The Royal Enfield Club of Australia
Capital Country AGM 2020
By Craig Katen
The Royal Enfield Club of Australia’s 17th AGM was held from the 19th to the 21th March 2021 at the Capital Country Holiday Park at Sutton NSW just north of the ACT border.
It was originally scheduled to be held on the 6th – 8 th of November 2020, however due to COVID-19 restrictions and border closures it was decided to be postponed until March 2021 to increase the possibility of members from all states to be able to attend.
The area of Sutton, meaning ‘South Settlement’ in Saxon, is a small village in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Yass Valley Shire. It is situated on the west bank of the Yass River, about 17 kilometres south of Gundaroo, near the Federal Highway, not far from Canberra. It provided a location that was accessible to members coming from the southern states and only 3 hours from Sydney. The geography lends itself to gentle rolling hills through grazing lands perfect for motorcycling, with numerous local townships for morning tea and lunch stops.
The Capital Country Holiday Park had abundant facilities to enable us to host the AGM. Powered van sites, on-site cabins, a camp kitchen and BBQ, a conference room and a function centre. Once on site there was no need to travel anywhere.
Meet and Greet
The Friday night “Meet and Greet” was held at the Camp Kitchen which had a large area for food preparation and a room that easily seated the 40 odd attendees. Garry and Joy Eyles our AGM Organisers provided drinks, snacks and finger-food followed by a BBQ meal. After dinner the festivities continued into the wee hours.
John Frost assisting Garry with some BBQing
Some of the ladies, Jane, Johanne and Janese, with Jean in the background ( Joy and Jenny were elsewhere) and Jim talking to Cynthia and Sue . Richard and David guarding the Eskys.
Trevor and Barry.
Kevin Lyons keeping some of the Victorian attendees Mick, Don and Darrell amused with an anecdote or two as he is renowned to do.
Mel and Bev Lyons with Roger and Narelle
Peter and Leon with Jonathon and Vera Daniel
Andrew Bray taking to Garry and John
Friday Night’s Dinner
AGM Ride
Saturday’s AGM Ride was to Bungendore for morning tea and then on to Murrumbateman for lunch. We assembled at the Camp Kitchen at 930am for a 10 o’clock departure.
Lucy admiring Micks Interceptor
Jim Pennington’s Himalayan with Craig Katen’s in the background
Jim, Bruce, Bill Trevor and Craig looking at bikes and having a chat
Stuart looks ready to roll
Roger’s Harley “Monster” outfit on the right
Vera waiting for her rider Jonathon on their Honda ST1300
Roger checking out the custom seat on Charles’ Interceptor 650 Baker Express
Garry our Rally Rajah led to bikes out of the park and onto the first leg of the ride to Bungendore
The Route took use along the Sutton Rd, Yass Rd Bungendore Rd, Captain Flats Rd, Briars Sharrow Rd and Hoskinson Rd to Bungendore
We arrived at Bungendore and had morning tea
After morning tea we the route took us along Bungendore Rd, Shingle Hill Way, Murrumbateman Rd, and Plateman’s Lane to Murrumbateman
We re-grouped at the Federal Hwy rest area as Bruce Butler was having clutch problems
After morning tea we the route took us along Bungendore Rd, Shingle Hill Way, Murrumbateman Rd, and Plateman’s Lane to Murrumbateman
At Murrumbateman the bikes were assembled at the Murrumbateman Country Inn for judging after lunch
Awards and Trophies
BEST REDDITCH ENFIELD Bruce Butler 1955 Indian trailblazer 700
BEST CAST-IRON 500 ENFIELD – Trevor Marshall 2006 RE 500 cast iron
“The Ian Lyons Memorial Electra Trophy” – Kevin Lyons on Ian Lyons’ Electra 500
BEST UCE – Mark Reynolds 2009 Bullet 500 EFI
BEST HIMALAYAN – Craig Katen 2021 Himalayan Lake Blue
BEST 650 TWIN Richard Mulcaire 2019 Interceptor 650 Orange Crush 
BEST ENFIELD OUTFIT – Bruce Walker 2011 Carberry V-Twin / Inder
BEST ALL-ROUND ENFIELD – David Barber 2017 Classic350 
WORST ENFIELD – Peter Jackson 2017 Himalayan
BEST OUTFIT – Roger McCall 2008 Harley Road King / Dusting
BEST NON-ENFIELD – Darrell Croft 1968 Triumph Trophy
LONGEST DISTANCE RIDDEN BETWEEN AGMS – Garry Eyles 10500km 2019 Classic 500 
LONGEST DISTANCE RIDDEN TO AGM – Richard Mulcaire 1047km 2019 Interceptor 650
BATON Award – Craig Katen
The Baton is a special award passed along each year to a suitably worthy member chosen by the previous holder. Inside are some special secret instructions and only the previous holders of the baton know what it contains.
CHOOK AWARD – Bruce Butler
Bruce Butler’s recently restored 1955 Indian trailblazer700 had some problems with the clutch not disengaging the gearbox and was stalling when put into gear. As we were close to the Holiday Park where we were staying he decided that If I push started him he could make it back to the camp and then meet us at Murrumbateman for lunch. When he got back he found that the fridge has been left on and drained the battery to his car. He then thought he could take his Bullet Trials Works Replica 500 but could not find the keys.
A triple chook for Bruce.
Jon Hinton had a mishap on the way up and he ended up being transported by helicopter to Royal Melbourne Hospital with 9 broken ribs. We all wish you a speedy recover Jon.
Norm Keen Hard Luck Award – Jon Hinton accepted by Jon’s son Tim Hinton
Life Memberships and Certificates of Appreciation
At the recent Winter Rally at Boorowa in August we presented Ian Lyons with a life membership which was ratified at this AGM.
Ian was a staunch member of the Club and true enthusiast, his love of Royal Enfield’s could not be topped. Testament to his commitment to motorcycling, he was still riding right up to a few weeks before his passing. He will be sorely missed.
To his surprise, Bruce Walker was also made a life member at this AGM for his services to the club over the years.
A previous President, Bruce has attended and organised many rides and is still very active arranging fortnightly Wednesday morning rides.
Brian “Beetle” Bayley was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his services to the club
Beetle arranges many charity rides and probably spends more time in the saddle than anyone.
Garry Eyles was also given Certificate of Appreciation for organising this year’s AGM
Joy Eyles was given a gift of a Camellia for her hard work over the AGM weekend
The Royal Enfield Club of Australia Capital Country AGM 2020 was a great weekend, we had 40 attendees, 24 bikes and 16 Royal Enfields.
Many people worked over the weekend to make it all come together and a special thanks to our photographers that contributed to this report. Georgia Bray , Jenny Graves and especially Narelle Whitworth, our sidecar paparazzi , without her we would have no action shots of the riders.
Looking forward to the 18th AGM at Leongatha Victoria on 26th November 2021
Thanks again Garry and Joy for putting on a great AGM and thank you to all who attended .
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