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Christian Motorcyclist Association Australia
(Victoria) Inc. Volume 5, Issue 14 Newsletter Date: 30 June 2015
Inside This Issue
Tattsys Talk P 1 Gathering in Gisborne P10 – 11
Current Committee & Area Co-ordinators P2 CMA North East Ride to Nug Nug Rally P12
CMA Vic AGM & GOB P3 Wimmera & Western Region Report P13 – 14
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2015 P4 2015 CCMCA Conference P15
Executive Committee Nomination Form P5 Dates for your Diary P16
CMA Vic Application for Membership P6 Blessing of the Bikes info & Flyer P17 – 18
National Run October 2014 Report P7 Peregrine Rally Flyer P19
Bikes for Pastors; Cambodia Trip P8 – 9 Peregrine & Sandgroper Rally Forms P20
Hi all,
Well, I am sure I can say summer is now gone! It is time to rug up
and get the wet weather gear out, but it is more important to be safe
and careful on wet, cold roads.
I personally have enjoyed the catch-ups across the state that we have
been doing as a group: Gisborne, Healesville and more to come. At
Healesville, we presented a small gift of thanks to Colin Berris for 10 years
service to CMA in a Committee capacity.
We also have our yearly G.O.B. coming up in August, at Castlemaine. This
is going to be different this year as we are trying to cater for all members
by keeping the costs down and offering different types of
accommodation—watch this space.
Our social media sites are becoming more and more ‘liked’ and used.
Information is flowing, photos, comments, etc. I encourage you to get
connected via Facebook if you can.
Please keep praying for CMA and what we do in our community. It is
making a difference.
Blessings to you all,
Tattsy.
Tattsys Talk
Current CMA Victoria Committee
2014-2015
Adam
Tattersall
President
Jo
Henderson
Secretary
Penny
Van Houts
Treasurer
John
Krause
Vice President
Dave Graham
Committee
Member
Greg Grist
Committee
Member
President Adam Tattersall 0412 736 595 [email protected]
Vice President John Krause 03 5628 4224 0414 450 224 [email protected]
Secretary Jo Henderson 03 5762 3339 0409 022 639 [email protected]
Treasurer Penny van Houts 03 53428181 0413 393 075 [email protected]
Committee Member David Graham 0414 545 403 [email protected]
Committee Member Greg Grist 03 9741 6355 0421 318 568 [email protected]
Bikes for Pastors/Church visits Dave Graham 04 1454 5403 [email protected]
Prayer Co-coordinator Vacant
Website /Facebook Neville Weeks 04 2771 2392 [email protected]
Adam Tattersall 0412 736 595 [email protected]
Newsletter Lyn Schoolderman 0438 502 806 [email protected]
CMA training/spiritual growth Harold Major 0428 607 804 [email protected]
CMA Vic Area Coordinators 2014-2015
North East Butch Henderson 03 5762 3339 0409 022 639 [email protected]
Neville Weeks 0427 712 392 [email protected]
Peninsula Vacant
Gippsland Gordon McPhee 03 56552492 0427 476 662 [email protected]
Western Ted Byrne 0448 026 266 [email protected]
Greg Grist 03 9741 6355 0421 318 568 [email protected]
Eastern Suburbs David Schutz 0400 978 938 [email protected]
Geelong David Graham 0414 545 403 [email protected]
Ballarat Stuart Armstrong 0448 355 513 [email protected]
Wimmera and Western Lyn Schoolderman 0438 502 806 [email protected]
Butch Neville Gordon Ted David Stuart Lyn Harold
CMA Vic AGM & GOB
When: Saturday 1st August – Sunday 2nd August 2015
Where: Castlemaine Big 4 Holiday Park
Information:
We are all booking our own accommodation this year. There are cabins, camping sites or
caravan sites:
Budget Cabin – Sleeps up to 4, BYO bedding, no ensuite, so use amenities block.
Bronze Cabin – Sleeps up to 4, BYO bedding, separate bathroom/shower.
Gold Cabin – Sleeps up to 5, bedding provided on main bed only, separate bathroom/shower.
