Sixteen years ago a group of Alexandra traders decided to hold a “Truck Show” principally to recognise that the timber industry heritage in the town was still strong and there was an impressive collection of log trucks locally.

Their objective was to give the town some vitality and a bit of a presence.

Next weekend on Sunday 9 June of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend the seventeenth annual Alexandra Truck Ute & Rod Show will be held in the main Grant Street and adjacent areas.

There will be all types of vehicles on show, several hundred in fact, that always enthral the huge crowd that comes along to take a look, to admire and even possibly plan a career as a vehicle restorer, interstate truck driver or just because they simply have a mechanical interest.

Over the years the event has created a very strong reputation.

As Committeeman Andrew Embling notes there are visitors who come from throughout Victoria and interstate just to spend the day amongst the line-up of rolling stock in the town.

The Show has also become an important fund raiser for local community projects and this year the seventeenth annual staging will be no different with Kellock Lodge’s local building appeal the beneficiary.

The program simply provides something for every family member, from model trucks to the biggest and latest prime movers, for hot rods that are the dream creation of their owners to beautifully restored historic vehicles of all types.

And there’s a public auction mid afternoon of a large collection of transport related gear and collectable items, many donated by valued supporters and sponsors.

The same main stage in Grant Street is also the centre piece of the free musical entertainment headed by three of Australia’s top country music performers.

But if you are not interested in vehicles there is plenty more for your free family day out in Alexandra as there is no entry charge.

Just come along and have a look; you can buy a hamburger, an egg and bacon sandwich, a cup of soup, coffee or tea and a wide choice of eat on the move refreshments from the fifteen or so stalls that are manned by local sporting and community groups as their major annual fund raising event.

Or you can watch the annual Vic Forests Woodchop Championship in Rotary Park where the best axeman in southern Australia compete for title awards with their razor sharp axes and racing chain saws.

Or take in the Alexandra Quilters exhibition who this year are moving their colourful hand crafted works into the Shire Hall on the corner of Perkins and Grant Streets, where a gold coin donation applies.

For those seriously involved in the transport industry there is also a special Roadsafe Goulburn Valley Heavy Vehicle Forum to be held in the CEACA building at 38a Downey Street.

Key presenters will be Ralph Willingham the chair of Roadsafe Goulburn Valley and Senior Sergeant Des Wright from the Shepparton Highway Patrol who will speak on “Heavy Vehicle Presentation”.

The program which begins at 11am will be opened by local member Cindy McLeish and there will be a free cuppa to conclude.

So come along to Alex on Sunday 9 June as it’s an all day program that has been officially recognised as one of the best home grown country town community events in Victoria.

For more information see www.alexandratruckshow.com.au or contact Andrew Embling on 0418 266 038.