Celebrate History At Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day

A last-minute appeal to a Federal Minister and a frantic effort by sugar mill workers to save the crushing are just two of the stories behind the amazing array of machinery that will be on display to the public at the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists’ (BMP) Open Day on 12 November. The Townsville and Mackay Machinery Clubs will also be there, ensuring the display is bigger than ever.  

Among the many attractions is the Marshall tractor.  Built in 1910, it was one of the tractors that replaced bullock teams, signaling a major advance in agricultural technology. When BMP took on the massive restoration task, the tractor had been exposed to 90 years of neglect and exposure. Some parts had to be machined from scratch by Club members. But it almost became a story of lost opportunity when a private collector identified the rare machine before it had been restored and had it packed for shipment to England. It took a last-minute intervention by the then Minister for Environment and Heritage to stop the shipment and refuse the application for export.  

Another popular attraction is the Walker No 1 Engine – the first engine manufactured by Walker’s Engineering in Maryborough in 1927 for Kalamia Mill. During emergencies, power from the engine could be fed down the mains along Beach Road to power the Ayr Hospital. This wonderful old engine last worked in the aftermath of Cyclone Althea to power the mill after the loss of mains power.  Tom Barton tells the story.  

“I worked at Kalamia on instruments between 1970 - 1975 for Hughie Smart and with Reg Edwards,” he said. “Bunny Smith was a senior engineer. Althea was a real test. We got caught with a yard full of cane and all of our steam powered electricity was knocked out. We used No 1 to slowly get our main steam boiler and unit up to restart the mill. We could only use one bagasse feeder or one fan, or one pump at any given time until we had sufficient steam and electricity. We were running around shutting off every use of power down to every light bulb to match load. Thankfully we got there or it would have been a major disaster for the mill and farmers to lose all that cane. No 1 came through!”

When no longer required, Wilmar offered the engine to the BMP.  Weighing around 25 tonnes (the flywheel weighs 7 tonnes), the Club disassembled, moved and restored the massive engine.  Make sure you see and hear this mighty engine at the Open Day.  

See too the steam engines, vintage tractors and Pioneer No 1 and Inkerman No 1 locos. Enjoy the sausage sizzle and appreciate the stories behind these impressive old machines. As you can imagine, the big engines consume a lot of fuel, so BMP is grateful once again to Liberty Rural for their generous support.

BMP was formed in 1984 to restore and preserve the Burdekin district’s machinery heritage and consists of a group of dedicated volunteers. As part of its working museum, the Club operates a fitting shop, a machine shop and a blacksmith shop.  The Club is always looking for new, enthusiastic members of any age so come along to the Open Day and if you would like to work alongside other machinery enthusiasts and learn new skills, ask about becoming a member.  Help to restore and preserve these magnificent machines and become a part of their stories.  

BMP Member Cathy McDonnell

WHAT: Burdekin Machinery Preservationists’ Open Day

WHERE: Brandon Heritage Precinct

WHEN: Sunday, November 12 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

ENTRY: Adults $10 adults, children free

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The Marshall tractor. Photo supplied