Longtime resident and local handyman of the Conargo district Trevor Hussey is indulging his passion for traditional farm machinery and items associated with the agricultural development of the Riverina.
The collection, formed in the past 14 years, is both eclectic and as idiosyncratic as those who used them on the pastoral runs and farms of past years.
Trevor says his interest stemmed from being associated with the older machinery during his youth and being impressed by the standard of workmanship.
“I just took a liking to the old stuff,” he said.
“They were mostly made by hand in factories or farm blacksmith shops, and they were pretty effective.”
Trevor became aware a lot of the older machinery was being sold for scrap metal or buried in farm rubbish tips so he thought to salvage and restore them.
I used to cut wood and save the money so I could pay for the pieces and their restoration
- Trevor Hussey
“I used to cut wood and save the money so I could pay for the pieces and their restoration,” he said.
The collection, which is now spread over about half a hectare, has been amassed from wherever Trevor could find the stuff, but an increasing number of items have been donated.
Of the items in his collection, Trevor says his favorite is the cake mixer which is driven by water, but he didn't really want to give it any greater significance than his entire collection.
Other items include a collection of broad axes, and adzes artisans used to fashion post and rail fences and the wooden structures of farm sheds.
Trevor also admits to being particularly attracted to his collection of horse-drawn machinery, including hay-making equipment, Furphy water tanks and carts.
An intriguing display is his collection of Trewalla jacks, made in Victoria and which vary from jacks to lift stumps out of the ground to a jack to lift a buggy to service it.
Of interest is his most recent acquisition of a bullock yoke, still in wonderful condition after being salvaged from the Boonoke tip at Conargo many years ago and preserved by a collector until bought by Trevor.
“There is a lot of interest from the older generations who can remember using them,” he said.
“Unfortunately a lot has already disappeared but I am still finding the odd piece.”
Trevor proudly displays his collection whenever there is interest, with many clubs and organised tours coming through.
He and his wife Eve put on a morning tea, and any donation is passed on to breast cancer research.
Trevor admits to not knowing the exact number of pieces in his collection, but intends to eventually have them all on public display.
“I want to have it lined up so visitors coming through Conargo can stop and walk around the old machinery and bits and pieces,” he said.
Trevor said he his willing to travel far to collect a rare item, and is alert to any new piece to add to his collection.
“I want to preserve as many pieces as I can, while I am still able,” he said.
