Tudor House and Billy Carts are like bacon and eggs. The perfect pair and synonymous connected. However, it is unclear when the first Billy Carts were built or brought to Tudor House, but it is safe to say that Billy Carts have been part of the fabric of the School for decades.
Boarders piling into Billy Carts at the back of Meyer House and ripping down the hill into the swamp provided hours of fun for generations of Tudorians on quiet afternoons and lazy Sundays.
In 1999, then Headmaster Alan Russell made the decision to start a Billy Cart Derby.
The following is noted in the Tudorian of that year:
“At the end of Term 3 the boys and their parents were given the challenge to make a billy cart during the holidays and to take part in a grand Billy Cart Derby on Saturday 27 November. Many hours of work went into the making of the billy carts, and the combined expertise of man and boy produced a myriad of machines. There were all shapes and sizes, some made from wood or metal, some shaped as cars, one a vintage model, and many whose shape defied description. The wheels had been recycled from bikes, trolleys and prams, and the steering and brake mechanisms were, on the whole, decidedly of original design. The boys spent many hours practicing with the carts, refining the design, testing the brakes, developing race plans and generally increasing their speed — and vulnerability.
When the day finally arrived and the races were about to start, a large NRMA breakdown truck with lights flashing made its way around the drive, stopping in front of Inman House. On its tray was a Kindergarten boy, Aidan Henson’s small wooden billy cart carefully chained and hooked on. The cart was carefully lowered to the ground, and the races could begin.
The four-member team events took place around the drive, with the teams racing in age categories. Drivers and pushers changed places at every checkpoint. The course for the pairs and individual drivers was down the new track to RB Darke oval, and each competitor strove to make it to the bottom in the best time. Great driving skill was required to negotiate a tricky corner which was on a rise with a rather uneven surface, and the general consensus was that to survive that corner and make it to the bottom without capsizing or breaking a wheel constituted a win — so there were lots of winners.
It was a fun day with lots of laughter. Plans are already afoot for next year’s race and secret designs are already being discussed. Who will be the first Captain of Billy Carts?”
Since the first Derby in 1999 when Ben Hasko took out the downhill race, the event has grown into one of the most beloved and anticipated Tudor House events.
In recent years the Billy Cart Derby has moved to the Saturday before Father’s Day and has become a huge community celebration. Two cups for the fastest downhill speed and the fastest circuit lap have heightened the level of competition and enthusiasm and the Old Tudorians race has captured the hearts of recent graduates and those that left the School many moons ago.
The 28th edition of the Billy Cart Derby was held on Saturday 5 September and this year our Year 5 circuit champions, Grace, Florence, Nickie and Grace, who crossed the finish line in an impressive 2 minutes and 3 seconds.
In the downhill event, Year 6 student, Sienna recorded the fastest run of the day, reaching 47 km/h in her cart, Silver Bullet #44.
