Mount Gambier Family Truck Show – Community Event of the Year

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Mount Gambier Family Truck Show – Community Event of the Year

The Mount Gambier Family Truck Show began as the annual Toy Run, including a convoy of trucks that travel from Penola to Mount Gambier delivering toys to children and families in need. The initiative evolved into the Family Truck Show, which features a display of gleaming local and interstate trucks at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds. The event also provides free activities for children and entertainment for the whole family.


About 4500 people typically attend the annual event, with 93 trucks involved in the convoy from Penola to Mount Gambier.


“The truck drivers are up polishing their trucks at 3am-4am in the morning to make sure they are ready to roll in to Mount Gambier for the families and children eagerly waiting to see them by the roadside,” Mount Gambier Family Truck Show Committee Member Alex Moreland said.


“The drivers bring toys with them and they are donated to children in need. The trucks make their way to the Mount Gambier Showgrounds and park up for closer inspection by the crowds.”


The event is organised and run by a hard-working committee of volunteers, with the aim to provide a fun and memorable family outing that is accessible for everyone.


“It is an affordable day out for families, so once they pay the gold coin donation to get in at the gate at the showgrounds, all the children’s activities are free,” Committee Member Haydn McPherson said.


“There’s a jumping castle, inflatable bungee run, laser tag, giant sandpit with toys, a trike ride inside hay bales, colouring, face painting, scavenger hunt and of course Santa giving out lollies to children,” Secretary Michelle Nicholls said.


“This event is one of a kind, it allows people to get up close and personal with trucks they see around the area embedded within the local transport and forestry industry,” Michelle said.


Since 2017, the Mount Gambier Family Truck Show has raised about $75,000 for local charities to assist less fortunate families during the festive season throughout the Limestone Coast.


“We have given funds to ac.care, Sunset Kitchen, Four Reasons Why, the Mount Gambier Community Christmas Luncheon, Spare Ya Change for Kids, Foodbank, the Salvation Army and Gordon Education just to name some of them,” Michelle said.


Mount Gambier Family Truck Show Committee Member Belinda Butler said the group had great feedback from families.


“They do not have to spend a fortune. They can pack a picnic lunch, you really do not have to spend any money,” she said.


“The event receives generous support from local community sponsors and the transport and forestry industry to ensure it gets bigger and better every year.


“Local dealerships bring vehicles along such as trucks, utes, boats and caravans, forestry simulators, forestry units, tractors, old steam engines, speedway vehicles and go karts. Local emergency services take part, including Police, Ambulance, Fire Service, NHVR and CFS units.”

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