ACMOC
Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club
1115 Madison St NE # 1117
Salem, OR 97301
cat@acmoc.org
Chapter Nineteen
Our March general meeting was hosted by Rob & Kerrie Fern, of Fern Earthmoving located in Silvan, Vic. Rob has an extensive collection of all makes of tractors, chainsaws and memorabilia, and has a permant museum onsite. Thanks to all members and guests that attended, and enjoyed the Fern BBQ and hospitality. It was great to see Garry Cotton out and about for the day too despite his restricted mobility.
Thanks to Steve, Ben. Llyod and Daryl, who once again made sure ACMOC was front and centre at the entrance to the Korumburra Working Horse and Tractor Show in March. A hot and windy day kept the crowds away on Saturday but plenty of visitors on Sunday. Top effort Steve, given your own health issues to be out there doing ACMOC and making Karen proud!
Despite the heat on Saturday 14 Jan, ACMOC joined local dealer William Adams who sponsored the Geelong Truck & Machinery Show this year, and it was a huge success. This was the first time we have been represented at the show and the dealer Managing Director Eddie Kontelj came down to say g'day. Local member Rohan Burns showed his 4J R2 for the first time in public, and he was a real star, organising food and drink for the Chapter members helping on the day, as well as bump in and bump out, all while doing his best to help upsell the Club to new members - in all 6 new members were signed! Thanks for taking the lead on this Rohan. Another local member John Guiney provided an air conditioned site hut with fridge for the weekend, while Brendan Cornfoot and Mark Hutchings, as always made sure we had tractors to display bringing 2 TON's, 6U D4 and 9G D7. Merchandise and replica part sales were also strong, thanks Sue Cornfoot for covering the store. All drivers in the tractor pull came to our tent to claim their Cat hat and stubbie holder donated by William Adams. It was certainly a great show, one we will add to the annual calendar.
As part of the ongoing research and collection of Caterpillar of Australia (CofA) history for the 2025 documentry project, ACMOC members Peter Mekis (CofA retired) and Glen Slocombe were able to track down a film that was referenced in the 1967 'Down Under' Caterpillar employee newsletter. The article highlights that Cat Melbourne was featured in film series produced to show students about the potential careers in science and technology, with a 2 day film shot conducted at the plant highlighting the role of mechanical engineering in the design & manufacture of track links. The film is not digitised but was part of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) collection, so arrangements were made to view the original film at the ACMI museum, Federation Square.
To our delight the film did contain footage of the design office and track press assembly area from the Melbourne plant, albeit only 25 seconds of it, but it was still a great experience to get behind the scenes at ACMI and view it. The film is not outstanding nor does it provide any great insight, but will will still attemp to get it digitisied and relased for the ACMOC archive collection.
Thanks to everyone that came to Lake Goldsmith on Saturday to help clean up the shed after the floods, many hands make light work and the bulk of it was done in one day. 2 Ton final drives drain and refilled, all tractors checked, started and ran, cupboards, shelves and display cases all opened and cleaned, and our two fridges that did not survive were removed. In addition Richard got his generator dried out and running. With all the LGSPA excess materials now removed and the mezzaine in full use we have more room than ever and the shed looks neat and tidy!