LAT LONG
112 Australian Geographic
Population: 38
Major industries: livestock, cropping
Closest large town: Warialda, 40km south
Panther population (in art form): 7
Number of tractors at pull week: 50+
Oldest tractor: 1914 International Mogul
For more information: ‘Coolatai Vintage
Tractor Pull’ on FacebookBEARINGS: COOLATAI
pull was did not deter them from holding one, and, in
2010, despite the torment of a lingering drought, the
inaugural Coolatai Vintage Tractor Pull attracted
more than 40 tractors and bulldozers and their com-
mitted owners. From there the event has grown, and
each May competitors and spectators from across
Australia descend for a weekend of genuine country
hospitality. “Essentially a pull sees tractors of similar
horsepower compete to pull a concrete-laden sled,”
Chris explains, “and for vintage machinery enthusiasts,
this is great sport.”
Gavin Walker, who grew up on a neighbouring
station, returns each year to compete. Spend some
time with him and his tractors and you will soon see
why. “This little darling is my Dexta,” he says as he
guides you past a 1959 27HP Fordson Dexta. “And
this is my diesel mobility scooter, a 1966 57HP
Chamberlain 306, and this is Mrs Mack, my ol’ 1988
Valueliner truck – the last of the good ones.” Passion
rings rich in his booming voice.
As Gavin lines up to have the Dexta chained to the
sled, another character loud of voice and colour hops
along on his wooden leg, twirls his handlebar mous-
tache and impresses the crowd with his encyclopaedic
knowledge of all things tractor. This is Ian Haycock,
aka the ‘Sergeant Major’. “This is how life should be,”
he enthuses. “Look at the family spirit of this commu-
nity, everyone is involved whether they like pulling or
not. The local Red Cross branch is here providing
lunch; the crafty ladies are selling their handiwork and
just wait till the Sportsground Committee lights up
that big bonfire tonight.”
Family is a big part of any rural community, and
Chris regularly invites his brother and fellow machin-
ery devotee, Jeff Gooda, to the show. Jeff hails from
the Riverina, and, as well as dragging tractors halfway
across the state, he also comes with an authentic rab-
bit trapper’s truck, which he parks among displays of
yesteryear. Next to the rabbit skins a sheep is shorn
using a hand-powered plant, a lovingly restored 1937
Dodge shines brilliant blue in the afternoon sun, a
team of Clydesdales hauls a plough, and a blacksmith
demonstrates how a cart wheel was fitted to its wooden
spokes. Through it all, a border collie works half-
a-dozen ducks and a four-year-old boy.
“Not everyone gets excited about tractors,” Chris
admits, “and so we make sure we have something for
all the family. There is a jumping castle and an animal
nursery for the kids, a blind lawnmower obstacle course,
boot throwing and a multitude of market stalls.”
Deanne Skinner has been attending the tractor pull
for years as she helps her mother on a popular
fruit-and-vegetable stall. But, much to her mother’s
frustration, she spends a great deal of the time
socialising and enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
“Last year I got to polish the big John Deere, and
this year my dog came third in the fancy dress, and we
won the mini-dog jumping competition,” she says with
a bubbly laugh. The fact that she won the mini-dog
jump with a koolie says more about the Sergeant
Major’s rubbery judging methods than the skill of the
dogs involved.
Anyone is welcome at the Coolatai Tractor Pull.
For the princely sum of a gold coin donation you too
can join the fun, and camping on the hillside or by
the creek is free. Full and happy after a night with the
locals around the monster bonfire, you can wander off
to bed at your leisure...but beware of red eyes watching
from the undergrowth. You wouldn’t want to spark
another round of panther-mania. AGHarvest history. An 1860s Meadowbank stripper
owned by Peter Venables is another machine on display- draught horses once pulled it to harvest crops.