A Thames Valley vintage tractor enthusiast is keen to adopt a national event like colleagues across the Tasman.

Jeremy Welsh, who runs the Model Barn at Thames, has attended the Australian National Historical Machinery Rally on a number of occasions and believes this could be replicated in New Zealand.

While Kiwi vintage tractor and machinery groups have regular individual events, Jeremy says the only collective show is in the Lower North Island, with four clubs taking turns at hosting an annual event on a rotational basis.

He has attended national rallies in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, with an organising committee receiving proposals from collective groups of clubs from the respective states to host the biennial event.

In New Zealand, Jeremy says a national show could be alternated between the North and South Islands and held annually or every second year.

“You have got to move it around so the public and the various clubs get the opportunity to attend,” says Jeremy.

“The clubs’ own events could become the national one in a particular year.”

Examples include Wheat & Wheels at Methven, and Wheels at Wanaka.

Jeremy says there does not seem to be a coordinated show season in New Zealand, with many events clashing with others.

He believes every club in the country should have one representative on a national committee, which would decide where the national show would be held.

As in the Australian scenario, Jeremy says each club or group of clubs wishing to host the national show could lobby the committee with their proposal.

He says a national show could also feature vintage farm machinery and ploughing, to complement the vintage tractors.

“I just want to start the ball rolling and get a discussion going,” says Jeremy.

He believes a high profile ‘big’ event may be more attractive to the public and enthusiasts rather than a plethora of small shows.

“It would be great to have a bigger spectacle.”

The Australian shows he has attended featured more than 1000 vintage tractors, trucks and stationary engines from across the country.

Jeremy says taking his idea further requires “conversation from interested parties” to gauge interest.

From a farming background at Thames, he has been interested in model vintage tractors and farm machinery since the 1980s.

Check out: www.vintagebarn.co.nz or contact your local vintage tractor and machinery club.