Drive Thru Caravan Site – large site where you can drive caravan through. (No concrete slab).
Powered Site – good sized site, many with shade. (No concrete slab).
Unpowered Site – suitable for camping.
10% discount for group bookings over 4 people, this is for our whole group, not just your individual booking,
so please make sure you mention you are with CMA when you make your booking.
You can check their website for price and availability, but it is advised that you ring to book so that you can take
advantage of the 10% group discount. Their phone number is 1300 472 762.
http://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/vic/goldfields/castlemaine-gardens-holiday-park
The AGM will be onsite in The Bush Hut with fire place, tables, seats, electric BBQ, sink etc. This will be held
on Saturday from 2.00 pm.
We will be fellowshipping at a local church in Castlemaine on Sunday morning – this is still being arranged.
We’re hoping we can have a part in the service or at least get to share what we’re all about and our Bikes for
Pastors project.
There is a terrific hotel 10 minutes walk from the park called the Railway Hotel. Lovely people who run and own
it, good food, medium prices, warm and friendly. TV for the footy tragic’s and a pool table in a separate room off
the dining room with a nice wood fire. Maybe a good place for lunch and/or dinner.
Basically it is up to you to make your own arrangements and we will all meet up for our socialising and meeting,
meals and church. It should be a great time away together.
Please ring Penny Van Houts on 0413 3963 075 or email [email protected] if you have any extra
queries.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
1st August 2015
To all Members of CMAAUS (Vic) Inc.
RE: THE 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Please note:
The 2015 Annual General Meeting and election of the Executive Committee of the above association
will be held
Time: 2:00 pm
Date: Saturday 1st of August, 2015
Venue: Big 4 Caravan Park
‘The Bush Hut’
1 Doran Avenue (off Walker Street)
Castlemaine Victoria 3156
All members are encouraged to attend the AGM.
Come to the “Gathering of Bikers” weekend or come along for the day.
The AGM is not too formal, we are happy to have visitors and children attend as observers.
Kind regards
Joanne Henderson (Secretary)
CMAAUS (Vic) Inc.
42 Bridge Street, West Benalla Victoria, 3672
Home : 5762 3339 Email: [email protected]
Mb: 0409 022 639 Web site: http://cmaaus.org/vic/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/CmaVictoria?fref=ts
Christian Motorcyclists Association of Australia (Victoria) Inc
A0023799J 42 Bridge Street, West
Benalla, Vic 3672
Christian Motorcyclists Association Australia (Victoria) Inc.
Executive Committee Nomination Form 2015
I, ……………………………………… Signature……………………………
(Block letters)
nominate …………………………………………………….
(Block letters)
As President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Committee Member
(Circle relevant positions on the nomination form. Cross out all other positions. Please feel free to copy this form)
Seconder ……………………………………… Signature……………………………
(Block letters)
Date ………………………………………
I have been a member of CMA for more than 12 months on the day of the AGM, and accept this nomination.
Signature of nominee. …………………………………………………
Note that if a person is nominated for more than one position and doesn’t win the first they will become eligible to
stand for the next in the order; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2 Committee members.
Only fully paid up financial members 2015/2016 or Life members of CMAAUS (Vic) Inc. may nominate or be
nominated for executive committee positions.
Nominations for a position may be accepted at the AGM only if the Secretary has not received a legitimate
nomination for that position by the 11th July 2015
The Committee appoints Area Coordinators to fill the Positions of “Activities Officer”. The Committee appoints the
Web master and Editor.
The Committee appoints the Prayer Coordinator, the Bikes for Pastors Coordinator and Church visits Coordinator
The Committee may appoint members with special skills or wisdom.
Please send completed nomination forms to:
Joanne Henderson (Secretary)
CMAAUS (Vic) Inc.
Address: 42 Bridge Street, West Benalla Victoria, 3672
Email: [email protected]
Home: 5762 3339
Mb: 0409 022 639
Christian Motorcyclists Association Australia (Victoria) Inc
Executive Committee Nomination Form 2015
Christian Motorcyclists Association of Australia (Victoria) Inc.
