CLERMONT RAG FRIDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2021
STEAM ENGINE COMES TO LIFE AT CLERMONT HISTORICAL CENTRE Children clapped and exclaimed with delight while along the fence cameras, phones and IPads were poised to capture photos and video footage of a unique part of Clermont’s history in action. The Aveling and Porter #6803 steam engine had come to life again at the Clermont Historical Centre. The Clermont Historical Centre (CHC) invited the community to enjoy a morning of ‘Scones and Steam’ with free entry to the CHC, as part of the recent Gold and Coal Festival celebrations. Held on 21 August, the ‘Scones and Steam’ event attracted about 200 people, local and visitors alike. The ladies from the Country Women’s Association Clermont Branch provided a beautiful morning tea and they were kept busy as people lined up for a cuppa and deciding whether they would have a scone with butter, jam and cream or a small assortment of homemade slices.
Whether you chose a scone or the slices, the consensus was they were all delicious, and the CWA ladies had many return customers. Business was also brisk at the coffee van and the glazed donuts were a sell-out. Bush poet Margy McArdle entertained the crowd with her wit and recital of original bush poetry. But it was the Aveling and Porter #6803 steam engine that was the star attraction. This event would not have been possible without Kevin Fry and Bob Kluck’s assistance and expertise with the steam engine. Kevin restored the Aveling and Porter #6803 engine to its current glory in 2016/2017 under the tutelage of Bob. All morning Kevin and Bob were kept busy stoking up the wood box to create the steam needed to drive the engine and ensured everything was smoothly running.
Continued on Page 2... Pictured:Aveling & Porter #6803 driving past the crowd.
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