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Big turnout for Alexandra truck show this year

The 2023 annual Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show turned out to be the biggest one in the event’s 26-year history.

Held on Sunday, June 11 in the north-east Victoria town of Alexandra, the show was a huge success with more than 15,000 people in attendance.

The event also helped raise $33,000 funds for a local mental health charity.

Matt Tennant’s 2019 Mack Trident won the Best Special Purpose Vehicle prize. Photo by Shannon Mitro.

“It was just a perfect day. The weather in Alexandra, for a change, was great. There was no fog and no rain and just a massive crowd turnaround,” said Andrew Embling, who has been on the show’s organising committee since the start.

“We had over 350 registered trucks and 32 registered rods this year. It was our biggest event in 26 years, with over 15,000 people attending,” he added.

“We were able to raise $33,000 for our foundation this year. It was certainly a big day for all of us.”

Andrew Embling with his son, Ayden Embling, who is the current chair of the truck show committee, along with his granddaughter, Gabby Embling.

There were 30 trophies to be won this year, out of which 18 were for different truck categories.

Embling said the truck line-up was nearly 3.5 km around from the main street in Alexandra and up and down side streets. There was live music, wood-chopping events, and the annual truck auction that ended up raising $18,500 for the foundation.

“We missed a couple of years during Covid, but it’s been great to be back again this year after a successful show last year. All 10 of the committee members are proud that we can run a show that draws in that many people and supports our town and supports the trucking industry.”

This year’s winners include:

Best Tipper: Zach Edwards for 2022 Kenworth T909

Best Log Truck: Stuart Moloney for 2022 Kenworth T909

Best Special Purpose Vehicle: Matt Tennant for 2019 Mack Trident

Best Rigid: Jason Duell for 2020 Kenworth K200

Best Euro: Tim McCarthy for 2021 Scania P320

Best Tow/Recovery: Michael Bonanno for 1984 Kenworth W Model

Best Tiltray: Steven Loader for 2021 Isuzu Tilt Tray

Best Peterbilt: Don Calleja for 1964 Peterbuilt Needle Nose

Best Mack: Tom Nicholson for 1983 Mack Superliner

Best Kenworth: James Bottomley for 2022 Kenworth W900 SAR Legend

Fleet of the Show Maloneys: David Maloney for his selection of seven Kenworth trucks.

Best Restoration/Show: Tom Nicholson for 1983 Mack Superliner

People’s Choice: David Maloney for 2018 Kenworth T900 Legend

Best of the Rest: David Carlton for 2006 Kenworth 404 SAR

Best of the Rest: Lee Petersen for 2023 Kenworth K200

Best of the Rest: Damian Toms for 2021 Kenworth T909

Best of the Rest: John Turner for 2020 Kenworth T909

Truck of the Show: Nick Gierisch for 2021 Kenworth 909

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