) and Crawlin’ (since 2012) have become must attends on the trucking calendar.

Next year’s event will be to honour co-founder of Crawlin’ the Hume, Roger ‘Slasha’ Marchetti who sadly passed away in 2019.

We know that this run next year will do you proud, Slasha.

To keep up with details of the event go to the Crawlin the Hume Facebook page.

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ALEXANDRA TRUCK UTE AND ROD SHOW.

Queen’s Birthday Weekend, June.

Event organiser, Andrew Embling says that barring any unforeseen circumstances the Alexandra show will go ahead as normal.“2021 is a pretty special year for us, being the 25th anniversary of our truck show. Whilst nothing can be set in stone, we wou… — Event organiser, Andrew Embling says that barring any unforeseen circumstances the Alexandra show will go ahead as normal.
“2021 is a pretty special year for us, being the 25th anniversary of our truck show. Whilst nothing can be set in stone, we would hope and indeed are planning for the show to go ahead.”

**Billy Rice with his Ballinger Transport K104B at Alexandra in 2019**

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Trucking with Kermie will keep you abreast of any changes as and when they occur. If you have any information you wish to share regarding truck shows in your area please email us at: kermie@truckinwithkermie.com or phone Kermie on 0418 139 415 and we shall happily pass that information on.

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