Bringing the Past to Life: Restoration, Innovation and the Kennards Hire Museum

By Matthew Thomson, Kennards Hire Museum Manager

At Kennards Hire, our history isn’t something we simply archive - it’s something we bring back to life. The Kennards Hire Museum stands as a testament to that philosophy, preserving more than 75 years of hire equipment while ensuring the stories behind each machine continue to be experienced, not just remembered.

What began in the 1990s as a small effort to retain a handful of legacy machines has grown into a collection of more than 700 pieces of equipment. From vintage tractors and classic 1950s work Utes to early compressors and generators, every item represents a significant chapter in both our business and the broader hire industry.

As Andy Kennard reflects, holding on to these machines is more than just nostalgia, “There was something about the idea of throwing these pieces… away that just didn’t feel right.” That thinking continues to guide the museum equipment collection today.

A defining feature of the collection is our commitment to restoration. These aren’t static exhibits, they’re working machines. Our team painstakingly restores equipment to its original condition wherever possible, often sourcing parts, collaborating with suppliers, and applying traditional mechanical skills that are becoming increasingly rare. The process can take months, even years, but the result is something truly special: equipment that looks, feels and runs as it once did.

There’s an undeniable energy in hearing a decades-old engine start up again. It connects visitors directly to the past in a way that signage or photos simply cannot. It also highlights how far our industry has progressed, particularly in areas like safety, efficiency and technology, while reinforcing the durability and ingenuity of earlier designs.

Since opening to the public, the Kennards Hire Museum has quickly become a place of connection. Experienced tradies often rediscover tools they once used daily, while younger visitors gain a new appreciation for the evolution of equipment. Each visit offers a different perspective, but the takeaway is always the same: progress doesn’t happen without strong foundations.

With International Museum Day celebrated around the world annually on 18 May we acknowledge that, more than anything, the Kennards Hire Museum is about keeping history working. It’s about recognising the role this equipment has played in building homes, infrastructure and communities across Australia and New Zealand and ensuring those contributions aren’t forgotten.

To see our equipment collection in action, explore our videos on YouTube.

And if you’re in Sydney, we invite you to visit us in person and experience it for yourself!