FROM THE PRESIDENT
Members our 17th AGM was a great success and a huge thank you to Garry and Joy Eyles who worked tirelessly for the success of the event, as well as a group of helpers from the Club who assisted at the event, helping out with BBQ’s and setting things up etc.
The Capital Country Caravan Park put on a fantastic spread of food in their dining room on the Saturday night and we were looked after royally, with plenty of food left for those who wanted seconds.
We were extremely fortunate on the rally day as Sydney and the mid north coast was being flooded by a huge low pressure system. The day was grey, and there were a few light showers, but we were able to complete the rally without hassles. That night it pretty well rained all night and drizzled all the next day.
On the Monday when the main VIC contingent departed, we copped a bit of rain, but on the Tuesday, we had rain all day from Tumut to Bright. The Wednesday was dry and what a relief that was after being soaked the day before.
The days surrounding the AGM were not incident-free.
On the first day of the VIC mob ride to Sutton, Jon Hinton came to grief and busted 8 ribs after falling off on a mountain pass on the way into Jamieson. Charles and I came around a corner to see Jon immobile on his back except for a waving hand on the side of the road, next to his bike. We quickly got into place to slow down any oncoming traffic and the Jamieson policeman was there in no time. Then the paramedics arrived, and a second police car, and the Jamieson towie. All these guys were so professional and they did everything possible to help Jon, who was soon whisked away via helicopter from the Jamieson helicopter paddock to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Fortunately there were to be no further incidents such as this for the duration of the AGM activities.
On Friday April 9th, a group of us attended the funeral service of Sir Roy Taylor at Michael Crawford Funerals at Bacchus Marsh. He did a huge amount of work behind the scenes for the Club and will be missed by all who knew him. The family was pleased that a few of us could turn up on bikes, and in fact Sir Roy’s son Chris had brought Sir Roy’s R.E. Crusader down and it was placed in the chapel along with some photos and Sir Roy’s jacket. After the service we walked across the road and round the corner to the Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club for light refreshments and had the opportunity to catch up with the extended family of Sir Roy before heading home.
I exhort all Victorian members to join in on the Veterans MC VIC Chapter “Ride to the Rally for a Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide”. We are departing the Racecourse Hotel (895 Dandenong Rd Malvern East) on Saturday 24th April at 8am. This ride is obviously happening on the day before ANZAC Day, and Veterans MC has invited all clubs and riders. There is an alarming level of veteran suicide occurring and this is part of a plea for action to be taken to assist veterans by requesting that a Royal Commission takes place. We will depart the Racecourse at 8am and then re-group at East Link BP Southbound for departure at 9am for the Shrine of Remembrance, departing there for Parliament House Victoria at 10.30am.
If you check the National Ride Calendar you will see a few rides coming up in VIC and NSW. There is also a plan to have another Volcanic Plains Rally around September in SA / VIC, currently being discussed on the forum, which reminds me that many new members are not yet on the forum. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you can’t get online.
REgards,
Anthony Wright
President.