Zenith Douglas Pearn

Zenith Douglas Pearn, was born on the 8th April 1923. Despite his mother choosing the name Douglas, his father registered his birth with the more unusual name of Zenith (Zen), which he had taken from a carburettor of a vehicle called a Cubit.

Although capable in the operation of steam traction engines, Zen preferred diesel power. In the 1950s the brothers purchased bull dozers and excavation equipment with the majority of the contracting jobs throughout the North of the State undertaken by Zen.

Along with his brothers, Zen also attended the Glenore school and was awarded a Merit Certificate which would have allowed him to attend high school in Launceston. It was an opportunity he didn’t take up.

During the Second world War, Zen served in the Australian Army as a gunner, but large guns were of little use in jungle warfare, so he was redeployed to Cairns where he spent his time loading and unloading war supplies at the wharf.

Despite collecting many of the older tractors at the museum, his first love was vintage cars. Along with his wife Gladys, they attended many rallies throughout Australia. At one time he owned and restored an early model Citroen and an American made Reo, along with a Black Panther motor bike.

Zen died on the 8th August 2002 after a short illness at the age of 79.

He was survived by his wife Gladys.