General News
3 October, 2025
Model T’s roll into Dunolly to much fanfare
Century-old Model T Fords descended on Dunolly earlier this week as part of an eight-day national rally.
Over a hundred carefully restored Model T Fords delighted Dunolly residents on Monday as part of the fifteenth Australian National Rally.
Although many were over a century old, the classic Fords that converged on Dunolly this week looked like they just rolled off the assembly line.
Hosted by the Model T Ford Club of Victoria, the day’s excitement was just one of eight for the club, with the rally running from September 27 to October 4.
Based out of Ballarat, with day-long runs out into regional towns like Dunolly, the club’s rally director, Geof Baulch, said it was all about enjoying the cars and sharing them with others.
“There’s really old cars out there still motoring around with people enjoying them,” he said.
“Everywhere you drive, people stop, no matter what they’re doing, and they’ll give you a wave. I’ve got other classic cars and it’s just not the same.”
It’s his 1924 Model T Ford Tourer that stands out from the rest, not only because it’s been restored better than original condition, but because it’s been in his family since his great-grandfather bought it new.
It predates the first Ford factory in Australia, opened in Geelong in 1925, and instead would have been sent over from Canada as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) chassis to avoid import duties.
Local dealers would then build the body, Mr Baulch said, which helped explain the diversity of Model T aesthetics seen in the club.
Among them was Cameron Smythe’s wooden-cabbed Model T ute, which had its own family connection.
Burned into the ute’s tray were the words “your last ride on Earth” honouring the last drive he and his dad would ever have together — carrying his casket in 2019.
“Miss ya ol boy,” it read.
To end the day, numerous club members and their head-turning cars went to MDHS’ Dunolly campus to give rides to residents.
The campus’ director of nursing, Donna Bell, said it brought back many happy memories from residents’ pasts.
“This gave all residents the opportunity to engage in conversation and reminisce about their own past experiences with cars,” she said.
“We are so grateful to the club for taking the time to bring so much joy to the residents. It was truly a wonderful occasion for everyone involved.”
Although not a resident, Maria Wright said the rattling car brought her back to the “olden days” when horses were how people got around.
“I reckon it’d be pretty hard to sit in it for long,” she said.
Seeing the car’s bodywork shining in the afternoon sun, her memory went back to her husband polishing his collection of guns.
“I used to say ‘if I got stroked as much as they did I’d be purring’,” she said.
“I was flattered I could have a ride in that car.”
A drive down memory lane was a sentiment shared by Ted McClelland who, when arriving back at campus, said he had a tear in his eye.
It’s the sort of outcome that’s at the heart of why Mr Baulch is a part of the club.
“We like to put smiles on people’s faces,” he said.
