MARCH 15, 2016: A group of enthusiasts who are keen to preserve the mechanical history of the Burdekin region and beyond have received a boost of nearly $10,000 under the Liberal National Government’s popular Stronger Communities Programme.The Burdekin Machinery Preservationists have been hard at work preserving machinery which dates back to the 1920s and it was a pleasure to recommend them for funding of $9,576.I met up with members of this group such as Alf Shand, Keith Battley and Tony Little to name just a few, on the weekend to see what they would achieve through this funding boost.These enthusiasts are preserving some of our sugar milling history and have diesel engines, alternators and switch gear which played a major role in the operation of the Kalamia and Inkerman mills in the Burdekin District.The funding boost will enable them to undertake a Public Viewing extension at their Power House project to provide a safe area for people to view the engines in operation.Burdekin Machinery Preservationists spokesperson Alf Shand said they were thrilled to secure funding.There is no other similar display like this in North Queensland, and it will be very popular with the local public and travelling tourists.The BMP Club is completing all of the installation of the engines and construction of the shed, so it’s also a great exercise in club member participation.