More than 50 historic cars, including Fords dating back to 1913, travelled from Clunes to Creswick in a rally on Saturday.
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The run, organised by the Maryborough District Historic Vehicle Club, also commemorated a little known chapter of the region’s wartime history.
Rally director Geoff Trengove has been hard at work over recent weeks, researching what residents did back home during World War I.
In 1915, a “monster run” of more than 50 Fords travelled from Ballarat to Creswick, all flying Belgium’s black, yellow and red flag.
“Why the Belgian flag? The answer is 1915,” Mr Trengove said. “Belgium was under attack from Germany, it was a patriotic gesture from the allies.”
On Saturday morning, cars arrived at the School of Forestry at Creswick, carrying Belgium flags just as the Fords did in 1915.
According to the Ballarat Star, the travelling party in 1915, including Creswick-born Premier Alexander Peacock, were treated to “dainty tea and sweets”.
