At 21 he joined the Fire and Rescue NSW, a member for 34 years obtained the rank of Senior Fire Fighter and Engine Keeper. A National Medal with 1 clasp and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with 2 clasp to name only two of many awards.
After marrying Susan, and wanting to start a family, in 1986 they found themselves able to purchase the garage in Darling Street, Wentworth, better known at Strothers. This proved very successful in servicing all types of vehicles as necessitated in a country community. The livelihood of many farmers depended on their vehicles and machinery especially during shearing and harvest seasons.
Being the NRMA agent in Wentworth, there were many call outs! Many a long night travelling through isolated areas in outback New South Wales.
After about 15 years, an opportunity presented, to purchase a large space, the ‘Delta Co-op’ at Curlwaa and the building became the expanded McKenzie’s Garage.
In 2012 Alan joined the NSW Rural Fire Service in Curlwaa, where he served many of his 12-year involvement as Deputy Captain.
His passion remained and his memberships of the Sunraysia Vintage Machinery Society, Mildura Vintage Vehicles Club, and the Tractor Restoration and Appreciation Club, all exceed 20 years, some 30 years – all involving varying types of vehicles to which Alan provided his ‘mechanical expertise’.
The “Fergie Rally” is celebrated every 5 years, no surprises that Alan has been a committee member since its inception. Ferguson tractors travel from most states around Australia to attend and form part of the parade into Wentworth. Many locals drive their Fergie’s in the parade, some are transported. The parade of ‘Fergie’s’ is something special says Alan. Some of these tractors are amazing work horses on the ‘blocks’ around here, they just keep giving.
The little grey Ferguson tractor nicknamed ‘Fergie’ wrote itself into local history through the integral part it played in saving Wentworth from the floods of 1956. Flood waters raced towards Wentworth from both the Darling and Murray rivers, resulting in a third of Wentworth being under water. Many described Wentworth as an island in an inland sea. The tenacious will of the Wentworth people saw them stay and fight to save their town from ruin when all authorities were urging them to evacuate.
The Wentworth Junction Rally was first held in 1992 after a group of like-minded individuals wanted to create an event where people of all ages could display and view items from ‘time gone-by’. Alan was one of those originals on the organising committee and is excited about how the momentum has built over the past 30 years. The Rally includes vintage machinery from paddleboats, classic riverboats, tractors, trucks, bikes, cars, and steam engines.
Alan tells a story of some visitors travelling in a 1915 T-model Ford driving through Wentworth when the unthinkable happened, a break-down. Yes, it was referred to Alan, a drive of some 70 kms away where he was able to ‘fix the issue’ and send them on their way. “Another day in paradise” claimed Alan.
This quietly spoken gentleman, with grease under his fingernails and a dry wit, enjoys everyday he can recondition, restore, and rejuvenate with all types of vehicles but when you see his eyes light up, you know he is talking or ‘having a play’ with a vintage vehicle. Many people with vintage vehicles in the area, have Alan service it, to keep it in fine running order. They all appreciate and value Alan’s mechanical knowledge and skill.
As a change of pace to his daily ‘workshop’, Alan joined the Curlwaa Fruit Growers and Progress Association in 2000 and has seen him as President since 2016. This group act as an advisory to Wentworth Council, coordinate Anzac Day Service, and generally keep the community involved in local happenings. This community may have around 300 residents, not huge, but resourceful and thoughtful and appreciative of Alan and Susan’s contribution.
Sharing Alan’s Garage, Susan became the local Post Mistress, servicing the community from a private section of the workshop – a sociable community hub!
With their children now independent, Susan, became an active member of the Wentworth Show Society in 2004 and held executive positions for 16 years both as President and Secretary, given Life Member in 2020 then comfortably a committee member, before resigning after 20 years of service.
It was such a pleasure to hear of Alan’s life journey. He and Susan live in Wentworth, close to the junction of Australia’s greatest two rivers, where they enjoy their lifestyle, tranquillity of a small town, and importantly its people. They have no plans to move – unless they move residence to Curlwaa, some 7kms away to be closer to Alan’s ‘Man Cave’ aka McKenzie Garage.