Email. [email protected]
Application for Membership 2015 —2016 I hereby apply to become a member/ renew my membership of the
Christian Motorcyclists Association of Australia (Victoria)) Inc.
I agree with the aims and objectives of the Association,
I have signed the Association's Statement of Belief,
I am or intend to be actively involved in motorcycling and
I agree to abide by the rules of the Association.
The Subscription and Entrance Fees are payable with the application.
CMA Australia (Vic) Inc. Statement of Belief I believe in:
The Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God. One God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The virgin birth and deity of Christ, His explicit atoning death, bodily resurrection and ascension. Salvation through the blood of the
sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit Who enables a believer to live a holy life the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Therefore:
I have turned away from the sins of my past having confessed these to God and sought forgiveness from Him. I have committed my
life to Jesus Christ and now acknowledge Him as Saviour and Lord.
Membership
As a member of CMA Australia (Vic) Inc. I will endeavour to remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible and
expressed in the CMA Australia (Vic) Inc. Statement of Belief.
Signature/s______________________________________________________Date___________________________________
Post to: The Secretary, CMA Aust. (Vic) Inc. 42 Bridge Street, West, Benalla, Vic. 3672
12 Months - from 1st July 2015–30 June 2016 Individual $40.00 Family $60.00
6 Months - from 1st Jan 2016–30 June 2016 Individual $20.00 Family $30.00
Posted Newsletter extra $10.00
Emailed Newsletter – ( NO CHARGE)
Please don’t post cash. I enclose my:
o Cheque -
o Money order - Payable to Christian Motorcyclists Association Australia (Victoria) Inc. OR:
o I have made a Direct Deposit Payment with my name in the “Comments” section
BSB 633 000 Account 127403079
Primary Membership Name
Membership Type:
Please indicate Individual Family
Address
Suburb Postcode
Postal Address
Mobile Home Business
Church
Pastor
Bike/s
Signature/s Date
Family Membership Only Second Adult Member Name Relationship
The Preparation and Ride:
I had a bit of a tussle thinking that I needed to get a bit fitter and more strength in my shoulders ready for this trip. Also, having problems
with tendinitis in right elbow. The thought of such a long trip had me thinking I couldn’t go that far on a bike. After doing lots of exercising
and going to the pool and doing 25 laps per visit, I realised a week before the trip that not much had changed. I suddenly said to the
Lord “I cannot do this Lord, but it is only in Your strength that I can go”. Immediately, a warm glow came over me with a peace of “not to
be concerned”. I realised I should have handed that over to the Lord weeks before.
Sunday 26th October came and with my Suzuki with luggage and camping gear packed on, set off down my steep gravel track. I wasn’t
even sure I could get the bike off the side peg with the weight of the bags. Once I was on the bitumen road I gained more confidence. I
rode to Rosedale to meet Narelle and Ian on their bikes. We rode through Stratford where we said our farewells to Ian and he rode back
home.
This was Narelle’s holiday, so the idea was to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. We kept ahead of the rain all the way to Bermagui on
the second day, so actually stayed in motels. We then went up the coast and found some lovely little places on the smaller roads. We
stayed at Batemans Bay for 2 nights, camping, and 1 night at Shoalhaven, before getting up to the “Tops” on Friday evening.
The National:
It was great to see people I had met before and meet new ones over the weekend. A great venue, with fantastic food and
accommodation. The run to Cordeaux Dam Saturday morning was a hot day and the iced water was very welcome along with the BBQ.
Then we went on the shorter ride. The marker for one of the corners wasn’t there, so we kept going before realizing it was the wrong
way and then ended up in a bad electrical storm, wind and torrential rain. Narelle and I turned off the freeway into Wollongong, into a
residential area called Mt Pleasant, which wasn’t pleasant at all. Very steep and we tried to shelter under some bushes in a front yard.
