Elizabeth Street Centenary Celebration , Saturday, November 8, 2003

The venue is the famous and unique motorbike and scooter precinct in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. It has been a meeting place for riders, horse and bike since the 1800s. In 1903 the first motorcycle shop opened and the bike centre has operated ever since. It is in the heart of a big city with wide, straight streets, trees and trams, bike shops and free footpath parking for motorbikes and scooters. Elizabeth Street has a special look and feel but most of all it's the people that create a carnival atmosphere found nowhere else in Australia. There is a sense of heritage and lifestyle in Elizabeth Street that should be celebrated. The 100^th anniversary event is good for the bike industry and for riders. It showcases the motorcycle community as a well-organised and positive part of our society.

On November 8, Mayor John So will welcome visitors to the Victorian Capital from a stage near the Latrobe Street intersection. Guest speakers will spin nostalgic yarns and awards will be presented. Historic road and competition machines will be on show along with sidecars and extraordinary trikes. The

Classic Club is putting together a line of 100 bikes ranging from a 1903 veteran to its 2003 counterpart. There will be club reps to talk to and a memorabilia display. Chiko Roll motorcycling posters, collectors' items for generations of riders, will be displayed at the Sushi Max. I'm told Chiko rolls were invented in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Sushi Max is just across from the stage. Bike shops supporting the Centenary celebration will be offering deals and discounts. ESC tee shirts and posters will be on sale while stocks last. Order forms from Sushi Max. http://www.nmcins.com.au

In July, Hamburg, Germany, had an anniversary do for the 100th year of Harley Davidson. "The Festival attracted 25,000 bikers and 200,000 visitors." (The Herald Sun. Melbourne. July 28, 2003.)  In August, Milwaukee, USA, home of the Harley, celebrated the HD Centenary. Milwaukee has about a million people and they estimate a quarter of a million Harleys rolled into town for the party. Among them was a group of more than 500 Australians. Taking climate, facilities and my parochialism into account, Melbourne has more to offer two-wheel visitors than Hamburg or Milwaukee.

Our 100 years event co-ordinator is Mary Chiodo 03 8622 2910 of Peter Stevens Motorcycles / Harley Heaven fame. Activities program: http://www.peterstevens.com.au .

The Elizabeth Street Riders are an informal group that keep the 100 year plus traditions of mateship, lifestyle and motorbikes going. ESR meets on Saturday mornings at the Sushi Max, 398 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. All welcome. ESR Spokesman is Allan "Mort" Watcham on mobile number 0407 516 508.

In the beginning Elizabeth Street was a creek running into the Yarra River. Melbournetown began. Sailing ships on the Yarra, horses and carts along the creek. 1850s! Gold! And the MCG! The creek becomes a street and the street becomes the town's main transport axis, a meeting place for travellers. Cob and Co coaches, a railway, bicycles then motorised cycles and the odd automobile. In the 1890s Elizabeth Street was a meeting place for autocycle riders. In 1903 riders founded the Automobile Club of Victoria (today called the RACV) and the Milledge Brothers opened the first motorcycle shop. Elizabeth Street, Melbourne has been a motorbike and scooter precinct ever since. Many other cities have bigger bike precincts but I've yet to hear of one operating continuously since 1903.

Our motorcycling traditions are strong. For over a century riders have explored, then worked our land. They've served in our military since the Boer War. They've enforced the law and kept the peace, fought bushfires and delivered the mail. Motorbikes have carried our medicos and clergy to tend body and soul for people in remote areas or housebound in the suburbs. And, like our swimmers and other champions, Australian riders have won the world's great competitions on dirt and tar. Soon after World War 1 Harold

Parsons smashed 25 world records in 24 hours. He lived in Punt Road and met mates in Elizabeth Street. He won world fame and was a local hero. His monument still stands in the small park at the corner of Hoddle Street and Wellington Parade.

For visitors. Elizabeth Street is Australia's only bike centre in the central business district (CBD) of a major city. It's a short walk to any of Melbourne's eateries, markets, entertainments and facilities. Elizabeth Street is the end/start of the Hume Highway, the road north, past Canberra, to Australia's largest capital, Sydney. Elizabeth Street is the gateway to the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit and some of our best bike touring country bar none. The Street is a tourist attraction in its' own right. For info on eateries, accommodation and entertainments try http://melbourne.vic.gov.au South is the sea road to motorcycling's magic island, Tasmania. Many thousands of machines are expected to form an informal endless parade up and down the strip. Riders from across Australia are coming to town.

On Ya Bike is a radio show hosted by Heavy Duty Editor, Neil Brumby. It's on Saturday mornings at 9.00am. The station is 3AK – 1116 AM. Bike Torque is on Saturdays at noon on Channel 31. If you aren't sure about receiving Channel 31 call 03 9663 5831. Watch the Herald Sun Cars Guide on Fridays for a story on the ESC celebration by well-known Melbourne bike journo, Walter Kuiper. http://www.carsguide.com.au .

Damien Codognotto, MRA