Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club is still going strong, the club currently has 45 active members.

Most members get involved with the various club activities such as ongoing collection restoration and museum exhibits, working expo’s, ploughing matches and tractor treks, as well as fundraising and supporting other clubs and events.

Visitors to the precinct will be welcomed by club members and guided tours can be arranged for both individuals and groups.

There are always restoration and display projects in progress, and club members are often on-site firing up one of the many heritage engines.

They are always up for a yarn and happy to answer visitor’s questions.

New club members are always welcome.

If you would like to know more about this, we would love to hear from you.

Club Origins

The Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club was formed in 1956 by three gentlemen, Jack McKenzie, Jack Anderson and George Patterson.

​It all started when Jack McKenzie while on holiday with his family noted an abandoned Avery tractor under trees near Garston.

With the help of others from the Thornbury area this 1914 Avery tractor was recovered and restored.

Pleased with their efforts the men decided to take part in the Southland Provincial Centenary Celebration in 1956 which involved a street parade.

Following this event the “Southland Vintage Tractor Club” was formed and held the first ploughing match for vintage tractors.

With the discovery of other vintage tractors, buildings were erected in Thornbury to house an ever-growing collection and so the club’s museum was born.

Several years later the club changed its name to” Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club Inc”.