Enthusiasts
“It’s certainly part of local history and we didn’t want to lose the opportunity to keep it here. We’ve moved the main parts of the motor back to Murtoa and are now working on picking up its big fly wheel” – Graham Gellatly
Restoration of a piece of historic Wimmera machinery is underway as one of the region’s largest private collections continues to unearth treasures of the past.
A diesel engine that powered the 3LK radio transmitter at Lubeck from 1936 is now in the hands of Dunmunkle Sumpoilers, who plan to return the machine to its operating condition.
The district historical significance of the engine prompted Pipkorn clearing sale vendors to separate the item from a huge online auction planned for November 13 and 14.
The auction, involving an expansive collection of farm machinery and vehicles, is the second involving items collected by former Banyena farmer Ken Pipkorn.
Dunmunkle Sumpoilers is a community vintage-machinery restoration club.
President Graham Gellatly of Lubeck said he was delighted the group had secured the 1934 Ruston Hornsby 9HRC diesel twin-cylinder horizontal engine.
“It’s certainly part of local history and we didn’t want to lose the opportunity to keep it here,” he said.
“We’ve moved the main parts of the motor back to Murtoa and are now working on picking up its big fly wheel.
“It’s missing some pieces, including a piston and inlet, exhaust valves and fuel and oil pumps. If anyone can help with these parts we’d love to hear from them.
“We want to get it going again. It’s a great project for us and the region and what we enjoy doing.”
The powerful engine, which developers in the 1930s had believed might help provide electricity for Lubeck households and streets as well as the radio-transmission role, fell short of expectations.
But it needed only one of its cylinders in generating enough power for the transmission.
While the engine has a broad historical significance in the region as part of the original 3LK radio station, the ancestor of 3WM, it also has strong ties with Mr Gellatly’s family.
“My wife Kathryn’s father, Eric Bellman, was one of the engine operators as one the 3LK technicians in 1959,” he said.
“When 3WM took over running of 3LK, I sold them the land the transmitter’s on now – 24 acres – and it was about that time, in 1979, that the engine was replaced because they didn’t need it any more.
“It was sold to Ken Pipkorn who has had it ever since.
“We have about seven regular enthusiasts and we will be working on the engine.
“Much will depend on parts we can secure to help with the restoration.
“Our aim is to work on things that aren’t plastic and get them going again.”
Elders Horsham, working with Auctionsplus, is in charge of the online sale and branch manager Mat Taylor said the engine reflected the vast, eclectic range of items that would go under the hammer.
“The auction will be spread across four sales with each item auctioned individually,” he said.
“We’ve continued to be amazed. There are probably up to 40 items that are most likely one of a kind or extremely rare. For example there is an historic Jelbart tractor and a 1912 Fowler traction engine.
“There are more than 300 tractors, the same again in stationary engines and motors and well over 200 tractor wheels, and a collection of vintage cars, trucks and general farm machinery. There are close to a dozen steam engines.
“It is an historic-collection goldmine and the clearing sale has attracted global interest. We know of people who have been minimising their own collections to get enough finances to place strong bids for specific items.
“In the first 24 hours of putting up details on Facebook, 25,000 people had viewed them.
“It’s been an absolute magnet.” Mr Taylor said everything listed for sale was only available in the exclusive online auction.
“Items vary in condition and will be all sold as is,” he said.
“Some could have been sitting where they have laid for more than 50 years, but collectors will quickly spot potential.”
People can only bid in the auction by registering interest with Auctionsplus before the event via website auctions plus.com.au.