The Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club is set to bring vehicle heritage to life with four events, including a Veteran Vehicle and Steam Rally, held over several days at Burnett Heads.
The line up of events, including a Car and Steamer Show and Parade followed by a Gas Light Night Parade on Saturday 7 September, is set to attract visitors from across the region for a week of nostalgia, engineering marvels and community spirit.
Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club members Terry Lewis and Chris Sorensen said the Veteran Vehicle and Steam Rally would showcase some of the of the world’s rarest vehicles, and they thanked Bundaberg Regional Council for supporting the event.
Terry said the community was invited to take in the wonder while listening to the hissing and chugging of large steam-traction, stationary and scaled-down steam engines.
“Burnett Heads will travel over a century back in time, to the days when steam was king and petrol cars were in their infancy,” he said.
“Everyone is invited to join our time travel.
“Watch over 60 vehicles from the dawn of motoring in action, including some of the rarest cars in the world.”
Chris said steam vehicle enthusiasts would be treated to a reenactment of the historical repeal of the red flag act, which was also celebrated in London each year.
“The red flag act required a person to walk in front of a vehicle carrying a red flag to warn people that a car was coming,” Chris said.
“The public are very much encouraged to come along dressed in period clothing – even just a hat or a bow tie.
“Dressing in period costumes adds to the atmosphere and Burnett Heads village is the place to be to do just that.”
Mayor Helen Blackburn encouraged the community to head along to enjoy the local vehicle event.
“The community will travel back in time as the Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club celebrates the region’s automotive history including a Veteran Vehicle and Steam Rally,” she said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for young and old to witness a collection of cars from yesteryear in action right here in the Bundaberg Region.”
Micro Grant Program supports local organisations
Terry thanked Council for supporting the Veteran Vehicle and Steam Rally through the Micro Grant Program.
“We applied for it and when our application was approved it was cheers all around,” Terry said.
“It took some pressure off our finances.
“Both the VCCA and the BVVC are not-for-profit organisations, and the rally does not create any external revenue – everything we offer to the public is free.
“This means everything has to be paid for by the members who volunteer a week of their time, pay transport for their vehicles to Bundaberg, display and show them.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Community Liveability, Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Carmen McEneany said the Micro Grant Program provided financial assistance to community groups and associations to help ease the financial burden.
“Council recognises the vital roles local organisations play within our community and through this grant program they can continue to focus on what they do best,” Cr McEneany said.
“Events like the Veteran Vehicle and Steam Rally benefit not only the locals behind the wheel in creating it, but also the wider community who get to take part and enjoy it.”
Veteran Vehicle and Steam Rally
Daily displays
When: 5-11 September between 8 – 9 am
Where: Outside Burnett Heads Holiday Park
Car and steamer show and parade
When: Saturday 7 September 2 pm to 6.30 pm, with the parade at 3 pm
Where: Outside the Lighthouse Hotel, Burnett Heads
Gas Light Night Parade
When: Saturday 7 September 6.30pm
Where: Starting at Zunker Street, Burnett Heads
Sunday Markets
When: 8 September 8 am
Where: Jack Norgate Oval, Burnett Heads
