Visitors load up for truck show

Angus Mcdowell  TBW Newsgroup
Angus Mcdowell enjoys exploring the trucks on show at this year's Mount Gambier Family Truck Show.

Angus Mcdowell TBW Newsgroup
EXPLORING: Angus Mcdowell enjoys exploring the trucks on show at this year’s Mount Gambier Family Truck Show.

MOUNT Gambier residents awoke to the sound of truck horns on Saturday morning as more than 80 heavy vehicles rolled into town as part of the Family Truck Show convoy.

The trucks started in Penola and travelled along the Riddoch Highway to arrive at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds, where hundreds of people flocked to view the vehicles.

Mount Gambier Family Truck Show chairman Peter Burchell hailed the event a success, adding crowds were on par with previous years.

“Although we are yet to see official numbers, we do believe it was equal to last year with better displays,” he said.

“Truck numbers were great for the convoy and the competition side of the day went well.”

Despite the chilly start, people turned out en masse to support the event, with a range of all ages activities and entertainment.

“Overall it was a pretty spectacular display for Mount Gambier,” Mr Burchell said.

“The presentation of the historic trucks from the area were acknowledged and it was a great display.”

Simon And Allyra Volgelsans (left) Steve Tipene, Ash And Parker Scott, Ben And Amelia Rice, Branton Levi, Jamie Weston TBW Newsgroup
TRUCK SHOW WINNERS: Simon and Allyra Volgelsans, Steve Tipene, Ash and Parker Scott, Ben and Amelia Rice, Brenton Levi and Jamie Weston who all won awards at the 2019 Family Truck Show.

Mr Burchell said the committee would donate the gatekeepings to ac.care.

“We will be making a contribution to ac.care on no less than the same funding sum from the event last year,” Mr Burchell said.

“We will be able to support them once again based on the numbers attended over the day.”

“We would like to thank the public for supporting the event and the community for attending.

“We would also like to thank the traders and those who support us from outside the region and recognise the importance of supporting the event.”

Mr Burchell said the committee was seeking community feedback to further develop the event.

Lynette Martin And Santa TBW Newsgroup
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Mayor Lynette Marin joins in on the Christmas spirit at the Family Truck Show as she poses with Santa.

“We are hoping the community will continue to support us by providing feedback to us on the small things to improve for next year,” he said.

“Next year will be hosted a week later to ensure the weather is better and prevent clashes with other truck shows.”