Thirty vintage tractors and their support crews from across the state will embark on a six-day journey through the Barrington Tops later this month on a pilgrimage for a mate.
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The epic trek is to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation in honour of Brian Morgan who sadly lost his battle with brain cancer in December 2018, aged 48.
Members of the Rattlin Bones and Engine Groans Machinery Society have spent more than 12 months planning for the 600 kilometre journey.
Thanks to countless donations from local businesses, the trek will not only honour their mate but allow the club to help support a foundation that helped Brian and his family while they were going through the darkest of times.
"Brian was an avid tractor trekker, he loved travelling along at a snail's pace taking in the scenery with his mates who were enjoying the same experience," said the society's secretary, Ben Morgan.
Brian, from Aberdeen, was one of the founding members of the Rattlin Bones club.
Ben said Brian's family has been very supportive of the trek and his father Ian will take part in a leg of the journey and host the drivers at his Aberdeen property one night.
"If there was a trek going anywhere in the state Big Brian would be there," said Ben.
"He was a special bloke, he'd do anything for anyone."
The trip leaves Dungog at 8am on Sunday, April 28 and returns on Friday, May 3 in what will be a trip of an average of 100 kilometres each day, at the speed of 18 kilometres an hour.
The vintage tractor loving enthusiasts will have an adventure and a half, with plenty of stops along the way at towns such as Stroud, Moonan Flat, Gundy, Aberdeen, Singleton, Lostock, Gresford and the Upper Allyn.
Rattlin Bones and Engine Groans Machinery Society welcomes the community to view these special pieces of farming history and chat to the drivers en route.
"There will be plenty of time to catch up with the locals who always love to come along and check out the history and meaning behind the trek," said Ben who will be driving his beloved grey 1948 TEA20 Ferguson.
"None of us are shy of having a chat either.
"Some of the tractors are like old family members and others come straight off the farm for the trek."
You can catch them at Dungog Showground on Saturday, April 27 from 3pm and again when they return on May 3 from 4:30pm.
Check out where they are each day through their Facebook page.
