News

Holden WB utes unite for camaraderie

By Jaci Hicken

Jun 4, 2026

Shaun Trotter's campfire idea of gathering Holden WB utes has grown into a major event, with 211 utes converging at Perricoota Station on May 30. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Utez WB Run organiser Shaun Trotter has watched his campfire idea grow into a major gathering, with 211 Holden WB utes converging at Perricoota Station on Saturday, May 30.

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“WBs are a Holden ute that was produced from 1980 to 1984, before they went into the more rounded shape, Commodore utes,” Mr Trotter said.

“They have an old steel body, good old petrol engines, that were owned by a lot of farmers, tradesmen.”

“It was a work ute, which we all had and enjoyed when we were younger, and now we are middle-aged, I knew there were a lot of these utes out in sheds, and it was just a matter of trying to get them all together.”

Holden WB utes were produced from 1980 to 1984 and are known for their old steel body and petrol engines, popular among farmers and tradesmen. Pictured are Andrew and Janine Boyce and Jodie and Mark Bilney Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

What began as a simple gathering has experienced remarkable growth.

“The first year there were 53 utes, the second year 106, last year 157 and this year we had 211,” Mr Trotter said.

“They came from all parts of Australia.

“We had six come over on the boat from Tassie; people came from South Australia, ACT, Queensland, NSW and Victoria.”

The event has seen significant growth over the years, starting with 53 utes in the first year and reaching 211 utes this year, attracting participants from all over Australia. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The event has evolved beyond showcasing vehicles.

“The event is about people now, as much as the utes,” Mr Trotter said.

“About 90 per cent of the people that came along would come from rural towns, with 80 per cent being off properties.

“The event is about getting these people away from their busy jobs, downing tools and jumping off a tractor where they normally wouldn’t.

“There’s no prizes, there’s no judge, and none of that.

“They bring the old farm ute that they’ve just got out of the shed, if they’ve only heard about the event this year, to one guy that has spent $100,000 on these old utes.

“That guy will get out of that ute and chat to the guy from the other ute, and it’s just really good camaraderie.”

No matter the condition of your ute, others were interested, including Paul Haddrill and Michael Lewis. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The run supports local businesses, including Perricoota Station, Timbercutter and Moama RSL, with Two Lads Brewery making cans for the event and Worklocker Echuca producing the run’s shirts.

Activities included a paddle steamer trip on the PS Melbourne on Friday and Timbercutters did 480 lunches on Saturday.

Mr Trotter then organised Dyson Buses to take everyone to the Moama RSL for dinner on Saturday night.