We went further down the road and found a petrol station and sheltered there and got directions. (Not the best place in an electrical
storm!). We found our way back to the coast road and to the Tops. The lightning and thunder was a bit scary when on the bike, but I
would have to say it is one of the memorable times. We can laugh about it now! (More story to this, but won’t bore you). I congratulated
Barry Days daughter, Hannah, who rode her bike in what I said to her were very trying conditions. When everyone was back, the
Chinese laundry, down to the undies and socks, was spread over every railing possible! The weather went from 33 degrees to about 16
the next day.
On Saturday night we had a lovely dinner with an enormous cake for the 35 years of CMA. Also trophies were given out. One of the
guys got a trophy for dropping his bike, not once, but twice! I didn’t feel so bad, I had only half dropped mine in the storm.
The church service on Sunday morning was an awesome time. God’s presence was in that place. Great songs and when Barry Day
spoke, Margarita, his wife, danced to very lovely music and words.
The Gymkhana started at 2 pm and was a lot of fun, with Daryl, John, Gordon and Neville doing well. Nearly half the people had left
before the Sunday evening meal. We went and packed, ready for a swift getaway for 9 am next morning. After farewells Monday
morning, we rode off up to Picton again and onto the Hume Highway.
Memories:
My special memories of the time away: Meeting friends and making new friends; riding along the Grand Pacific Drive near Stanwell
Park; stopping at a baker at Bombala and finding Wombat Bear there with his minders, so had coffee together – they were going the
opposite way to us. We enjoyed going across from Gundagai to Tumut, Jindabyne, Dalgety, Bombala and Orbost on the back roads and
Snowy and Monaro Highways. Narelle saw the Brumby’s. Beautiful Rides and Scenery.
Facebook has been great with knowing where everyone was on their different trips home. Neville had his photo taken in front of the
Giant Trout at Adaminaby, only a few hours before we were there doing the same.
I got home at 3.30 pm Thursday, 6th November.
Thank you to everyone for your encouragement. I had a wonderful time and loved the riding and I know that I can speak for Narelle and
everyone else.
Never say Never.
Andrea Ramsay.
The National Run – Stanwell Tops, NSW
October 2014
This year we’ve been raising funds for the ongoing ministry of the AOG in the Philippines, where Pastor Jose B Dasco looks after a
group of satellite churches that he has helped plant over the years.
His current bike has come to the end of its life, after many years of service, so we’re about to donate the funds required for a new bike.
Donations have been coming in steadily over the last 12 months, so a big THANK YOU to everyone who has invested in this fruitful
ministry.
Bikes For Pastors
Cambodia Trip
After Christmas, Butch, our daughter Amy and I flew out of Australia with 8 other CMA’ers from South Australia: Wayne and Kaye
Shepherd, Bill and Lorri McCallum, Iain and Naomi Milner, Phil Mellor and Lisa Clarke (CMA Aust).
We arrived early on the Sunday morning in Phnom Penh for 15 days of riding a motorbike around Cambodia. It was an organised tour
prepared by Owen from Paleriders Cambodia. Having never travelled to an Asian country before, our tuk tuk ride to our Motel was an
eye opener. The city was abuzz with traffic everywhere and the first thing we learnt from our experienced travellers was ‘how to walk
across the road without getting run over’.
Monday morning we headed to the bike shop to pick up the motorbikes – Honda XR 250’s and CRF 125’s – and the small bus that was
going to carry our luggage and those in our group who weren’t travelling by bike. We met our tour guide, Owen and his family members
who we were going to travel with for the next 15 days. We also had Tin Tin from the bike shop, who was our mechanic, but would also
act as ‘tail end Charlie’. The plan was to leave the capital Phnom Penh and travel in an anti-clockwise direction around Cambodia,
stopping at Kampong Cham, Kratie, Sen Mororom, Banlung, Stung Treng, Sra Elm, Siem Reap, Battambang, Koh Kong and Kep.
We visited an orphanage, swam in the Mekong river and a Volcanic Crater lake, visited many temples and women’s developed centre,
where they dye silk and weave it into material. We had boat rides to see the dolphins, a majestic waterfall and a beautiful sunset. We
had a ride on a bamboo train through the rice fields to a rural village. We also had the privilege to visit to ‘Bikes for Pastors’ recipients:
2003 Sunshine Children’s Centre in Phnom Penh and 2012 Ken & Ally Thompson (Agriculture Project ins Sen Monorom). We went to
the Zoo and saw tigers, elephants and monkeys and we even had a ride on an elephant up a hill for a sunset view of Siem Reap.
