Parkes Tractor Trekkers On The Road Again

The Parkes Tractor Trekkers, a team of nine locals including Richard Jefferay, Lind­say Wall, Brenton Trainor, Rodney Barnes, Mitch Jefferay, Dave O’Grady, Troy Parker, Al O’Grady and Daniel McIntyre, have set off on a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

In 2023 the group took eight 70 year old Ferguson TEA 20 tractors on a 600km journey out of Bourke over 6 days to raise almost $40,000 for prostate cancer. They had so much fun that they’re heading off again.

The team had an early morning start in Parkes on Saturday 14 June and hit the backroads to Bogan Gate via Cooks My­alls and Blow Clear Forest, at break neck speeds sometimes reaching 25 km/h.

As was to be expected with 75 year old tractors that have been saved from their rusty demise in paddocks and sheds, there was an early breakdown and Rodney Barnes ended up towing Jeremy Clark for over 50km just to achieve their day one goal.

There were 12 tractors in all and a beauti­ful fine day despite the cold. The group coordinated with the Central West Car Club who met them at the Bogan Gate pub for lunch and a few beers with some live enter­tainment and plenty of banter and chatter.

The Bogan Gate pub didn’t disappoint with great food and a great atmosphere. Plenty of merchandise was sold and there was a silent auction of sorts which was lots of fun and very successful, adding more to the fundraising for such a worthy cause.

It will be full steam ahead for the group’s departure from Bourke to Birdsville starting Monday 11 August and arriving in Birdsville Saturday 23 August.

Anybody wanting to support the Parkes Tractor Trekkers can donate at fundraise.

pcfa.org.au/tractortrek