Management Committee

President

Bevan Bradford (07) 3822 3512

E-mail: Bevan.L.Bradford@mainroads.qld.gov.au

Vice President

Larry Fisher (07) 5499 0348

E-mail: doumay@bigpond.com

Secretary/Treasurer

Brent Storey (07) 3812 0523

E-mail: awraqld@myaccess.com.au

April 2003

WING NOTES is produced with the object of keeping members informed about matters of interest to AWRA

members. A copy of each issue is sent to every financial member of the AWRA. Copies are also distributed to selected motorcycle dealers in the greater Brisbane area.

Submissions for inclusion in WING NOTES should be with the Editor no later than the Friday following the monthly meeting, i.e.: Friday after the 1st Monday of the month.

DISCLAIMER: Although WING NOTES will endeavour to reproduce submissions in their original form it reserves the right to edit submissions as it sees fit. Views expressed in contributed articles in WING NOTES are not necessarily those of the AWRA or the Editor. WING NOTES is produced with care, in good faith and from sources believed to be accurate at the time of writing.

What’s Inside

All a bit hurried this month as Charleen and I are off to Melbourne for a couple of weeks and I had a two-day job sprung on me this week. It is all go.

Please note there are some changes to the AGM. Details are on pages 3 and 4. See you there.

Photos in this issue were supplied by Deb and Eric, John and Anne as well as a few by Charleen and myself. I notice there were a few print type photos at the meeting last night. Although the digital methods are much quicker, you can still send prints to me and I will scan them for inclusion.

Contributions for this magazine can be emailed to info@auswingriders.com or posted to 47 Breslin St, Carina, Qld 4152. Photos and slides can be scanned and returned.

Nice to see that most members have answered the call and renewed their memberships on time. Good to see some new members also joining the ranks, a big welcome to Winston Axel, who rides a ’99 Red GL 1500 SE, and to Sid & Barbara MacKenzie who have a ’98 Valkyrie. Sadly we have lost some members also, for various reasons, as is their choice, although it is hoped that they do not become complete strangers to the club.

Member numbers at our monthly meetings seem to be swelling each month to the extent that we may have to look at providing a quieter area for our meetings within the Leagues club.

A reminder to all members that Membership fees for 03 / 04 are now due and if not paid by 30 April 03, membership of the AWRA will cease. Fees can be mailed to me at P O Box. 652, Ipswich, 4305. Prompt payment is appreciated, as apart from our ride raffles, this is our only other source of income with which to fund the club. Please note that only current financial members are eligible to vote at the AGM or any general meeting.

Seems I upset a couple of people with my "riding thoughts" comments last month in regard to non-Goldwings. It seems that no matter how hard one tries, someone will always interpret what is written differently to how it was intended. This is because we are all different so it can't be helped. In an attempt to clarify the issue, I will try to re-emphasise my two points. I did not infer that small motorcycles were not welcome. I was attempting to put the views of both groups to generate understanding of the other group's position. I reiterate:

1. Goldwing riders have to understand that we accept smaller bikes and smaller bikes can have a problem keeping up. Goldwing riders need to understand this, compensate, and look out for our little brothers and sisters so they enjoy their ride and continue to participate and eventually go on to become Goldwing riders.

2. Non-Goldwing riders need to understand that Goldwings tour differently and keeping up will be difficult in some circumstances. Non-Goldwing riders should understand that the entire ride group cannot be expected to completely alter their riding style to suit a smaller bike so they may have to ride a little harder than usual.

The May long weekend should have seen our annual general meeting where the club gets together and elects a new executive to guide the club for the next 12 months. This is important and something that should not be taken lightly.

Please find and read the updates in the magazine in regard to the AGM date and venue.

This may be my last "From the President". I set out with the intention of using these opportunities to generate some discussion from members on a variety of issues. I hoped that this would raise the level of participation in newsletter content. Unfortunately, this only worked to a limited extent, but it was worth a try. The other night, someone said this was because everyone agreed with what I said. I obviously should have been more controversial.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the past couple of years and for putting up with me when I was "Not happy, Jan".

