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, vintage and rare tractors, as well as devotees of old farm machinery, trucks and cars. The public open days where David makes the collection available to view are also well known and one of those was the subject of a JUST TRUCKS article in 2019.

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, who may be better known as the former head of Maryborough Machinery, is an avid enthusiast of classic vehicles of all types and has spent decades acquiring the 100+ machines – including some genuine rarities – that make up his collection.

More than 60 tractors, along with related farm machinery and horse-drawn implements, lead a collection that fills three large sheds on the property. There are also around 25 classic trucks, 30 cars and other collectables in the private museum.

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 fairly recent development. They do good for the community, too, with the public open day in 2019 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.

Classic Tractors

Tractors are the jewels in David’s collection, with approximately 60 acquired over the decades. Familiar names, like Massey-Harris, Fordson, Case, John Deere and Chamberlain can be found, but David has a special fondness for older and rarer tractors. As such, his collection also includes ‘iron wheel’ models from the likes of Fiat, Moline and Huber.

Additionally, there’s an Emerson-Brantingham Big 4 that’s one of only a handful in Australia and a Samson orchard tractor that’s believed to be unique in this country.

Most of David’s tractors are running, so subject to the weather conditions, some will be put to use during this year’s open day, pulling implements to show how these vehicles operated a century ago.

Lots More to See

For fans of classic and vintage trucks, David’s collection also includes Freightliner, White, Diamond Reo, Ford and Kenworth prime movers. There’s also 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 vehicles 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 tourer, to name a few. Like the tractors and trucks, most of the cars are restored and/or running.

At this year’s open day, David’s own car display will supplemented with a gathering of vehicles from the Bendigo Vintage and Veteran Car Club, providing an extra attraction.

Essential Info

More than three months’ worth of planning and preparation have gone into this year’s David and Dorothy Beer Museum public open day, which will be held on Sunday, 29 October.

Food and refreshments will be available on the day, provided by the Carisbrook Lions Club. 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