In an age of electronic distraction and instant gratification, it was both a pleasant surprise and a real breath of fresh air to see an outstanding lineup of model trucks entered into the Gore Truck Show – Model Truck Show, held over King’s Birthday weekend.

Those in the know understand the depth of passion throughout the South for the transport industry and all things trucking. Truck shows are taken very seriously, with prizes and accolades being actively competed for. The passion for the industry starts at a young age in these parts, and is in fact promoted in a refreshingly positive light. To arrive at the Gore Truck Show this year and find a four-axle flatdeck trailer parked inside, covered in white printer paper with model trucks on display, was a welcome surprise.

Chatting to the organiser of the Model Truck Show, Brylea Eaves, we find that the model truck display and competition has been an integral feature of the Gore Truck Show for quite some years now.

“Our good family friend Rhonda Wilson, who organises the Gore Truck Show, was also organising the model show and competition as well. I have been assisting Rhonda, and this year I have now taken over the reins to ease the load on her a bit. It is a big part of the main truck show, with both young and old entering models into the display and competition, with some great prizes up for grabs as well,” says Brylea.

“And you are never too young to start either, because as you will see, there is a lineup of entries that have come in from the kids at the Elsie Street Kindergarten here in Gore.”

An extremely interesting observation, looking over the collection of model trucks laid out on the trailer deck, was that all manner of building mediums, materials and household items had been used to construct the individual creations. From your carved-out-of-wood works of art, through to cut-from cardboard creations, and not to forget the limitless options that Lego bricks also offer, it was all there on display.

The resourcefulness across the board was commendable, with some solid creative brainstorming playing a major role in all the builds. As mentioned, it was so refreshing to see the level of enthusiasm for the hobby of constructing model trucks alive and well in the South. This interest most definitely needs to be nurtured and built upon, and the likes of Brylea and Rhonda need medals for the efforts that they have already committed to that very cause.

Thank you and well done to the both of you from all of us here at New Zealand Trucking magazine.

Congratulations to all the amazing entries; there was a great display of creative ingenuity.