We tried lots of local foods, while some were tempted to eat cooked tarantulas and crickets. As Westerners, some indulged in Pizza’s
and hamburgers, while others stuck to Khmer food, eating rice, fish and chicken.
We stayed at 12 different motels and travelled over 2,000 km’s. The guys riding the dirt bikes were also able to experience the remote
Cardamom Mountains.
Some of my impressions of Cambodia:
The people were lovely and friendly, especially the children. One morning while having a break in a village, us women said hello
and shook hands with nearly everyone in the school. Many are so poor, but they all seem very happy.
The roads we travelled were like a country bitumen road, mostly good, but with a lot of pot holes. I had to get new shockers for my
Honda Daelim after my first day travelling on the road. One of the bridges was made out of bamboo and had to be rebuilt every
year after the wet season. The road from Sen Mororom to Banlung was called the ‘death highway’ and thankfully was experiencing
major road works to make it more accessible.
Rubbish was everywhere, because the Khmer people have no real concept of recycling or picking up litter. Everything in the market
stores were wrapped in plastic and these markets line the street everywhere, selling everything possible, as well as petrol in old
coke bottles, ice, bottled water, beer and coke. Everything that is used is chucked onto the streets.
Solid wood furniture and ornaments are sold everywhere. You can even buy stuff at the petrol stations, which are now popping up
all over the place. All the furniture in the motels were sold and heavy, especially the beds. Moving a chair needed two people to lift
it.
Continued on Page 9…..
…continued from page 8….
What you can fit on a scooter or in the back of a van. Lisa spotted six people on a scooter – Mum, Dad and four kids. It was usual
to see 3 squashed young people out cruising for the night with friends on another scooter and pigs being carried on the back of
scooters in baskets. Between the villages, they don’t use trailers, they tie everything on top or behind their vans. Large semi trucks
needed young men to ride on top to lift the electric wiring when travelling the roads through the villages and towns.
The smells and sounds: The markets were busy and crowded. Food of all kinds of creatures, large and small, were for sale, and
the smell…..
I realised after a while there weren’t many birds flying around (they had eaten them all). Many mornings we were awoken at 5 a.m.
because we were in wedding season and they went for three days, starting with the music at 5 am, blaring on loud speakers,
letting the whole town know. There was one huge canopy tent in the middle of town and it was in use continually.
It was a fabulous time, truly a lasting experience.
Owen and his support crew were wonderful to us:
his Khmer wife, Sreyda, who loved to take photos and buy different kinds of food for us to try;
Sakkom, our bus driver (and his fiancée Sakwan), who knew how to honk his horn continually (honking is the nice way to say I
am behind you or I am passing);
Tin Tin’s humour and the way he said (when getting us going) ‘Ladies and Gentleman’s, helmets on, start your engines’;
And Vien, who helped look after the motorbikes and got our suitcases in and out of the bus.
Also, riding on the wrong side of the road was OK, because you just followed the bike in front and in the end it didn’t matter,
because we never saw any accidents, road rage or road kill.
Here are some photos of our Cambodia ride.
Picking up the bikes and bus. Sreyda with the bikes. The ‘Death Highway’ Lisa’s Bike – Iain & Naomi’s idea of a joke.
Butch & I on the bikes
Butch on the bridge crossing
the Srepok River.
A Petrol Station.
