Land Rover lovers prepare to celebrate significant milestone

Land Rover owners are preparing to invade the NSW town of Cooma this Easter, to celebrate the 75h anniversary of the brand’s involvement with the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme.

Seen by many as the spiritual home of Land Rover in Australia, Cooma plays a significant role in the history of the British brand in Australia, as the Series 1 was launched in 1948 – a year before commencement of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

The Snowy Mountains scheme – which consisted of 16 major dams, nine power stations, two pumping stations and an incredible 225km of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts – was constructed between 1949 and 1974. More than 700 Land Rovers were used to tame the High Country’s mountainous terrain during the works, cementing the brand’s reputation in Australia and resulting in the success of the Series 2.

The Cooma Car Club is co-ordinating the upcoming celebration.

“They took part in various aspects of Australian life and won a lot of hearts," Cooma Car Club president Rogan Corbett said. "As a result, our festival will show off almost every variation of this mighty machine, from renovated to restored, rare conversions, military derivatives and more.”

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Perhaps the mightiest Land Rover in existence – the Oxford, one of two Series 1 Land Rovers that took part in the historic Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition of 1955 (a six-month journey from London to Singapore, commissioned by David Attenborough) – will be in attendance, with many Landy buffs sure to flock to it for a photo or two.

The celebrations will officially begin on Good Friday, April 7, with an action-packed weekend consisting of navigation trials, off-road trials, tag-along tours to visit local sites of interest, live music, and a gala dinner. The majority of the event will be held at the Cooma Showground including swap meets, interviews, book signings, and a show and shine.

The grand parade will take place on Easter Sunday, April 9, with the convoy of registered vehicles to journey down Sharp Street to the Cooma Showground. The event will conclude with a farewell breakfast at the showground, on Monday, April 10.

More than 700 Land Rovers are expected to gather for the celebrations. For more information, visit the Cooma Car Club.