Sport
11 March, 2026
Vintage rally comes to Cobden
LOVERS of all things vintage flocked to Cobden over the long weekend for South Western District Restoration Group’s annual Vintage Rally.
This year featured steel wheel tractors and vintage lawn mowers and garden implements, with plenty on display for the large crowds which gathered at the rally on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8.
South Western District Restoration Group vice president Brian O’Shannessy said the group was blown away by the amount of support received from the wider community.
“The rally went better than we could ever have expected,” he said.
“We had more exhibitors there than we’ve had in other years.
“The crowd numbers were well up – weather had a lot to do with it because it wasn’t a total fire ban and 35 degrees.
“It was very successful, well supported by everyone from around Cobden and people travelled from Echuca, Mount Gambier and Wedderburn, it was really good.”
Mr O’Shannessy said there was plenty on offer for people to see and do which differed from previous years.
“We just got a radial aeroplane engine – just the firing up of that a couple times a day, people just stood there and were amazed by it,” he said.
“Then Mil-lel Steam Preservation Club from over Mount Gambier way, they had a really good display of scale model steam engines and traction engines.
“They had four or five of them there and they brought a really good display and people really appreciated the work they put into their machines.”
The annual auction was also a resounding success, which Mr O’Shannessy partly attributed to their auctioneers.
“We had the auction on the Saturday for stuff related to what we do and it was really well supported,” he said.
“Clarrie Smith and Tim Healey, our auctioneers, donate their time every year and people just come to see the auctioneers, not the actual auction.
“They have rapport with each other and also with the crowd so everyone enjoys it.
“The auction went really well and was very successful.”
Mr O’Shannessy said the event was good for Cobden, with more to come this upcoming weekend.
“The main factor was probably the weather, other years people were scared to travel because it was too hot and there was risk of fire and all that stuff, but this year that wasn’t a concern really,” he said.
“It’s good for Cobden and makes people more aware of the area.
“This Sunday, March 15 the Pioneer Park have their swap meet show and shine on so hopefully it will be the same sort of weather for that.”
