Restoring tractors might seem like an unusual interest for your average 12-year-old.

So, just how does Year 5 student Flynn Darveniza end up interested in fixing tractors?

It probably helps that his dad Anthony works for Massey Ferguson.

It’s not every day your son comes to you saying that he wants to fix up a car.

But when Flynn did just that, his dad pointed him in the direction of tractors instead.

Flynn was immediately drawn to the grey Massey Ferguson.

As the first tractor many farmers could afford, the “little grey Fergie” as they are commonly known, was manufactured between 1946 and 1956.

It was credited with introducing agriculture to the masses.

The Ferguson marked a significant advance in tractor design as it is lightweight and small in size.

This significantly improves manoeuvrability and versatility.

The model also pioneered what is now known as the hydraulic three-point hitch system.

Asked why he is particularly interested in Fergusons, Flynn said it’s because they were “not too big” and “do most of the things you need”.

He also loves the sound that its engine makes.

He immediately set himself a mission to find a Ferguson to buy, fix up and sell.

Noticing one of their neighbours Leigh had a Ferguson, he knocked on his door, despite the fact they’d never met.

Leigh told him he wasn’t interested in selling, but it did form the start of a friendship.

So Flynn continued searching online for the perfect tractor.

Anthony recalls Flynn running into the kitchen one Saturday morning declaring that he had found one on Gumtree, which just happened to be in Moe.

They went and picked it up the next day.

The tractor, which had a bent accelerator, required new spark plugs and a new distributor cap.

The original rim had also rusted out and needed to be replaced.

Despite having been in the tractor industry for over 20 years, the restoration process tested Anthony.

However, Leigh, a former mechanic, was able to use his knowledge of tractors to assist with the process.

From time to time, he’s even been known to leave random tractor parts in the family’s letterbox.

The tractor is now up and running again, but there’s one more thing Flynn wants to do to it.

“Now we’re going to paint it and make it look brand new,” he said.

Given the amount of time they’ve spent on it, selling the tractor is no longer on the agenda at least for Flynn.

“That tractor has a story,” he said.

For Anthony, his son’s obsession with tractors can be scary at times.

Wanting to get another tractor, Flynn recently used a local phone box to inquire about purchasing one.

Despite that, seeing his son pursuing his interests has been worth it.

“I’ve never seen him smile as big as when that tractor started,” he said.

Cobram Courier Google News Panels

Thursday, 30th July 2026