Following the decision of the meeting of Monday 7th April, an approach was made to the Crows Nest Caravan Park to hold the Annual General Meeting on the May long weekend. Unfortunately, the hard accommodation was fully booked and the hall was being used for another dinner function.

An emergency telephone and e-mail meeting of the available management committee members was conducted. Sufficient committee members were available to form a quorum. The issue was discussed and the following decisions made:

1. That the AGM be moved to the weekend of 10th and 11th May 2003 and be held at the Crows Nest Caravan Park

2. That as a result of the change to the AGM date, the normal club meeting of 5th May be conducted as usual.

A tentative block booking has been made with the Crows Nest Caravan Park, but members will need to contact the park on (07) 4698 1269 to book their preferred accommodation.

Notice is hereby given that the Australian Wing Riders Association (Qld) Inc. (AWRA) will hold its Annual General Meeting for all members at Crows Nest Caravan Park, Crows Nest, Qld on the weekend of 10/11 May 03

· This will be the fourth AGM of the Association and all financial and intending members are encouraged to attend.

1. Financial members, Ordinary & Associate only, are entitled to vote at the meeting.
(Auxiliary members are welcome but do not have voting rights)

2. Members wishing to have any business included in General Business should notify the Secretary ,in writing, stating the business they wish to be included for discussion.

3. Such notices should be received by the Secretary no later than 14 days prior to the meeting.

4. Any resolution(s) submitted must be in writing and supported by a Proposer & Seconder.

5. Treasurer’s report and presentation of audited financial statement and auditors report.

Sunday 16th March and our alarm has gone off, Ray looks at the heavens and YES it is a fine sunny sky - his prayers were answered and we are on our Wing at 7.35am. We arrive at the BP Garage, Browns Plains, and we are NOT the first! What a roll-up 12 bikes, and Donna's uncle will meet up with us at Kyogle for morning tea. We also received a phone-call from Rob (Bear) and Jane advising us that the alternator on their bike had failed, so they were trying their darndest to fix it and would hopefully meet up with us at the R.S.L. at Evans Head. Also joining our ranks was Mustapha on a Kawasaki Drifter 1500, and Syd & Barbara on their Valkyrie.

We are on the road at 8.30 a.m. and we meander our way down through sleepy hollow Beaudesert, and into the hills which were looking as green as they ever can be - even the cows looked as though they were smiling. Then we turned off onto the rather (in)famous Lyons Road, negotiation the cattle grids, narrow bridges and pot-holes very well. Our planned stop just this side of Kyogle was well and truly needed, with a cuppa and chat and Donna's Uncle Fred and Auntie Betty join us on their Honda Shadow.

Our next stage is a short run into Casino where most of the bikes fuel up, and then onto Coraki where we received a cheery wave from a little bunch of excited kids who were (you guessed it) Donna's relatives!

More pleasant rolling green hills and contented cows, and onto Evans Head for lunch at the R.S.L. What a pleasant hidden little haven it is too. The R.S.L. Bistro is extensive and very tasty with plenty to choose from. Our Raffle was drawn, and Larry is going to change his name to Mary - both Mary's won a prize! I then had to hustle Ray away from the Pokies where he just has to donate more money to the club, and we were finding shady places in the car-park to wait for Bear & Jane, who duly arrived at 2 p.m. and we gave them a rousing cheer for their sterling effort. Waited just long enough to say hello and well-done and then helmets back on and on the road again.

We had coerced the ex-locals - (you guessed it - again) Donna & Andrew into guiding us up to the look-out for sight-seeing, and when we arrived there was a party happening, and Chris was asked to give the lady celebrity a spin on his Trike - much to their excitement Chris agreed, and the lady had her 50th wish - a short ride on the trike!

