5000 keep on truckin’

By Bridget Brady
MORE than 5000 people rolled out to enjoy the sights and sounds of the 13th annual Tooradin Tractor Pull and Truck Show on the weekend.
Tip trucks, logging trucks and prime movers made up some of the trucks in about 20 categories in the truck show at the beginning of Saturday’s event at Rutter Reserve.
The tug-a-truck event entertained the crowds for the second year, with teams of six men working up a sweat to be the first to pull a truck over the line with a large rope.
Wood cutting with hotted-up chainsaws, helicopter flights, go-karts and carnival amusements for the children were among some of the other sights at the event. No one missed out on the action, with replays shown on the big screen.
The tractor pull started from 3pm with big, small and modified tractors taking centre stage.
Money raised from the event goes back into the local community, with about $30,000 distributed to local sporting clubs and community groups last year.
Tooradin Tractor Pull Association treasurer Trevor van der Heyden said it would not be possible to hold the event – and therefore raise money for the community – if not for the support of local businesses.
“A big thank you to all of our sponsors,” he said. “They really put their hands in their pockets and helps get the event up and going.”
Mr van der Heyden said the Tooradin Tractor Pull and Truck Show was the only event to combine both a tractor pull and a truck show.
“Every year the event gets bigger and better. It is a good family day out,” he said.