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Golden Oldies bus muster almost breaks world record

The Dubbo Showground played host to dozens of retro buses in August, almost taking home a world record
muster

While a flurry of rain and wind hit many places across the country this month, sunshine peeked its head at the Dubbo Showground, welcoming vintages trucks, tractors and buses to the Golden Oldies Truck, Tractor and Quilt Show.

Over 3,500 attendees descended upon the New South Wales city, with the two-day event attracting an impressive 240 trucks, 43 buses, 45 tractors and nearly 130 quilts.

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Bringing together history and vehicle buffs from all over Australia, this year’s event decided to introduce a new section — its first ever bus muster. 

Event organiser and president of the Golden Oldies Club Jon Mancer says he was shocked at how many buses pulled up for the occasion. 

“Considering it was the first year of the muster, we were blown away by how many managed to make it down,” Mancer told ABC.

“Gathering 43 buses in one place is no easy feat, and we are proud that it all worked out.”

Buses new and old rocked up

While truck shows and events dominate the social calendar for vehicle enthusiasts throughout the year, Mancer was inspired to add the bus portion after recognising the lack of bus-specific representation. 

“Everywhere you look there is a truck or tractor show,” he says. “But you never see that many buses attending. So I thought let’s make it happen.”

Jumping on the phone to his friends in the industry, Mancer was able to generate some interest quickly, catching people on their way to the Mundi Mundi music festival. 

“We had buses from everywhere. Adelaide, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne. The whole country,” he laughs. 

There was plenty of variety

There was a bus for every taste on show, from Clippers, Dennings and another special model making an appearance. 

“We had seven Silver Eagles show up over the weekend, which was a great effort,” Mancer says. 

“The world record is eight Silver Eagles in one place, and we were only one off.

“We had more lined up to come but they couldn’t make it due to some issues with the buses. We will get them next time though!”

The muster saw a Denning Landseer double-decker and a few monos on display, with Mancer even bringing down his old beauty. 

“I’ve got an old Denning myself. It’s as rough as anything, but it made it down,” he laughs. 

His Denning is the first bus that had a tag axle made by Denning.

Haidley’s from up in Warwick managed to sneak in their unique Hino, painted in their colours with all original seating.  

“We had some really unique stuff come. The first imported Silver Eagle; an ex-greyhound, and lots of pretty cool buses.”

The Pioneer Express

Mancer wanted to not only celebrate buses, but to give back to the community, so charities and not-for-profit organisations were encouraged to get involved too. 

Through raffles and fundraising, dollars poured in for prostate cancer while Tradies in Sight fundraised for tradies’ mental health.

Running events like the bus muster isn’t easy, especially with only 12 active members including some of the original founders who are now in their 80s.

“We’re a very small club and we do an extremely good job, so I’d give us a pat on the back.”

The inaugural event sure made an impression with attendees, with the next instalment gearing up to be the biggest yet. 

“They’re all coming back,” Mancer says. “And they’re bringing their mates and their buses next time.”

“The 2026 bus muster will be huge I can already tell.”

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