To celebrate the centenary of the first Ronaldson-Tippett
engine the Ballarat Engine & Machinery Preservation Society Inc. hosted
the Centenary Rally at the Ballarat showgrounds. The showgrounds are only
a few hundred metres from the remains of the R-T factory on Creswick Road
which made for an ideal location.
Only products built by Ronaldson-Tippett were eligible to attend. Over 600
exhibits were entered in the rally and many rare items were exhibited. Exhibitors
traveled great distances to attend and it made for an excellent event. The
rally was opened by Gilbert Tippett (nephew of one of the founders) and
he gave a fascinating speech on the history of the company. There was a
well attended dinner for the entrants on the Saturday night. It was held
on the grounds in the memorabilia pavilion where an amazing collection was
on display. As well as original casting patterns there were many books,
ledgers, photographs, catalogues, parts books, signs, and drawings.
The rally was very efficiently organised and run (apart from a lack of water
on Saturday) and a great time was had by both exhibitors and spectators.
The BEMPS club members worked long and hard and their enthusiasm was endless.
Now all we have to do is wait for the Bicentenary in 2104…
This is only a small selection of the exhibits at the rally.
No.1874
(my engine) returns to the factory for the first time since 1917!
No. 1874. 3.5hp of 1917 (in the background of this shot, above
the engines tank, can be seen the remains of the R-T factory).
No.1874.
3.5hp of 1917
No.79 (Oldest surviving engine)
No.132. (pushrod Austral)
No.136.
4hp of 1907 (pushrod Austral)
The remains of an unknown early vertical
No.784 (original
number unknown. This is a rebuilt pushrod engine).
No.2868 of 1920
No.5516. 3hp of 1925
No.5486. of 1925
No.4027. of 1922
No.5864. 4hp of 1927
No.7150. 4hp of 1928
No.4343 5hp of 1922
5hp
No.328
No.5457. 6hp of 1925
No.3399
of 1921
3hp
3hp
4hp
No.3000.
8hp of 1920 (Sold by Horwood & Co.)
No.2514.
20hp of 1919
No.2818.
16hp of 1920
No.1581.
11hp of 1916
No.5810.
8hp of 1925
No.648.
7.5hp of 1911
No.7782. 5hp of 1929
No.7456.
3hp of 1928
No.3091. 6hp of 1920
No.6342. 4hp of 1927