By LIAM DURKIN
POSSIBLY the most Australian place to be on Australia Day was the Trafalgar Holden Museum.
The museum celebrated all things Holden, as hundreds of petrol heads brought classic and modern cars to Trafalgar for an old fashioned show and shine.
Australian flags were sprawled across the windscreen of some cars, alongside the Holden lion logo that has become instantly identifiable with Australia.
So big was the turnout, there wasn’t enough room in the museum’s car park or along Waterloo Road to house all the vehicles, meaning the excess cars had to be displayed at the nearby Trafalgar Recreation Reserve, with people needing to take a shuttle bus to catch a glimpse.
As cars lined the pavement and some hoods were lifted to show off the engine within, motoring enthusiasts clearly took great delight in showcasing their pride and joy.
Each car had a story, and there was no shortage of tales regarding the background to a particular vehicle or how it operated.
Torana and FE models were a feature on show, as were some very rustic utes that offered something of a step back in time such was their vintage.
Despite being a Holden display, there was still room for a few Model T Fords, some of which were close to 100 years old.
The old cars themselves force the average driver to rewire their entire car brain, as things such as hand cranks and hand throttles are commonplace in vintage models.
While driving has become something of a chore in modern society, the sight of old cars at the Holden Museum provided a visual narrative into the way in which technology has evolved in the last century.
Patrons of a particular generation may have even seen their first car on display inside the museum, possibly a Kingswood or Monaro evoking no shortage of memories.
Given the Holden brand is synonymous with cars, many visitors to the museum may be surprised to learn the company also manufactured things such as trams, saddles, golf clubs and even military equipment.
Trafalgar Holden Museum president Neil Joiner said it was especially fitting the museum was able to tell the whole story of Holden alongside significant moments throughout Australian history on Australia Day.
“We’re here celebrating all Australian-made motorcars and Australian manufacturing … that is what it is all about,” he said.
“Holden played a major part in the Boer War, World War I and World War II, which is just mind blowing – that is our next development (exhibition) within the next six to nine months and that will really, I think, open everybody’s eyes about Australian
manufacturing, Australian ingenuity and technology.”
The Trafalgar Holden Museum is located at 69 Waterloo Rd, Trafalgar and open until 5pm daily.
The museum is a volunteer organisation.
Those interested in getting involved can do so by phoning 03 5633 1684.
