Community & Business
3 May, 2025
Varied program key to continued success of Easter Tractor Rally
Diversification of Gilgandra’s annual Easter Tractor Rally is a crucial component for its ongoing future, Alan Smith believes.
Alan Smith is the secretary of Gilgandra Tractor and Machinery Club.
The Gilgandra Tractor and Machinery Club was formed in 2003 and held their first rally in 2004.
Gilgandra’s Easter Tractor Rally including the Tractor Pull has been held annually ever since.
As with any long-term event, organisers continue to tinker with the program as the novelty of the original events wear off for some.
To continue to stay relevant and attract large crowds like the more than 700 people that attended this year’s event on April 19, Alan said the program now offers varying events.
This could be expanded in future years, he said.
In 2025, various kids events, including a pedal car tractor pull, was popular for children and spectators.
A tug-of-war, where children compete against a 10-horsepower tractor and chaff cutting and hay pressing demonstration were all part of the fun.
Alan feels incorporating old farming techniques and displays from yesteryear are crucial to keeping the Easter event relevant and successful.
“I think that’s the way of the future,” he said.
“Demonstrations of old techniques and farming skills. Some of those things we will work on in future years.”
“A lot of the blokes are happy to sit there and watch tractors all day, but the women like to see a diversity of things.”
The Gilgandra Tractor and Machinery Club has a membership of around 130 people.
The Tractor Pull and Grand Parade highlighted a diversified program where children’s tug-o-war, mini-tractor pull, vintage cars, various stalls, refreshments and chaff cutting and shearing demonstrations all featured.
In an added bonus for 2025, The Renault 4CV Club of Australia also held its bi-annual get-together in Gilgandra this year.
That event coincided with Easter, and the car club attended the Tractor Rally with 35 cars.
That great result was a fitting outcome after The Gilgandra Tractor and Machinery Club liaised with the Renault 4CV Club of Australia for more than a year.
“That was something unique … it all adds to the diversity and the attraction we are trying to offer as part of the rally,” Mr Smith said. “Most of us have never seen some of those cars before.”
