Vol 1, No 5 Editors:

November, 1962 Ian Carron

Len Shearer

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The October club social was highlighted by election of office bearers for the forthcoming twelve months. The results were as follows:

President: Mr Fred Carron (re-elected).

Vice-President: Mr Ken Kilgour (re-elected).

Secretary: Mr Alex McLean (re-elected).

Treasurer: Mr Len Shearer (newly elected).

Minute Secretary: Miss Anne Church (newly elected).

Club Captain: Mr Peter Philferan (re-elected).

Social Committee: Messrs. Gerry Seifert, Ron Fordham and Richard Henry (all newly elected).

It was also decided to elect a host and a hostess to welcome our new scooterists to the club. These positions were placed upon Rae Battersby (as hostess) and Ron Davies (host).

We extend to the committees best wishes for a successful future in the next twelve months, and thank sincerely the previous committee members for their help, work and time spent in the administration of the club.

Here’s a hint that may help someone one day. If your scooter is equipped with split-rim type wheels, and you get a flat tyre miles away from anywhere, and don’t seem likely to be aided by any passing traffic, then try this. Remove the tyre and tube from the rims. Stuff the tyre with as much GRASS or leaves as is possible, and replace the rims. This will enable you to travel a reasonable distance at low speed (no more than 20 m.p.h.). However, it is advisable to have it fixed as soon as possible. Clean rags or some other form of padding can be used instead of grass, if a large enough supply is available. Sincerely hope it never happens to anyone (especially me). - Len

Just wait till you all see the movie of our recent excursion to the Healesville Sanctuary. It appears that we have quite a few budding film stars.

What’s this I hear about a certain best man at a recent wedding, who shot off home to Melbourne after the ceremony with the minister’s fee still reposing in his suit-coat pocket? Probably thought the pubs would still be open. - Ian

Remember the old narrow roads where occasionally an accident happened? Well now we have super-highways where up to six cars can all crash at once.

Whadda day! Got away to a good start after waiting for Rae and Ann as usual. Met Ron, Sheila and Margaret half-way to Frankston, where we met the Touring Club. Nice to see we outnumbered them again (13 of us to 8 or 10 of them). A short stop at Mornington and then we arrived at Arthur’s Seat. The ride in the chair lift was enjoyed by all, both up and down. On returning to the machines, Rae found her rear tyre flat. She quickly ordered it to be fixed, and sure enough, operation was performed. Dromana jetty and parking area was our lunching spot. Five spartans (all men) had their first swim for the season: Gerry S., John G., Alex McL., Ron F. and Len S. We found a new way of cleaning suede shoes. Simply ask Danny to throw them in the sea for you. Ask Rae, she knows. Danny also went swimming (still dressed). Endeavours were made to entice Peter, Ron D. and Richard, amongst all the others, but these attempts failed. Elaine W. and Judy S. arrived at 2.30 and went on to the chair lift alone. Returned home via the Moorooduc Road for a change; long time since we have been down that way. Frankston stoppage was short. Here Len scored a flat tyre too. On again to dispersal point, which was Warrigal Road corner. Then the fun started for Ken K. Flat tyre just before Elsternwick turn-off; tube patched; patch lifted; hole in tube (helmet size); no service stations open; all patches gone; made dash by Len to the Carron household for a spare tube; then home for a pump; back to Ken; fixed it; hoo-ray. Home nice ‘n early — 8.45 again.

Who was the member who had his face in the Herald recently, along with thirteen others, as one of the 14 "experts" (?) in attendance at a large city store’s Photographic Exposition?

Thirteen machines appeared on the trip to the Healesville Sanctuary. We also had along young Miss Kilgour and young Miss Carron. Nice to see Peter P. entertaining the emus by teasing them with his lunch. Noticed Jeanette K. hiding her sandwiches from the same bird. Gerry S. gave a dazzling exhibition before we started of how to wear tyres down quickly by hard braking. We finally got started at 10 o’clock. We could have slept in for an extra hour. Trust Pete to stop the convoy outside a church during a ceremony. We received a very hasty "keep moving" by an official. Nice to see Peter W. (Heinkel) along again; met the Carron’s and Elaine W. at the Sanctuary. The Vespa Club were there too. They must have copied our itinerary again. Speaking of Vespas, it makes us wonder how many Vessy owners know anything about their electrical system; noticed at the beginning Rae, Alex, Ron D., Gerry and Ken K. all trying earnestly to repair Rae’s lights. (It was almost dark by the time they had finished). Elaine had her nice shiny new Lambretta out on her, or its, first club run.

Anyone who knows anyone who would like to buy a very good bright red Maico, with an impressive record at past inter-club competitions (unequalled by any other machine in our inter-club do’s), complete with good tyres, extras etc. for a reasonable offer, then get in touch with Ian.

A highlight of the month of October, although not an official club run, was the wedding of Maurie M. to Joyce S. at Wedderburn, on October 6. The club was very well represented, with fourteen members and old members turning up in force. It was unfortunate that it rained before, during and after the ceremony. As the couple were leaving the church, with rain falling very heavily, someone offered them an umbrella to protect them as far as the bridal car. This someone started to open the brolly in the foyer of the church, and, trust Joyce, she stopped them with a quick snarl of: "Don’t open it inside, it’s superstitious." What a time to think of black cats ‘n all that!

