The Gympie Rotary HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR is the largest event of its kind in Queensland… and now we’re adding a showcase of over 80 tractors – many vintage and extremely rare – to the huge event program, in collaboration with the legendary Roddau family, to be presented on their historic family farm.
Based Kia Ora, just 30 minutes drive from Gympie Showgrounds, the 400-acre Roddau family farm was bought in 1921 – since then, over 100 years later, 5 generations of the Roddau family have been born, bred and worked on the farm.
Tractors were, and still are, an essential part of daily life on the farm, for a multitude of different jobs such as feeding cows, ploughing ground for crops, fertilising ground, harvesting crops etc but it wasn’t until James William Roddau bought a Massey Ferguson in 1950, a little TE 20, that a life-long passion for Masseys began.
75 years on, the family has amassed over 80 Massey Fergusons and Massey Harrises, celebrating the evolution of the Massey Ferguston tractor, from 1937 – 2023. Some of these are rare, with only 1 or 2 existing in Australia.
Every tractor in the collection has it’s own story – where it came from, a special history, many bought sight-unseen from phone calls and conversations. Roy Roddau and son Clinton, equally as passionate about the Collection, often wondered what they would find when they went to pick up a sight-unseen purchase, but claim they have never yet been disappointed. Some came in pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. One once belonged to Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Another, a 1974 MF 1505 found in Biloela, had a tree growing through it – it hadn’t been started for 17 years. Roy and Clinton took a battery and some fuel “and away she went, first go.” This tractor is now beautifully restored and a great addition to the Collection.
Roy and Clinton have meticulously restored many of the tractors, making sure every detail remains true to the original, from the engines to the headlights, the upholstery – they have even had special gold paint imported from England from their supplier Sengs, ensuring the restoration of the “Gold Belly” tractor remained faithful to the original.
Rarities in the Collection include: an old Allis Charmers; the R45 100 (only 218 produced world-wide); the model 97 and 98 (only 500 made of each, world-wide); the 135 Massey and more. The collection also includes Masseys imported from England, Canada, Spain (only 600 were imported Australia-wide), America (again, only 600 were imported Australia-wide).
The family are throwing open their shed doors, washing each tractor, testing every engine, positioning and signposting each one in this impressive museum-worthy Roddau Massey Ferguson Collection, as part of the Gympie Rotary HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR – Roy says it’s “for future generations to see what was out there way back”.
There’s also a display of vintage small engines, presented by Gympie & District Historic Machinery Club – see and hear these working machines, testaments to days gone by.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a farming enthusiast or simply looking for a great experience, come along, stroll around this collection of over 80 tractors, which also includes an array of small engines. With music, snacks and a bar, it’s a great way to round off, or start your day – sharing stories, knowledge, and passion in a world of tractors and their place in Australian agricultural history.
The farm is located only 30 minutes drive from the Gympie Showgrounds, on the way to Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay, Cooloola Coloured Sands and the gateway to world heritage K’gari (formerly Fraser Island)
WHERE – 77 Radtke Road, Kia Ora
WHEN – Saturday July 5, 8.30am – 5pm and Sunday July 6, 8.30am – 3pm
Entry is included in your HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR ticket www.trybooking.com/CYKKU
FAIR TICKETS – www.trybooking.com/CYKKUEntry tickets can be purchased at the gate ($15pp, 15 and under FREE) Tickets include entry into the:
– Gympie Rotary HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR, Gympie Showgrounds
– Vintage, Rare to Late Model Tractor & Historic Small Engines Expo
– Roadside Relics Fair Open Day, both event days
See more about this great showcase:
Meet the Collectors Rod Roddau Part 1
Meet the Collectors Rod Roddau Part 2
Meet the Collectors Rod Roddau Part 3
Meet the Collectors Rod Roddau Part 4
Meet the Collectors Rod Roddau Part 5
Meet the Collectors Rod Roddau Part 6
