Muscle versus dump truck

Golding’s ladies team put in a massive effort at the Mt Perry dump truck pull.

Scottie Simmonds

STRAINED grunts and shoes being scuffed were heard all throughout Mt Perry on Saturday afternoon with hundreds gathering for the annual Mt Perry Dump Truck Pull.

Teams from across the region limbered up to see how fast they could pull a dump truck from the nearby gold mine over a 10m course.

The oldest team to take the challenge comprised of men rapidly approaching 60 who were all members of the Masonic Lodge.

But age did not hold them back with the team taking out the $500 third prize in the open division. The team's prize was donated back to the school's chaplaincy service.

Dennis Frame, who co-ordinated the team, said the Ye Old Farts were proud of their advanced years.

“Last year we came and were dressed as a bit of a motley crew in our work clothes and another team was saying that it should not be too hard to beat the ‘old farts',” he said.

“This year we decided to take that name on.”

While the team is not sure of its official time, it is still proud of its efforts.

“It was terrific. All of us older guys were feeling like we were super human for the rest of the day,” he said.

“The guys are already talking about going back again next year and having another go.”

Teams of 12 men, 16 women and 14 high school students all tried to get the dump truck across the line as fast as possible for the $1000 prize in the open division.

Nine adult teams and two high school teams entered the competition with the Golding A team recording the fastest time in the open division and Monto State High School crowned the fastest high school.

Seven primary school teams of eight took up the challenge of pulling a fire truck over 10m for a $1000 prize. Mt Perry State School took out the primary division.

Organiser Amanda Dingle said between 400 and 500 people had shown up to the event.

She had not finished counting the money raised for the school's chaplaincy service and Youth Insearch.