The Snowy Scheme (both original and current) is one of the region’s biggest draw cards year-round with not just domestic but international interest and is described as one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world.

Snowy Mountains Historic Equipment Association (SMHEA) members have been storing an abundance of this local history in the form of heavy vehicles and equipment on private land across the region, hoping for, and working towards, an opportunity to establish a permanent undercover machinery display which can be open to the public.

So much local history is attached to the de-commissioned plant and machinery used to establish the region’s world-famous Snowy Hydro scheme that is sitting in collectors’ yards or paddocks, crying out for an all-weather shelter to be able to share with visitors a different side of the Snowy Scheme and at the same time provide the area with another significant tourist attraction.

The SMHEA was formed to preserve and restore historical equipment used in the construction of the Snowy Hydro Scheme. Fittingly, SMHEA uses the same acronym as the former Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority to demonstrate a connection with the organisation.

This dedicated band of residents from all walks of life and ages have one thing in common – to preserve history - and is quietly working away restoring equipment for the benefit of generations to come.

They have also been gathering many hundreds of photos, documents, books and other important memorabilia connected to the old Snowy scheme.

Every second year the club members hold a very popular Bredbo Truck and Machinery Show which attracts exhibits and crowds from across the country.

The show is an opportunity to publicly display the most impressive of the machinery, which is scattered about the region, and spread the word about an industry that has shaped the Snowy Monaro.

President, Phil Rye, has been the driving force behind the association.

He's been into big boys' toys for about 60 years now - working in roads, employing at one stage 140 staff, clearing snow off mountain roads for about 30 years and selling new imported snow removal equipment.

"I have since scaled down," Phil said, "I only employ one bloke these days, and work for only a few people now, but I have kept all the machines from dozers, rollers, graders and trucks.

"It was when I was about three I got interested in machines.

"I was standing at the front gate of our property and a bulldozer was driving up Dalgety Road, Berridale, and I knew the old fella driving, he only lived just down the road. He pulled up and give me a wave, so I raced over, and he took me for a drive up to the corner.

"My mother was having conniptions because she didn't know where I was," Phil laughed, "I got out at the corner and walked back home and said, 'I'm going to have one of these one day,' and now I have about 30 of them."

Phil's extensive collection, some of which are rare, includes hundreds of old Snowy vehicles and equipment, such as cranes, utes, Landrovers, trucks, scrapers and snow ploughs.

“I have a lot of old machines, maybe 200 or more, and I wanted to start a museum. I tried a few things, asking for assistance off the Snowy and a few people, but they said you have to have a club to get money.

“So, I started a club in 2006 … and now there are 65 members. Originally there was only four of us in it, and then when we got that organised, I asked for help again for money to build a museum and was told you have to do something with Adaminaby’s Snowy Museum.”

Although a supporter of the Snowy Scheme Museum at Adaminaby, Phil and the club believed it wasn’t the right location for what the club envisioned, and space was limited at the Adaminaby site.

“One of the advantages of being an incorporated club with everything above-board, is you can do your own registrations for historic vehicles.

“More and more people decided to join to get their old vehicles registered, not really because they were interested in what we are doing.

“However, my focus has always been just old machinery from the Snowy. I have been collecting Snowy stuff since I was about 13.”

Phil says the club is building a positive relationship with Snowy Hydro.

“We did something for them last year for their 75th anniversary celebrations, which was good.”

The company, he said, has indicated an interest in providing some museum funding, but has suggested the club also bring in a second major partner, such as Caterpillar.

“I think the Snowy will agree to the museum if another sponsor comes in, but I haven’t been able to get on to that yet,” Phil said.

The club alternates meetings between members’ properties, usually getting together four times a year.

The office bearers consist of a deputy president, secretary/treasurer, secondary treasurer, registry officer, two others that can sign registration papers, three mechanical inspectors and four safety officers.

Phil has not only been collecting Snowy Hydro machinery, he also has significant pieces from the district like the first Snowy River Shire grader towed by a horse or bullock, and further afield, including the Antarctic.

At 73, it takes a lot to stop Phil. Even with serious health issues, which requires treatment monthly, he continues to work and follow his dream to one day open a museum where all the precious machinery and equipment he, and others, have saved can be safely stored.

"I wouldn't stop, I've still got so many things to restore yet .... I'll have to live until I am 150 to get through them all," he joked.

If anyone happens to have spare land that's alongside a highway or in an easily accessible location on the tourist route to donate to a very worthy project Phil would love to hear from you.

Additionally, financial support to buy and erect a large shed would be appreciated.

The enthusiasm to turn this dream into a reality is still strong ... these people are not collectors of junk; they are historians and restorers. Every piece of equipment has an important story that can be shared and most, if not all, are still able to be operated.

"I'd like to get a bit of a museum going, otherwise when I kick the bucket it will I suppose just get sold off. It would be good to do something with it and keep it all together."

To get in touch with Phil or for further information go to the SMHEA Facebook group and leave a message.