‘Tail-End Charlie’ is participating in the 60th anniversary re-enactment of 1957 Mobil gas Round Australia Rally.

The Chamberlain tractor is on a fundraising and awareness journey around Australia.

Its driver, 82-year-old Ron Bywaters said, “the journey has been quite good so far.

“It has been a little chilly at night but that’s to be expected this time of year.”

Whilst the tractor was parked and displayed at Belmore Park in Goulburn last Thursday, the Goulburn and District Breast Cancer Support Group took the opportunity to give Tailend Charlie’s fundraising cause a cheque for $500.

Facilitator of the day group, Loz Westley said it was a pleasure to hand over the money for such a great cause and to a great bunch of people.

“It is a fabulous way to get around Australia, raising awareness about prostate and breast cancer along the way,” Ms Westley said.

The journey, once complete, will have visited over 30 towns with some 15,000 kilometres being travelled, intending to take 57 days to complete the journey.  

The official start of this year’s journey was Wundowie, WA, on Friday July 7, and will conclude at the National Balloon Championships event at Northam on September 2.  

They crew stayed in Goulburn on the Thursday evening at Rob Temples’ property, a member of the Southern Tablelands Vintage Farm Machinery Club.

They travelled to Canberra visiting Parliament house on Friday.

The original 1957 Rally went for 11,140 miles (18,000 kilometres) and was covered in 19 days.

The tractor was used to sweep vehicles, tow them back to the checkpoint or transport vehicles into town for repairs. It was later to get a reputation for assisting unfortunate competitors. 

The local group’s next meet will be in Taralga on the third November weekend.

To watch the tractor driving through town, head to the Goulburn Post Facebook page.