Over the last fifteen years the Alexandra Truck Ute & Rod Show has grown to be a display that is almost three kilometres long on the bitumen in Grant Street, is based on many hundreds of wheels and boasts many thousands of horsepower.

And it invariably delights everyone who comes along especially since there is no admission charge so it is simply a great free family day out!

Sunday of Queen’s Birthday Weekend

This year’s Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show, the sixteenth in the series, and held again on the Sunday June 10 of the Queen’s Birthday weekend, should post some new records.

The weekend opens on Saturday afternoon when most of the mobile gear rolls into town and those entering their vehicles gain their preferred parking spots.

Every Type of Mobile Gear

On the Sunday all the mobile gear – giant interstate haulage rigs many polished to the highest degree by their drivers and owners, who all chase the Truck of the Show Award and other recognitions, plus timber, logging and contractor equipment, together with an incredible array of hot rods, utes and motorbikes line up in Grant Street – Alexandra’s main street – for the judging.

In fact marshalling all the equipment and vehicles begins before daybreak on Sunday morning.

Of course all this gear is specially prepared for show and shine being in most cases lovingly and creatively restored in the case of the rods, utes and bikes and everything is displayed with pride by their owners!

Music a Feature

Each year the Committee engages keynote bands and performers to provide the entertainment.

There is always a focus on country and western or popular cover bands.

This year some of the groups appearing include 400 Watts, Harry Hookey and noted television personality Geoff ‘Coxy’ Cox and his group The Fitzgerald Brothers will lead the music bill for the Show.

Major Public Auction

There’s also a major public auction including a large range of transport related items held from the main stage in Grant Street which gets underway at 2.30 pm.

Trophy presentations follow from the same location at around 3.30pm.

But the Sunday is not just about mobile gear.

Quilting Work on Show

There is a popular quilting exhibition held in the Masonic Hall at the top end of the main Grant Street by the Alexandra Quilters group.

Their colourful display is always popular and with a gold coin on entry it’s a contribution that goes to a worthy local charity.

Woodchop a Feature

This year there is again one of Victoria’s biggest Woodchop Competitions where the fittest and fastest local and interstate axemen compete in a series of competitions for excellent cash prize money sponsored by the Victorian Axemen’s Association.

As the last event of the local wood chopping season, the competitors are at peak fitness and the standing block and 2.8 metre tree climb and cut competition are two of the crowd pleasers.

Plus there are divisions for senior and junior axemen with a couple of female competitors also expected to compete again to show that the woodchop – a feature of rural Australia since about 1870 – is not just a bloke’s event!

And with the traditional time handicapping exciting finishes are certain.

The Woodchop Competition is sponsored by VicForests the agency responsible for the sustainable harvest and sale of timber from Victoria’s State Forests.

A Real Community Benefit

Chairman of the Alexandra Truck, Ute & Rod Show Committee Matt Ellis says while the attendance figure is impossible to calculate informed estimates are that between twelve and fifteen thousand visitors attend on the Sunday alone and the event is strongly supported by the local community and businesses.

Most local traders also open their doors on the day with all accommodation in the local Murrindindi region is invariably booked out.

Dollars Ploughed Back into the Community

“Thanks to our sponsors in particular we usually finish with a profit and we distribute funds to a number of local community and worthy causes so it is truly something by the community for the community.

“In fact after last year’s Show the Committee handed a donation of $35,000 to the Alexandra Hospital which was applied to some finishing works and advanced equipment for the just opened new Hospital.

“In addition over a dozen local community groups earn a significant ‘profit’ on the day from the many food and drink stands they operate.

“We estimate that the contribution to school, kindergarten, community, charitable and sporting auxiliaries would have exceeded $100,000 that has gone back into the local community over the last decade alone” Mr Ellis says.

Make it a Weekend

Everyone is invited to come along and enjoy their day with the great diversity of attractions in the Alexandra regional area.

The Truck Ute & Rod Show website at www.alexandratruckshow.com.au is regularly updated with information on events, times and other information.

 

Contacts for further information:

Committee Personnel
Andrew Embling – 0418 266 038
Gordon Simpson 0409 577 212