Dunmunkle Sump Oilers Machinery Preservation Inc.
Formed 6th May 1991:
At public Meeting held at the Rupanyup Historical Society with intention of forming a club for those interested in machinery preservation.
Meeting's intention was to provide an avenue for collecting, restoring and preservation of Australian vintage historical equipment.
An organisation to Bring together members with similar interests.

1991:
In that first year there were 8 members.
By 2001-02, membership was in excess of 70,
2023 24, more than 100.

Most members are local, others come from Birchip, Nhill, Ararat, Natimuk and Geelong.
Many have their own collections of vintage engines, tractors, farm machinery, household items, model toys Etc.

But all are passionate about the importance of having working record of our pioneer mechanical history keep for future generations.
2021:
Dunmunkle Sump Oilers Machinery Preservation Inc. purchased the historic Wimmera Inland Freezing Works, which housed The Hornsby Dunmunkle Sump Oilers Engines still on thier original beds. With a view of preserving these incredible engines, making them, the only engines of their kind anywhere in the world to remain in their original location.
Dunmunkle Sump Oilers purchased the current location in 2001 to preserve the ..
This existing building had been ravaged by time and neglect, was un-usable .
Funding was obtained to build a new shed over the existing engines and their beds,


The Dunmunkle Sump Oilers Version 1.0 Page 28 Dunmunkle Sump Oilers Machinery Preservation Inc. The Club The Dunmunkle Sump Oilers Machinery Preservation Inc. was formed at a public meeting on the 6th of May 1991 at the Rupanyup Historical Society with the intention of forming a club for those interested in machinery preservation. The club focus was to give interested people of the district who were in collecting vintage machinery, an appropriate organization consisting of members with similar interests. In the first year there were eight members. By the year 2001-2002, membership had grown to in excess of 70, and today stands at more than 95. The membership consists mainly of local people coming from as far as Birchip and Nhill in the North, Ararat in the south, Natimuk in the West and a many places in between. In addition there are members from more distant locations in the Western Districts and Geelong. Most members have their own collections of vintage engines and tractors, general vintage farm machinery, household items of days gone by and model toys from yesteryear and more current times. Purchase of freezing works site. The Club, at its formation, had no headquarters or permanent meeting place. Meetings were held at a hire venue in Rupanyup. The Committee and Members of the Club were aware of the existence of our current property and the four large Hornsby gas engines located at the former Wimmera Inland Freezing works site at Murtoa. At the Freezing works site most of the superstructure had been removed or fallen down but the engines remained within the original and very sad engine shed. While the engines remained they had suffered the ravages of the elements over this time. A decision was make to purchase this part of this property with a view to establishing a headquarters, restoration of the engine shed and engines, and provide a permanent base for our operations and rallies. The Club members were also concerned that the engines within the building may have been lost to an overseas group, particularly someone from the UK or USA. On the 10th of April 2001 the Club finalized the purchase for the sum of $60,000 with Mr M Schier owner of the site. The land purchased has an area of 10 acres. The vendor agreed to the Club paying off the property over a period of 10 years, and this was achieved by 2004. (3 years) Development of the Club Grounds Since the purchase, there have been an incredible number of working bees to clean away the demolition debris and remove huge amounts of rubbish. A State Government grant was applied for so that the large dilapidated engine shed could be demolished and replaced with a new one and additional amenities provided. This grant application for $104,000 was successful with the Club raising $56,000 the meet the cost of the works proposed. The new shed was completed as well as a new modern design toilet block incorporating showers and facilities for the use of exhibitors and public at our various functions, including campers at our engine rallies. Construction delays caused price overruns amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, all of which have been met by Club funds. Money raised for these payments has been the result of many hours of fund raising by members; these efforts are still occurring. In order for the engines to be operated they have been converted to run on petrol rather than using the original producer gas equipment. All of the development work required for this has been undertaken by club members. Today the Club is well established and our annual rally on the first weekend in October is held in conjunction with the Murtoa Big Weekend and is a must for engine enthusiasts and the public alike doug.clarke.52@gmail.com







Murtoa vintage engine museum is Housed in the historic Wimmera Inland Freezing Works buildings at the East end of Murtoa
is a collection of dedicated members committed to making sure historic machinery used by our wonderful Australian pioneers
Over time, volunteers have spent thousands of hours restoring many old vintage Engines, Machinery,Tractors etc to produced an extensive range of working vintage engines, generators and water pumps.
Truly watching them run is an unforgettable experience, and the Sumpoilers have added a wonderful array of other engines, allied items and ...
We have a engine shed at murtoa with four big Ruston Hornsby engines we have an engine...
Wimmera Highway, Murtoa, Victoria. Description.



Annually: First Weekend in OctoberMurtoa’s Big Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) Watch for other opening times: Facebook.com/Dunmunkle Sumpoilers Rupanyup Rd / Wimmera Highway, Murtoa Ph: 03 5359 6273 Email: sumpoilers@gmail.com t is a rare sight to see a collection of massive Ruston-Hornsby engines, known as Dunmunkle Sumpoilers, in one place. These wonderfully preserved engines, all shiny and in perfect working order still exist thanks to their private owners who collaboratively come together to share them with the public. Housed in the historic Wimmera Inland Freezing Works buildings at the East end of Murtoa and impressive in size, each weighing up to twenty tonnes or so, the Dunmunkle Sumpoilers were originally used to generate power for the factory’s refrigeration operations back in 1911. Watching them run is a truly unforgettable experience and a real priviledge as the Sumpoilers are only shown in action during Murtoa’s Big Weekend, held at the start of October each year. The Dunmunkle Sumpoilers are not available for casual viewing. We apologise for any inconvenience. ABOUT DUNMUNKLE
We have multiple static and live machinery demonstrations.


https://ruston12h.com/

https://www.sumpoilers.com/ Housed in the historic Wimmera Inland Freezing Works buildings at the East end of Murtoa, Victoria, the Dunmunkle Sump Oilers keep the Richard Hornsby engines, and other, in working order. The society also collects old engines and machinery tractors. The four Richard Hornsby Engines were assembled in Murtoa, Victoria for an inland abattoir and freezing facility established in 1912. These engines are the only engines of their kind still on their original bases anywhere in the world. https://theweeklyadvertiser.com.au/articles/slice-of-history-at-murtoa/ Home Our Machines About Contact search Hornsby Engines Linde Ammonia Compressors The Generators AboutContact