BLUEY

The Anson Street School Austin Truck

In 2012, students from Anson Street School in Orange began an ambitious automotive project — restoring a weather-beaten 1949 Austin truck.

The restoration formed part of the school’s automotive program, established in 2008 by Principal Garry Brotherton to give students practical, hands-on skills and help prepare them for life beyond school.

Anson Street School is a School for Specific Purposes catering for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with a diverse range of learning and support needs.

Over two years, students worked alongside automotive teacher David Gell, local mechanical specialist Peter Keegan, School General Assistant Ted Thornberry, and community volunteers.

The project provided far more than mechanical experience. Students developed teamwork, literacy and numeracy skills while sanding panels, inspecting mechanical components, completing forms, preparing reports and taking accurate measurements.

One of the restoration’s most distinctive features was the construction of a new timber rear tray. Students and staff involved in the project engraved their names into the timber, leaving a lasting record of those who helped bring the truck back to life.

The Austin was completed in 2014 and became a proud achievement for Anson Street School. It was registered and used locally for several years.

In 2025, after ongoing mechanical issues became difficult for the school to manage, the truck was sold to the Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club Inc., ensuring it would remain in the Orange community and continue to be displayed and enjoyed by the public.

A vote of members at the July 2026 Gnoo Blas General Members Meeting selected the name “Bluey” from a shortened list of names proposed over the previous month by members of the club. The Gnoo Blas member who proposed the winning name was John Swadling.

In June 2026, a working bee set about to strip the existing varnished finish off the tray and gave it a fresh protective coating of oil. Steve Evans with assistance from a small team of other club members spent many hours on the truck ensuring that Bluey was able to pass inspection and be registered. Bluey is occasionly taken on the road to be displayed at various shows and community events.

Today, the Austin is much more than a restored classic truck. It represents an important local story of education, teamwork, practical learning and community involvement.

Peter Keegan Remembers…

Reflecting on the restoration in January 2026, Peter Keegan recalled that much of the work involved repairing and reusing existing components rather than simply replacing them.

He repaired dents and damage to the cab, straightened the doors, modified the front bumper area and selected the truck’s distinctive colour. The engine was removed and inspected, while students helped prepare the bodywork and worked with David Gell on the timber tray.

Peter also remembered the contribution of Ted Thornberry to the mechanical work and Garry Davidson of Orange Motor Trimmers, who completed the interior upholstery.

Looking back on the finished project, Peter simply recalled:

“When it was all finished, I thought it looked pretty nice.”