CMA “Ride to” – Gathering in Gisborne
17 January 2015
Western area of Melbourne coordinators: Greg Grist and Ted Byrne
On the 17th of January CMA West hosted the first of the new CMA Vic initiatives, “Ride to” social gatherings in the
beautiful Sankey Reserve, Gisborne. When discussing the various possible locations for the gathering, Ted and I wanted
to make sure that wherever we picked needed to have adequate BBQ and picnic facilities, as well as plenty of shops and
cafes nearby for those wishing to purchase their lunch. In our search, we kept coming back to Gisborne as the ideal spot,
as it’s such a picturesque little town in one of our favourite riding areas. So I did a bit of research through Google Maps to
make sure the park/reserve had all the right facilities etc. and of course it did. We then decided to do a “recon” ride (any
excuse for a ride) to check out the facilities first-hand. The ride was quite memorable because on the way there, just
outside of Gisborne, I received a spray of cow muck from a passing cattle truck (praise God that He didn’t create flying
cows, but it gave a bit of an insight as to the ramifications if He did!). Thankfully the Victory’s rather generous screen and
fairing protected me from most of the flying cow muck; I only ended up with a small amount on my visor. Obviously, the
first stop in Gisborne was the nearest service station to wash down the bike and the visor.
When the day finally came, we were blessed with great weather. The Bonnie was suffering from battery lurgies, so Ted
rode my trusty Boxer (R100RT) to stretch its legs. I don’t always get it out enough these days due to time constraints and
knee problems. I rode the Victory, minus the troublesome aftermarket EFM auto clutch (which tried to kill me on several
occasions). I have reverted to the factory clutch with an Easy Clutch extended pinion lever for reduced clutch effort
(arthritic hand issues).
There was a good turnout of members. Unfortunately most of the Ballarat crew couldn’t attend as they were helping Peter
Carter and his family move to Numurkah where Peter was starting his new role as Pastor of the Church of Christ there. It
was great to see Peg Huggett attending. We hadn’t seen her since Barry’s funeral and she was her usual cheery and
encouraging self, which was good to see.
We shared the BBQ facilities with an excited children’s birthday party with lots of happy, noisy kids charging up and down.
They were a friendly bunch, and didn’t seem put off by a bunch of rough and ready bikers. Some chose to buy their lunch
at the local cafes etc. Ted and Merv didn’t bring any lunch but decided to buy meat and supplies to have a nice BBQ
lunch. They were generous in sharing the copious amount food they had bought from the supermarket. The wind picked
up while we were cooking the meat on the Barbie and we had to weigh down various bits and pieces to prevent them from
taking off in the breeze.
After lunch, we all moved to the car park area for a group photo.
Peg brought with her a boot-load of Barry’s riding gear and other bits and pieces. She suggested a donation to the Bikes
for Pastors in lieu of any payment. Much of the gear went very quickly. Thanks Peg for your great generosity; bless you.
After a good deal of chin wagging and fellowship, we all headed our separate ways. Many had considerable distances
ahead of them; especially the North East members from away as far as Kyabram and Wangaratta. Ted decided to ride
home via Mt. Macedon all by his lonesome; he stopped at the Memorial Cross and had a cuppa at the Top of the Range
Cafe. Merv and I had other commitments, so we went home the quicker route via Toolern Vale and Melton. However,
once we arrived in Melton, the Western Freeway city bound was closed for road works. So we decide to head down the
freeway to Bacchus Marsh to get home. When riding through Melton, I noticed a large airship (blimp) trying to keep
station over some event in the area, but was struggling due to the strong winds. The blimp’s nose kept pitching up and
down; the pilot was obviously struggling to keep his place.
Photos on Page 11…
Gathering in Gisborne -
Photos
CMA North East
The 1st weekend in February always brings some excitement in our house, because it is Nullisecundus Rally
time again at Nug Nug, with the Triumph Owners MCC. We were packed and ready to go at 5pm when I
finished work and Ted had arrived safely – what a bonus.
Setting up the tent in our usual spot beside Barry and Margarita Day, who had arrived earlier that day. It was a
full house sitting around the camp candle catching up with everyone, whilst listening to the band. Both our
kids had decided to bring friends and venture back to where they had spent many days since 2003 – our first
rally here.
The next day some revisited the pub for lunch, but a swim in the creek was needed before the late afternoon
gymkhana. Neville had several attempts for a trophy, but with no success. Margarita was also out scored in
the tyre toss by a beefy bikie lady.
A different band embarked on stage, with a much louder, heavy rock sound, to which we all enjoyed,
especially Ted, who knew all the songs.
