A CONVOY of trucks from South Australia and Victoria rolled into the showgrounds on Saturday morning for the second annual Mount Gambier Family Truck Show.
Children and adults alike bonded over a range of free and low-cost activities headlined by more than 130 trucks on show.
Hundreds of people walked through the gates on the day, donating a gold coin to welfare agency ac.care to help less fortunate families this Christmas.
Event committee secretary Michelle Nicholls said they were “ecstatic” with the overall turnout.
“It was a very successful event – I looked down at one point during the day and the car park was full and that really makes it all worth it,” Ms Nicholls said.
“We had a lot of companies involved who all give up their time to make it an old-fashioned fun family day out.”
Trucks made the journey from Penola to Mount Gambier, arriving at the showgrounds just before 10am for the show.
Justin Wenham and Mel Ware brought their Mahnew Transport truck from the Adelaide Hills and they identified the show as an opportunity to repay the South East community.
“Mount Gambier, Millicent, Kingston and the western districts of Victoria have given me a lot of work, so now this was a chance to give something back,” Mr Wenham said.
“We have been a big part of the Mannum Truck Show and a lot of the trucks from down here have supported that show, so there’s no reason we should not support theirs.”
While trophies and awards were on offer for different trucks on the day, Mr Wenham said any recognition would be a bonus.
“I’m not here as a trophy hunter, I’m here to have a good time,” he said.
“If I drive out of here with nothing, I’m still a happy little chappy.”
Steve Vorwerk also travelled from Adelaide and praised the organisation of the show.
“I have been to a lot of truck shows and this is among the best for sure, I admire everyone involved with the organisation of the event,” Mr Vorwerk said.
“I wandered around all day and everyone has the time of day to talk to you, so I have really enjoyed my time here.”
Every truck at the show has its own story and Mr Vorwerk was happy to elaborate on the background of his vehicle.
“It was built for the logging industry in Tasmania, then it became a road train in Perth,” he said.
“Now I have made it into a campervan and we just travel around the country in it and have a lot of fun.”
While the trucks of all shapes and sizes were the major event attraction, a number of other activities attracted large crowds.
Buster the monster truck had queues from the moment the gates opened, while children also enjoyed activities such as mini-golf and laser-tag.
“Children and even adults seemed to be running around from one thing to the next all day,” Ms Nicholls said.
“Something as simple as the Apex road train, which was always full, brought so much pleasure to so many people.”
Ultimately, the day aimed to raise funds for several not-for-profit organisations, which provide assistance to families during the festive season.
“We hope to have the final figures counted soon, but we expect it to top the money raised in the inaugural year of the event,” Ms Nicholls said.
“We will then distribute those funds to a number of different charities.”
