Chapter Nineteen

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Chapter 19 & the Lake Goldsmith Steam Preservation Association (LGSPA) had the privilege to host 32 Caterpillar & Dealer representatives and participants of the 45th Dealer Top Apprentice Program (DTAP) for their feature event on Sat 24th February, 2024. Unique within Caterpillars global operations, the DTAP event seeks to challenge dealer apprentice representatives from around Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia by way of theory and practical test stations, to acknowledge and reward the best of the best. The program has been running for 45 years, and has developed prestige with the dealer network, such that representatives from US based dealers have also travelled down under to compete. At the conclusion of the weeklong event at Caterpillar's Service Training Centre, in Melbourne all persons involved are invited to attend a feature event, and this year we were proud to have been given the opportunity to host the event.

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Once again we supported William Adams who sponsered the Geelong Classic Truck & Machinery Show, and our new branded marquee had its first outing! Thanks to Rohan Burns, John Guiney, Rob Fern & Mark Hutchings for their support on the weekend, as well as a number of other members who called in over the weekend that saw us sign up 4 new members and sell almost $3000 in merchandise. This event has a really family feel, and it is great to see the kids interacting with the equipment, and to the surprise of parents actually being allowed to sit on it and take a photo! Many walked away with their first CAT hat, the first of many we hope.  For those that have watched the Foxtel series Outback Car Hunters - we had a special VIP visit from one of the host Dave Morley, and William Adams Managing Director - Eddie Kontelj also called in for a quick photo opportunity that made it into the local paper.  It was a great to catch up for a dinner on the Geelong waterfront with members on the Friday night too. 

 

Dick Beckett

Great to see one of our own, Dick Beckett celebrated by William Adams and Caterpillar in this general interest article tying the history of Caterpillar tractors through to the modern day diesel electric D6-20A XE dozer. This article was published in the national Earthmoving Equipment Magazine. Click read more to see the full article. 

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Our recent visit to Mawsons Pyramid Hill quarry and their collecton of vintage equipment featured in the companies "Mawse Code" magazine. 

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