May Who’s News  2004

 

Former member, Jennifer Burns, died tragically on Sunday 9th early evening after hitting a pole on Hoddle Street. She was 35 years old and riding her beloved Honda Revere 650 at the time. It has been suggested that she took evasive action after a car changed lanes into her space. The funeral was held the following Friday at 2pm at the Baptist Church, 588 High Street Road, Syndal. A large contingent of members and ex-members attended the funeral. These included: Steve Leyland and Sue Wells, Margaret Shelley, Colin Waddell, Luke and Stav Richardson, Dot and John van Dorp, Kathy Robinson, Derek Atkinson, Danny Kosinski, Rob Langer, Steve Baszak, Di Welsford, Trevor and Ann Harris, Mark Dennis, Vicki Warden, Jon Riddett, Davorin Zivkovic, Ben and Julie Warden.

 

After a very moving service, complete with a Scottish bag-pipe player, a 78 bike contingent formed a guard of honour and accompanied the hearse to Springvale Crematorium. The continuous procession was over half a kilometer long and attracted the attention of a Channel 7 TV news crew, a snippet shown that night. A wake was held back at the Church and at least two after-parties long into the night. It was great to catch up with some old members – if only the circumstances were less tragic.

 

The MTCV Home Page took 313 hits during April and has taken 20,274 since April 1996. Don’t forget to check out the Visitor’s page every now and again. It sometimes contains information that is difficult to propagate any other way. Given recent events, it is also important that members provide an up-to-date email address and regularly check their email.

 

The new itinerary to September is up on the web page. Also new cards are available, either on the rides, at the Social Sips, or with the magazine. Or ring any of the Committee for a supply. Stick a few in your local bike shop. Even though we are printing only 1000 we invariably have quite a few left over.

 

Seen at the May Annual General Meeting: Liz Oliver, Peter Weyermayr, Tim Walker, Paul Southwell, Kate Stewart, Ben Warden, Rob Langer, Bruce Saville, Danny Kosinski, Martin Hastie, Ian Handforth, Nigel Hellyer, Trevor Harris, Ron Johnston, Ian Payne, and Peter Philferan making a total of 16 people. All Committee positions were declared vacant and all previous incumbents offered themselves for re-election except Vice President Bruce Saville. Our new Vice President is Paul Southwell, a very active and keen rider. Supper followed and then a digital slide show of the last five months’ rides.

 

The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per Magazine article (maximum 2 per Magazine). Attending 1 or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating. The 2004/5 is now one month old. The top six points’ scorers to date are: Ron Johnston (7), Robert Langer (7), Ben Warden (7), Martin Hastie (5), Paul Southwell (5) and Peter Weyermayr (4).

 

Nigel Hellyer crashed his Buell on the Jindivick ride resulting in minor cosmetic damage. He walked away with a sore shoulder. The bike was rideable though we haven’t seen it back yet.

 

We bumped into members John Clowes and Eric Makin at the Bakery on the Marysville Ride. I noticed Eric getting off his bike very gingerly. It turned out that he had crashed on a ride day at Phillip Island on Easter Monday. Approaching the end of the front straight at about 260 km/h, on his near new Yamaha R6 with all the trick bits – steering damper, rear shock, aftermarket pegs and levers, exhaust system, a passing 2004 Honda CBR1000 clipped his handlebar. He immediately was spat down the road, the bike somersaulting into oblivion. Eric destroyed his as-new leathers and helmet and sustained serious finger damage. His left hand thumb was broken in two places and left hand little finger in three places. His right hand little finger was broken and he sustained a cracked hip. All in all quite a good outcome, though extremely painful. This was his first ride back – on his new bike. He managed to salvage some of the goodies – but not many. The Honda suffered a holed ducktail. I saw it being repaired at Red Wing.

 

President Ian Payne and partner Kerrie are trekking to the world famous Machu Picchu. The Inca city of Macchu Picchu is at the end of the Inca Hiking Trail through the mountains near Cuzco, Peru. They flew out on Wednesday 12th May and aren’t expected back for six weeks, ie late June. We wish them a safe, fantastic trip and a speedy return. We expect lots of photos.

 

Once again, this Magazine includes a rider profile, this time of Peter Philferan. It is a tribute to his life and times in the Club. Julie and I spent a couple of Thursday evenings interviewing him. The profile has spawned at least two other investigations. The history of the Club is intertwined with the history of Peter. This first article addresses who Peter is, where he came from, and touches on his times with the Club. A follow up article is needed to portray more of Peter’s influence on the direction of the Club – he was President for 12 years – including an airing of more anecdotes from those early days. I have included an article from 1967 – the first one I started reading from a magazine he loaned me. It is very funny. The second investigation concerns the start of the Club. Somewhere around 1955/56 the Club was formed, and hence 2005 could be our 50th anniversary! The new Committee may need to get cracking and start organizing a celebration.