Present were Mr F. Carron, Ian and Marg Carron, Alex McLean, Stan and Dolina Savage, John and Janice Bakker, Rae Battersby, Peter Philferan, Richard Henry, Elaine Walters, Anne Church and Len S. (best man). Brief speeches were given at the reception by Len (in response to Maurie’s toast to the bridesmaid), Mr Carron (proposed toast to Maurie’s mother), and Stan Savage, (bringing back memories from the past). Peter entertained us all with a vocal solo. We finally left after waving gaily to Mr and Mrs M. as they left with "just married" written clearly across the back of their car in lipstick.

Motor scooters have almost eliminated motor cycles and, properly handled are safe, economical and time-saving. They have become widely popular since 1946. They are not only used as a means of personal transport, as between home and work, but have entered in a big way into the industrial and commercial fields — messenger services, transport of maintenance men or night watchmen, delivering parcels, documents or newspapers are a few of the great variety of jobs they are put to. Their riders go shopping or touring far afield at minimum cost. Motor scooters have a proven safety record, thanks to constant modifications and improvements by manufacturers, which have produced ease of handling and low centre of gravity.

There have been many refinements since these versatile little machines were introduced to Australia and you now find fluid drive, air suspension, electric starters, larger lights and better braking systems. No other form of transport gives anything like the convenience-economy combination of the scooters whose petrol consumption ranges upwards of 120 miles to the gallon. Purchase prices are very competitive and there is a very large range from which to choose.

The law on motor cycles or scooters is simple. A person learning to ride must get a permit from the police and show a learner plate. He or she then has the right to use the roads for three months and then must submit to a police test for a full licence. Learner permits are issued from the minimum age of 17 years, 9 months. The newly licensed rider may not take a pillion passenger for the first twelve months and all riders and pillion passengers must wear safety helmets whenever they are riding.

Perhaps the most interesting thing from the overall point of view is that the scooter rider almost always becomes a first class car driver. He or she not only learns how vulnerable a road-user can be but simply has to develop keen anticipation, deliberation, quick reaction, good knowledge of road laws and proper behaviour.

(Reprinted from The Australian Learner Driver, June, 1962)

Not long now till the battle royal at Ferny Creek is on again. I always say it’s terrific fun, as it’s not often a scooterist can tell a motorist what to do, and not only get away with it, but have him obey into the bargain. Well, mostly anyway. Speaking of the festival, we recalled that last year Maurie M. was trying desperately to help a woman driver, in a Vauxhall, to get her vehicle out of the parking area. After what seemed like ages in which she stalled, started, went right, stalled, left, started, up, down, and a host of other indignant things, Maurie said: "If you back out now, you’ll be OK" She threw him a horrified look and said: "Back up? I don’t know how!" Exit Maurie.

We didn’t go to Tracey’s Speedway as it was cancelled because of rain. However, the following day saw a number of us down at Phillip Island for the Armstrong 500 motor race. Richard, Elaine, Ron D., Margaret and Peter went down on Saturday afternoon with the intention of camping out. The boys did so in the back of Richard’s utility, and the girls stayed at the hotel. Also down there were Ron and Sheila, Dennis and Libby, and John Dennison (Big John). Gerry, Danny and Len arrived at 11 o’clock. Ron D. was quite proud with his new "G.S.", and Elaine still keeping her "Lamby" bright and shiny. Left early (3 o’clock) after what turned out to be a monotonous look-see at the four-wheelers. Arrived Dandy-Warrigal Road corner about 6.15, after cruising home very leisurely at 30-35 m.p.h. (can’t thrash the newies just yet).

We don’t deem it necessary to remind members of the importance of finances for the club, but we feel that a short mention of how club funds are used would be appropriate. There are: Printing of itineraries and letterheads; rent of club hall; purchase of club jackets and club bags; deposits required for theatre nights, etc.; prizes and trophies for presentation nights or sports days; postage etc of materials to prospective member and other club business associates; and dozens of other incidental accounts necessary in the functioning of the club. Therefore, the subscription of £1 per year is a necessary means of revenue.

If you are not sure when your subs. are due, get in touch with Len Shearer, the treasurer, and he will tell you the date on which they are due.

Many of our members will remember Marianne Hausler, an old club member who left us to move down to Warrnambool. We have just received a letter from her to tell us that she is being married on November 17 at St. Augustine’s Church, Bourke Street, City, at 4 p.m. The reception is to be held at the Hotel Federal, and Ian is taking care of the photography arrangements. Marianne sends her regards to all club members and reports that her Lambretta is still going quite well for her. I know that the very best wishes for her future happiness from all the M.S.A.V. members go to her.

Getting off the scooter subject, we heard this one recently and thought it worthy repeating, with apologies to all mathematically-minded members.

There once lived in America an Indian chief. This great man had three wives, or squaws, as they are known to the Indians. Now it seems that the first squaw used to always sleep on a buffalo hide. The second squaw made a regular thing of bedding down on a reindeer hide. The third squaw, just to be different, slept on a hippopotamus hide. After a few years, all the squaws had children. The first squaw had a baby boy. The second squaw had a baby girl. And the third squaw had twins, a boy and a girl.

Which just goes to prove that the squaw on the hippopotamus is equal to the sum of the squaws on the other two hides.

Ken B. recently discovered that some of the materials used in Tom G.’s Vespa are the same as those used in building projects around Melbourne. It seems that while working on the seat bracket of Tom’s Vessy, it was discovered that the bracket was of the same origin as that of the steel used in the construction of the King Street Bridge. I wonder whether we would be right in assuming that we can expect his scooter to crack and sag at any time now?

Notice our co-editor didn’t waste any time using our "rag" as a means of scrounging subs now that he’s been elected as treasurer. My, such keenness. — Ian.

Footnote — Ian, I have decided on a new system of banking. It goes like this: One for the club, one for me; One for the club, two for me; One for the club, three…. - Len