Item of the Month - The Hallford Truck

Every month we shall highlight an artefact from the KVHS Collection. The item of the month for January is the “Hallford Truck” This is one of the most significant items in our collection. It was only in the past few years the current committee organised for the return of this truck to KVHS from the nearby Devondale factory. Our aim is to eventually have a safe display area where this truck can be permanently on view to the public.

Historical Information

The Hallford truck was made by J & E Hall, of Dartford, England, whose business commenced in 1785. In 1926 the Fisher family of Mongan's Bridge took delivery of the 1923 Hallford truck which was used on the farm to transport cream to the Kiewa Butter Factory in Tangambalanga. In 1967, the truck was sold to Mr. Greg Bedstead and other members of the Kiewa Valley Historical Society for the KVHS who reimbursed them at a later date. The truck was housed at the Butter Factory for many years and was paraded on special occasions. The truck was purchased for $380. It's chassis no. 2439 and the price included a spare chain. (Ref. E. Fisher, 18th Dec. 1969) The KVHS group who paid $50 each towards the Hallford truck were: T Pyle; James Grave; P & E. Barton; K Shoebridge; K Plenderleith and SK Pearce, refunded in 1971

Statement of Significance

This truck was used to transport cream to the Kiewa Butter Factory from the Fisher family's dairy farm at Mongan's Bridge. At other times a tyre was removed and a belt attached to run a chaff cutter. This truck has historical significance as it is representative of vehicles which were used by farmers to transport cream to the butter factories and used by a local family. Furthermore, it has social significance as KVHS members combined their finances to purchase this truck so it would be part of our collection. It has good provenance and has an excellent interpretive capacity.