PREVIEW – David and Dorothy Beer Museum Open Day 2023
The private collection of David and Dorothy Beer is already well-known amongst enthusiasts of classic and vintage trucks, cars, tractors and farm machinery. The public open days where David has made the collection available to view are also well known and were the subject of a past article in JUST TRUCKS.
After more than three months of planning, the 2023 public open day is just around the corner – Sunday, 29 October.
While open days on the Beer’s 70-hectare property at Alma, west of Maryborough, are held regularly for car clubs and invited groups, public open days are rarer, so the opportunity to attend the 29 October event shouldn’t be missed.
David’s expansive collection includes around 25 classic trucks, 30 cars and more than 60 tractors, plus related farm machinery, horse-drawn implements and other collectables. These fill three large sheds on the property.
David, who’s better known to some as the former boss of Maryborough Machinery, is an avid enthusiast of classic vehicles and spent decades acquiring the dozens of machines – including some genuine rarities – that make up his collection.
Doing Good
The seed to turn this personal collection into a more permanent display germinated more than a decade ago, but David’s open days are a recent development. They do good for the community, too, with the 2019 public open day raising funds for the local leg of the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life charity.
This year, David elected the Maryborough Vietnam Veterans as the open day’s charity. This is a cause close to David’s heart, as he’s from the generation that were subject to national service, many of whom made up Australia’s contingent in Vietnam.
Lots to See
For fans of classic and vintage trucks, David’s collection includes Freightliner, White, Diamond Reo, Ford and Kenworth prime movers, as well as a Mack recovery truck and an array of rigids from the likes of Foden, International, Leyland, Bedford, Diamond T and others. Most of the trucks are in running condition and a few are still working or have only recently been decommissioned.
The car collection is just as diverse and includes a spread of classic Holdens, a Ford Model T and vintage Oakland, to name a few. At the open day, David’s car display is often supplemented with a gathering of vehicles from a local car club. This year, the Bendigo Vintage and Veteran Car Club will provide the extra attraction.
The tractors are the jewel in David’s crown, though.
Classic Tractors
Amongst the approximately 60 tractors that David has collected over the decades, there are familiar names like Massey-Harris, Fordson, Case, John Deere and Chamberlain. Older and rarer tractors hold more appeal for David, though, so his collection includes a number of ‘iron wheel’ models from the likes of Fiat, Moline and Huber. There’s also an Emerson-Brantingham Big 4 that’s one of only a handful in Australia and a Samson that’s believed to be unique in this country.
Like the trucks and cars, nearly all the tractors are restored and/or running. Subject to weather conditions on the open day, some of these tractors will be put to use, pulling implements to show how these vehicles operated a century ago.
Essential Info
The 2023 David and Dorothy Beer Museum open day will be held on Sunday, 29 October, with food and refreshments available from the Carisbrook Lions Club on the day. Entry is $10.00 per person, with children under 14 admitted free. Entry proceeds will go towards the Maryborough and District sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.
David and Dorothy Beer Museum Open Day 2023
Date: Sunday, 29 October
Time: 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Location: 608 Maryborough - St Arnaud Road, Alma
(7km west of Maryborough, 174km northwest of Melbourne)
Entry Fee: Adults - $10, Children U14 - FREE
Further Details: David – 0408 642 387
