THE upcoming 2015 Heritage Weekend will see all highways, roads and tracks leading to Allora yet again on this Australia Day weekend, January 24-25, a stream of historical vehicles and machinery converging on the emerald green and so picturesque Allora Showgrounds.

The evidence is all around Allora that the district's biggest annual event is almost upon us, starting as motorists descend Mt Marshall on the slide down in to southern Allora, the Heritage Weekend sign on the tractor pull trailer in Merv and Kath Shannon's front yard putting the word out to the world.

For two full days the showground's precinct will be transported back in time to various points across the past century and more, highlighting the vehicles and machinery that played such a significant role in the development of rural Australia. It will provide special memories for some, and a wondrous education for others, but you can be certain it will hold the attention of the thousands who are expected through the Showgrounds gate with a display that is rated among the best of its type in the nation.

The Heritage Weekend is known internationally, having been a subject in historical vehicle magazines of Britain and other countries.

"It's amazing what has been achieved from such humble beginnings," said Graeme McMillan, president of the Warwick Veteran and Vintage Vehicle Club, organising body of the Heritage Weekend.

And humble they were, "the weekend was born 1995, as an opportunity for local enthusiasts to roll their vehicles, machinery and motors out of their sheds and have a bit of fun".

In a few short years to year 2000, the Heritage Weekend was famous throughout Queensland and NSW and provided a line up of hundreds of displays, the large majority working, for the enjoyment of the endless crowds rolling up to the event.

"We've come a long way," Mr McMillan said. "People enjoy the experience immensely, and it isn't hard work when you enjoy it, we enthusiasts and restorers catching up to compare notes and experiences."

Recent years have provided the historical machinery feast with plenty of challenges weather wise, the 2011 Heritage Weekend actually cancelled due to local flooding issues, and the 2012 and 2013 events affected by rain.

"There's not a lot we can do about the weather," Mr McMillan said. "We'll be pushing on to create a special event for the public and those involved, and quietly confident of blue Southern Downs skies on the Australia Day weekend."

The historical machinery extravaganza, arranged by the group of dedicated WVVVC volunteers from around the central and Southern Downs, takes pride of place in this part of the world, fittingly on the Australia Day weekend, and now boasts exhibit numbers in the thousands, countless visitors and international fame.

While historical machinery will roll into Allora from around Australia, the contribution from local vehicle and machinery restorers gives accurate recollections of the Southern Downs historical past.

Since 2001 the Allora Heritage Weekend organisers have nominated feature machinery as a focal point of the event.

Some past Heritage Weekend feature machinery and the subsequent displays include the initial feature machinery in 2001, Ellis

Chalmers tractors, with Minneapolis Moline Twin City tractors in 2002 and McCormick Deering International in 2003.

Many will recall the amazing "Caterpillar" avenue at the 2004 Heritage Weekend, Caterpillar tractors and dozers side by side at attention for inspection by the endless line of admirers.

That was the Heritage Weekend's 10th anniversary event, when Caterpillar and Field Marshall tractors teaming up as the feature machinery.

The successful concept has continued each year since, with 2013 featuring military vehicles and equipment, Oliver Hart-Parr tractors, Leader trucks, Mini Minor cars, Lister stationery engines and BSA motor cycles.

Aside from the enormous parade of machinery heading to Allora, 2014 saw all makes of earthmoving equipment, International trucks and tractors, all things Holden, Harley Davidson motor cycles and Australian made stationery engines will take centre stage as feature machinery.

Yet again famous breeds of machinery and vehicles will stand tall at Allora, with the 2015 feature machinery being Ford and Fordson trucks, tractors and cars, Lister stationary engines and British motorcycles.

Aside from the centre stage machinery a wander around the Allora Showgrounds on Heritage weekend will allow you a look at vintage and veteran cars and trucks, antiques, historical machinery of all types, motorcycles, horse drawn machinery, country music, bush poets and a pipe band, not to mention the licensed bar and numerous eateries.

As of the early hours of this Monday morning a drive around Allora will provide a first taste of the 2015 Heritage Weekend, tractors poking their noses out of various sheds, veteran trucks, cars, machinery idling away or receiving the first wisp of polish ready for 'their' big weekend at the Allora Showgrounds, and enthusiasts/restorers parading around in the standard dress of a liberal splash of grease and oil !

The Allora Showgrounds is definitely the place to be on Australia Day Weekend January 24th and 25th, for the internationally acclaimed Allora Heritage Weekend.

As in past years there will be a swap meet over the two days of the Heritage Weekend, and there will also be a Cent Sale in aid of a local charity.

For further information contact Graeme McMillan (4666 3554), Swap Meet (Saturday and Sunday) - Lyle Johnson (0409 766 288 or 4666 6288) and showgrounds camping - Greg Saville (4697 3742).

Visit www.alloraheritage weekend.org.au or email warwickcarclub@yahoo. com.au

ANZAC display

The Allora and District Historical Society have prepared a display in the window of the Allora Advertiser. This display depicts the kit-bag of a First World War soldier killed in action.

The kit-bags were virtually all that many soldiers possessed and contained items that were of great value to their families.

It may have been a pocket or wrist watch presented to them on their final leave by the local community, letters and photos or a diary that they kept.

As ADHS researchers perused the records of the men who died from the Allora district, it was noted that in numerous cases no possessions were able to be sent home, or only a few items were forwarded to the next-of-kin.

Heartfelt letters were addressed to the Officer in Charge Base Records asking for a memento of their loved one.

Often they had to be satisfied with a photo of the grave and a pamphlet as there was no trace of the dead soldier's possessions.

The items that appear most often in the kit-bags were photos, diaries, religious books, watches, fountain pens, crucifix, cards coins, combs, pocket knives, wallets, handkerchiefs and cigarette cases.

Among items featured in the Historical Society display is a memorial plaque, known as a Dead Man's Penny, which were issued after WW1 to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire service personnel killed in action.

The Display also includes WW1 medals; medals that were issued to the mothers of men who died; a scroll that was presented to families and the WW1 pay books, identity disc or dog-tags. A Light Horse badge and Returned Servicemen's badge issued to former local Rolly Sinton forms part of the amazing window feature, Rolly having served on the Gallipoli Peninsula before returning home to Allora.

The Allora and District Historical Society would like to acknowledge that items for the display have been kindly loaned by the Clifton Museum and the Sinton family, along with the Master's family who kindly lent a war diary.

The window display is to promote Allora's contribution to Anzac 2015. Tickets will soon be on sale in the "A Brown Slouch Hat and Rising Sun", Gallipoli Anniversary Commemoration raffle. Proceeds from that raffle will support the presentation of the Commemorative Concert to be held at 7pm on Anzac Day and at 2pm on Sunday, April 26.

Under the direction of Michelle Smith, this concert promises to be the best concert Allora has ever seen. Tickets to the concert will be available at 'The Allora Advertiser' Office, book early to avoid disappointment.

Show memberships

The 137th Allora Annual Show is fast approaching, action aplenty on February 6 and 7 within Allora's tranquil showgrounds.

The 2015 show schedule can be viewed online at allorashow.org.au/schedules

Allora Show Society membership for the coming year is $40 for pre-sold family membership (2 adults + children under 16) or $20 pre-sold single membership (1 adult or 1 adult + children under 16).

Membership tickets can be purchased by contacting the Show Society (4666 3173) or from Allora business houses.

For further information regarding the 2015 Allora Show, contact president Shirley Cornhill on 0427 100 210 or email allorashowsociety@ gmail.com