Sunday morning some packed up early and headed for home, while others were in no rush and headed back
to the creek for a swim.
Jo
WIMMERA/WESTERN REGION
Out here in the Wimmera/Western region of Victoria, distance can be an issue when trying to organise rides.
There are only a couple of CMA’ers in this part of the state, but being so close to the Vic/SA border means that
we can also meet up with CMA’ers from the South East region of SA.
In late February I did just that. Through the wonders of Facebook I got in touch with a fellow Christian
motorcyclist from Portland – Wayne – and a CMA’er from Mount Gambier – Gary – and after a few discussions,
we decided to meet up in Portland and go to Cape Bridgewater to join in a camping weekend with some
Christian Surfers. So, on Saturday 28th February, I and another motorcyclist from Nhill – Graeme – rode
through the Little Desert, across the hills around Harrow, Coleraine and Condah, then down the Henty Hwy to
Heywood, where Wayne and Gary met us. From Heywood, Wayne took us on the back roads across to Cape
Bridgewater to the camp. I was glad he was leading, ‘cos I would have got lost!!! The CMA logo of “Unity in
Diversity” was very evident on our ride. We had (pictured below from left to right):
Graeme’s Triumph Bonneville (a Black one), my Yamaha VStar (the nice White one), Gary’s Ducati (Red of
course) and Wayne’s Harley (it was Black too).
After going for a swim and trying my hand at surfing (a lot of fun, but think I need to go to surf school), we
headed back to the campsite and enjoyed an evening around the fire in fellowship with other Christians. A
message was given and songs were sung, then it was time to head for the swag.
Continued on page 14…
…continued from page 13
On Sunday 1st March we headed over to Warrnambool, picking up a couple of other Christian motorcyclists
along the way, to attend a Bikers Church being hosted by Kardinia Church. We met up with Adam
(Tattsy)Tattersall, Brian Edge and Stuart Armstrong, just to name a few. There were lots of bikes of all makes,
models and colours. The church service was great – many thanks to Sandro Schietroma for inviting us to
attend. We had a fantastic day and hope to do it again one day.
After lunch at Kardinia Church, it was time to head home again. Our return trip took us on a more direct route,
through Hamilton and Horsham, then home to Nhill. All in all, it was a great ride and a fantastic weekend of
fellowship.
WIMMERA/WESTERN REGION
2015 Combined Christian Motorcycle Clubs &
Associations Conference Report
On the 28th March the Ambassadors Christian Motorcycle Club hosted the Triennial Australian Combined
Christian Motorcycle Clubs and Associations Conference in Shailer Park, Brisbane, Qld. I took 3 weeks of Long
Service Leave from 21st March through to 11 April so that I could attend this conference, combining it with a
riding holiday up to Townsville, Qld. I had also been asked to take part in the Conference by speaking on the
topic of “How do we find a good balance between marriage, family and Christian motorcycle ministry”.
I rode with my friend, Graeme, leaving Nhill on Saturday 21st March, travelling via Ballarat where we attended
the wedding of John and Fiona (from Samaritans Christian Social Club). We stayed in Melton Saturday &
Sunday night, then headed off on the trip north on Monday 23rd.
We arrived in Brisbane on Friday 28th where we stayed with a friend and member of Pilgrims CMC, Adrian
Austin. Norm Young, Barry Pritchard and Gunther Paul (members of Pilgrims CMC) also attended the
conference. There were 12 different clubs in attendance, including members from CMA NSW and CMA Qld.
Lisa Clarke was also there and it was good to catch up with her and many other friends I have made over the
few years that I have been involved in the CMA.
The weekend began with a BBQ at the God Squad Brisbane Clubhouse on Friday night, followed by the
Conference on Saturday, held at Calvary Family Church in Shailer Park. The programme topics were as
follows:
Session 1: What are the important elements in keeping our relationship with God through Jesus Christ while
active in the Australian biker culture?
Session 2: How do we find a good balance between marriage, family and Christian motorcycle ministry?
Session 3: Hard riding, hard drinking and other excesses are common in various parts of the motorcycle
culture. Since Christians are called to be in the world but not of it, how do we live this out in a way that both
honours Christ and is respectful of our motorcycle brethren?
