Machinery Preservation Club Of W.A. (Inc)

Show Reports

Mundaring Community Men's Shed Midland visit

by Martin Beal.

Tuesday 8th May saw nine blokes from MCMS visit the Machinery Preservation Club at Midland Workshops. We were welcomed by Ralph and Peter, given a morning coffee and shown around the collection. And what a collection!

The display area was at least 60 metres long and the full width of the workshop bay. The blokes in the club had arranged their machinery into subject areas, mining, agricultural, steam and so on. In the mining area there was a stamping mill made by Frazer & Chalmers of Erith, UK. What a coincidence, that was where I served my apprenticeship! The area also included some mining industry tools, a model of a mineshaft head gear and info about good old C. Y. O'Connor. The next area was a massive collection of stationary engines of all sorts including a Douglas horizontally opposed petrol engine probably used to generate electricity in a Lancaster bomber. Another interesting item was a Wankel engine used to power an outboard motor. Further along the building was a magnificent Clayton and Shuttleworth steam traction engine. Members had had the engine running recently but found a problem with the valve gear which they were currently fixing.

I was interested to hear that the original boiler had been a write-off and a new one had been designed and built by the members. All the more impressive as the boiler was also a load-bearing part of the machine. It supported the steering gear at the front and the drive train and driving wheels at the rear.

Heading back along the other side of the bay we saw an eight ton stand-by Ruston generator that had been salvaged from the old Perth telephone exchange. Alongside was a great collection of machine shop lathes, milling machines and so on. Colin was in his element.

The collection was enormous and I have only mentioned a few of the exhibits here. As Ralph indicated, there is a wealth of history saved in the collection and at the moment a wealth of experienced men to tend it. Will there be a next generation to continue the task of refurbishing and maintain these wonderful machines into the future? I wonder.

MPC Christmas Windup 2011

'The members of the MPC enjoyed their Christmas Wind-up lunch at their home in the Midland Railway Workshops. Although it was a hot and humid day, this did not dampen their spirits. President Peter Dymond thanked all members present for their attendance, and wished them all the best for the Festive Season, and a happy return to the Club in 2012. Peter also took this opportunity to wish member Wendy Thomas a happy 66th birthday, after which the members gave a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to you!

As a point of interest and trivia, this song is the most sung of any other in the world.'

	Click below to see more photos from this event!

Sunday 19th November - Swan View Agricultural Show.

This is the first time we have displayed at Swan View for several years. We filled the 30m x 6m shed to capacity, with a great turn-up of members; who put on a very interesting and diverse display of engines, many of which were driving pumps, plus several tables of memorabilia.

Amongst them were excellent displays of milking gear, shearing handpieces, hand tools and printing gear, hot air engines and steam engines, as well as a compressor and our well-known 'Noddy' Bike - the LE Velocette.

This display was one of our better efforts for some time, and we would like to thank all who made the effort, especially some of our newer members, who came along just to help, and one of them to tow the club trailer, the most important item for our display.

The shed has been offered to us on a permanent basis, for us to display at their show each year. This is quite an important event for us, as it is in our home territory, near the Midland Workshops.

The Show Secretary, Suzie Battistessa-Leahy, expressed her thanks to us for our contribution to their show, and says she looks forward to a continuing relationship with the MPC.

Click below to see more photos from this event!

July 24th 2011

The Annual visit by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club to the Midland Railway Workshops, home of the MPC; was as usual a great success.We think there were about 80 vintage bikes on display.
Many more members of both Clubs attended than were expected, and a good timewas had by all.
The MPC would like to sincerely thank the VMCC for their kind donation, and for supplying and cooking the BBQ lunch on the day.
Ralph and Wendy Thomas
Webmasters.

Click below to see more photos from this event!

Canning Show - 4/5th November. Public numbers were down at the Canning Show this year, and the weather did not help at all. It was unseasonally cold and very wet on Saturday afternoon and evening. However, members who attended enjoyed themselves as usual, in spite of the weather.

Some of our ladies enjoying the show.	Ralph Thomas proudly displaying his Steam Exhibit for the first time.
Les Jones and Les Smith chat over Les and Dianne's milking display.

Jack Bellotti's 80th Birthday A Surprise Morning Tea was held for Member Jack Bellotti 80th Birthday celebration, on Tuesday 18th October. Members enjoyed a break from their work to enjoy the unexpected morning feast. The cake was made by Jack's wife Judy.

Jack and Judy Bellotti	Jack cuts his cake
The cake, complete with tractors (and fences)	MPC members enjoying their morning tea.

© Machinery Preservation Club Of W.A. (Inc) 2011
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