![Claude Fuller, Temora, NSW, and Neville Thompson, Young, NSW, at Loxton after travelling to Keith last week. Picture by Liam Wormald Claude Fuller, Temora, NSW, and Neville Thompson, Young, NSW, at Loxton after travelling to Keith last week. Picture by Liam Wormald](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/195995809/bcbd4021-cfbc-4b73-9730-a254adbedbf0.JPG/r347_0_5507_3853_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Exploring Australia as part of a trek in a tractor is a great way to see the sights and raise money for a much needed cause.
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Established in 1999 through a group of farmers and Chamberlain tractor owners putting article in the Farm Weekly, the Chamberlain 9G Tractor Club of WA members have forged a variety of memories.
All money raised through the major treks completed by the Tractor 9G WA Club is given to the children's wards of Australian hospitals and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with money from the secondary treks given to local community groups.
For Neville Thompson, the opportunity to join the tractor club was one he quickly looked to make the most of.
"There was an ad in The Land newspaper about a trip from Steep Point to Byron Bay and I replied to it," he said.
Mr Thompson said through undertaking major treks the club has been able to raise a large amount of money for the RFDS.
"In excess of $240,000 has been raised, but raising money isn't the sole object of the treks, it's also about having fun and seeing some of the country," he said.
There are a number of members of the club from throughout Australia, Mr Thompson said.
"There's about 60 members in the east and about 70 members in the west," he said.
"We've got an eastern branch and nearly all of them have got at least one tractor."
After recently attending the final Keith Diesel and Dirt Derby, Mr Thompson said he and fellow club member Claude Fuller have had some memorable treks through the years.
"The first one across the Simpson Desert was the best part," he said.
"Five of us went across America that was a good trip and that would be right up there.
"It took three months to get across America and they're all a friendly crowd over there, like most Aussies are too."
Mr Fuller has always had a passion for Chamberlain 9G tractors, he said.
"The year I was born the old man bought one and I rode around in a box on the floor wrapped up in a blanket, when I was only six months old," he said.
In 2010 Mr Fuller joined the Tractor 9G WA Club and said he had throughly enjoyed meeting people throughout his treks.
"Once people see the tractor, they say 'this bloke down the road has got a big tractor collection and he probably wouldn't mind talking to you' and the people you meet is unreal," he said.
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While COVID restricted many people from travelling, it did not stop Mr Thompson and Mr Fuller from travelling across the country in 2021, Mr Fuller said.
"We had everything in place, with border passes and we had to stop in some places to get through some borders, but it was really good," he said.
Mr Fuller said, alongside Mr Thompson, they have planned to go across Australia again next year and will continue to go on more treks in the future.
"When the treks finish we won't be here, because we're gonna keep going until we drop," he said.
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