There was quite a diversity in the people who spoke, from members of Longriders through to members from
the Christian Sports Bike Association. All spoke from personal experience and I believe we all gained a great
deal from the Conference.
On Sunday we rode to the Saints CMC Clubhouse in Zillmere for breakfast and a Bikers Church. This was
followed by a ride to Emma Miller Place in Brisbane City where a press conference on the Anti-right laws was
being held, but Adrian, Gunther, Graeme & myself decided we wouldn’t attend this and instead went for a ride
into the city for lunch.
Graeme & I continued on our ride north on Monday 31st, going via Caloundra, Gladstone and Mackay, arriving
in Townsville on Saturday 5th April . It was then time to turn around and come back home, via the inland route.
We left Townsville the following day and rode to Clermont (via Charters Towers), then on to Roma, Lightning
Ridge, Dubbo, Finley and finally arrived home in Nhill on Friday 11th April. All in all, we rode over 6,600 km in 3
weeks. We rode through rain, in beautiful sunshine, in hot humid conditions, then back to cooler conditions as
we got closer to home, but it was a fantastic experience and I would do it again….although I would take an
extra week or two so that I could spend a bit of time doing the ‘touristy’ thing.
The next Conference will be in 2018 (in NSW I think). God willing I will be able to go to it again.
Lyn Schoolderman
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
NORTH EAST RIDES
July
Sunday 19th Ride to Swanpool via Molyullah/Tatong – cuppa at Gary & Lorraine Stone’s
place, Warrenbayne. Leave Benalla at 1 p.m.
Saturday 25th Ride to Yarra Glen, leaving Benalla at 9.30 a.m.
August
Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd CMA Victoria AGM at Castlemaine
September
Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th Black Knight Rally at Devenish – Us & Them Tourers
Saturday 26th CMA Ride to Buxton – leaving Benalla at 10 a.m.
October
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th Spaghetti Rally, Edi Cap – Motor Guzzi Club
Friday 23rd – Monday 26th CMA Australia National Run – Bussleton, WA
November
Saturday 21st Ride to Mt Buffalo, leaving Benalla at 9 a.m.
December
Saturday 12th Christmas Ride
WESTERN – WIMMERA RIDES
August
Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd CMA Victoria AGM at Castlemaine, Vic
Friday 28th – Sunday 30th Peregrine Rally (Pilgrims CMC) at Jabuk, SA
September
To be organised
October
Saturday 3rd – Sunday 4th Sandgroper Motorcycle Ride, Venus Bay, Vic
November
Friday 11th – Sunday 13th Fish Holes Motorcycle Rally, Cape Bridgewater, Vic
December
Toy Run Ride (TBA)
2nd BLESSING OF THE BIKES –
Saturday 10th
Oct. 2015
Email from Marcel Windmer…
Hi, my name is Marcel Widmer and I am the Promoter and Founder of the Blessing of the Bikes in Mirboo
North, Victoria.
So, what is the Blessing of the Bikes? It is a tradition I have grown up with back in Switzerland. The Blessing
will provide an opportunity to remember and pay respect to riders who are no longer with us, while at the
same time providing an opportunity for camaraderie and friendship and promoting bike safety, along with a
positive image for the community at large.
Last year on October 4th, we had the 1st Blessing of the Bikes and more than 2,000 bikes attended the event.
This year we could easily see 10,000 bikes rolling into the town of Mirboo North. There is camping available,
food and stalls, with bike displays and accessories.
I have attached the Flyer for you to share. You will find all info on our Facebook and Webpage. To check it
out, go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inline-4-Cafe/151774171521727 or http://inline4cafe.com.au/
Please share and make this a great event for everyone. It would be fantastic to see members of your club
riding in on the day.
Thank you very much for your time.
Marcel Windmer, Inline4cafe 0427 475 681
John McMahon, Event Manager 0417 646 015
See page 17 for Flyer (more information)…
Photo of last years Blessing of the Bikes event from Inline4Cafe’s Facebook page.
