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March - 'The Harry Ferguson Tractor Club of Australia' - Geoff Lee and Maxine Gardiner

3/4/2020

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As passionate members of the Harry Ferguson Tractor Club of Australia, Geoff Lee and Maxine Gardiner of Molyullah spoke about the legendary little grey tractors at our March Stock and Land gathering.

Geoff said the club was dedicated to helping fellow members in their restoration and preservation of the tractors, associated implements and memorabilia.  He said one member had about 100 Fergys while he and Maxine owned 14. There are about 800 members Australia wide.
​
Key to the success of the tractors, was Harry’s invention of three point linkage hydraulics in 1932, enabling implements to be accurately and easily operated. That was largely motivated by Henry Ford’s Fordson tractors of the time, having a most disagreeable habit of rearing over backwards and killing the driver, if the attached trailed plough for example snagged a stump.

In 1948 the first Ferguson tractors in Australia, petrol TEA 20 models, sold for 650 to 680 pounds ($1300 to $1360)   Production finished in 1956 with 517,651 little grey tractors made in that time. There were petrol, diesel, kerosene and lamp oil models made for different markets.
Geoff said all parts, except engine blocks, are still made for the tractors.

Maxine told the group that members annually made substantial and rugged group trips on their tractors.

In 2013, a memorable one involved 12 tractors driving from Cooktown to the tip of Cape York and that involved Geoff and Maxine towing a tractor 3000km, just to get to Cooktown. Others came from Tasmania and WA.
​
The Cape trip involved negotiating basic roads at 15km/hr and diesel tractors in the group, towing petrol models through numerous river crossings on the Laura, Coen, Weipa, Bamaga route.
Picture
Geoff Lee
David Palmer
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    About 'Stock and Land'

    Are you a regular watcher of ‘Country Wide’ or reader of ‘Stock and Land’ or ‘The Weekly Times’?  Did you grow up on, run, still run, or downshift into Benalla from a farm?  Perhaps you studied/taught food and agriculture related courses or worked in an area related to agriculture?  Or perhaps, like most of us, you are interested in where food comes from.
    This group aims to provide a regular forum for members with interest and experience in agriculture to discuss agricultural issues and current developments in farming.  Monthly two-hour sessions will  feature well informed speakers from particular areas of farming who will share their story, their understanding of current issues and developments in their field.  This is followed by questions and discussions.   When time permits, the group also discusses current farming news and shares farming stories.  

    Meeting Times

    1st Tuesday of the month from 10 am to 12 midday.

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    David Palmer 5762 4468

    Topics/Speakers

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    Alison Earp
    Animal Welfare & Ethics
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    Baddaginnie Run Winery
    Beersheba Stud
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    Carole Marple
    Clover Seed Production
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    Damian Finnegan
    David Palmer
    Devenish Silos
    Dookie Dairy
    Dr Dennis O'Brien
    Drysdale Sheep
    Farming Innovation
    Former Shadow Minister Of Agriculture
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    Hook And Spoon
    Hop Production In Myrhee
    Hops Production In Myrhee
    Kevin Mitchell
    Lach Lidgerwood
    Libby Price
    Margaret Nelson
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    Phillip Toland
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    Ray O'Shannessy
    'Right Here
    Right Now'
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    Sandy Leatham
    Snow Barlow
    Sue Campbell OAM
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    Toland Merino Stud
    Wendy Beer
    Wine Production

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