The next stage was to follow the coastline home, only we had to get onto the highway just outside Broadwater (which we had totally forgotten) but the ride through the sand-dunes is still very pleasant, and on the highway we had the river on our left, then we caught up with our beautiful coastline again at Ballina. What magnificent views they are.

As we rode through Ballina we bade a fond farewell to John & Ann and Chris, and we continued up the coast towards our next stop "ice cream" at Byron Bay. How we make it safely through Byron Bay I do not know, as Rays' eyes are NOT on the road at all! We did a circular ride onto the grass, the Wings are parked neatly for local admiration, and I am sent on a mission while Ray (and others) check-out the surf?! Some of us found room for Ice Cream - and then we are off on the final leg of our trip.

Onto the highway, and giving the Wings a good spin @ 110 - 120 kph and we are still being passed by LandCruisers and CR-V's! Our last stop is at Robina Caltex for fuel and MacDonald’s coffee and for Bear & Jane to have lunch! We were all enjoying our coffees etc, and timing it perfectly for when Bear took a bite of his burger to say "well that's it we are ready to go!" We were not in a hurry to see the end of such a great day, but we had to start to say good-bye - Bill & Mary, Mustapha and Syd & Barbara were almost home and they left the happy band here.

Now it was our turn to wish everyone a safe trip home, we were on the highway at 5.30 p.m. and we raced a huge black cloud that seemed to follow us all the way, trust everyone arrived home dry and safe! Another great day - thank you everyone and see you all soon. Our mileage was 465 km, and we were home at 6.15 p.m.

4. The Titanic’s identical sister ship was launched first. What was it’s name?

How disappointing – we spent ages (well, an hour at least) mapping out an exciting ride through Brisbane’s Southside before finishing at our place for a BBQ. Alas, only two showed up. So with Chris and Sheryl on the Trike, Bill and Mary on their ‘wing, and Charleen and myself on separate bikes, our mighty convoy of four followed a circuitous route from the riverbank up to the lookout at Mt Gravatt. Not really new for any of us as we were all locals, but a little fun anyway.

Leaving Bill and Mary to go visit nearby family, the rest of us went back to Carina to see if anyone else was going to appear. About half an hour later, four bikes arrived and made their way through the tunnel to our back yard. By this time the skies were threatening so we crammed seven bikes undercover. Then Lionel and Mary arrived with no room left in carports, so they had to park in the house – well almost. All that and the storm went around us without a drop falling. I briefly considered locking up the house and garage with all the machinery inside, but I might just have had a fight on my hands. So I just lit up the barbie.

Soon after, a couple more arrived, with Brent falling fowl of the steep side driveway. The front brake just won’t hold it there. Done that myself.

All the cooks gathered around the barbie plate to do their thing. Some cooking their steaks just right and others making sure they were a smoldering ruin. We all enjoyed our own ways and a hearty meal was had by all.

After that, dessert was waiting at Mt Cootha so we all saddled up and headed off through town and up the mountain. The lookout kiosk was fairly crowded, it being a Saturday night and there were long waits in the queue for coffee. The ice cream queue was a little shorter. Then we all sat around and had pieces of Mary’s birthday tart, cooked earlier by Charleen. Storm clouds were gathering again with rumbling thunder close by, so everyone left fairly quickly after that. Rob and Jayne had been telling us of their near-death experience in a storm just one week before, and now they had to ride towards this one. Bill and Mary had to make for the Gold Coast but judging by the radar, would have been lucky to escape a drenching. It’s all good fun.

P.S. I have since found out that Bill and Mary got thoroughly drenched on the run home and Rob and Jayne had yet another wet ride home as well. Can’t help bad Luck. CLL.

If you lived as a child in the 40's, 50's, 60's or 70's, looking back, it's hard to believe that we have lived as long as we have...

Our cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paint. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cupboards, and when we rode our bikes we had no helmets.

We would spend hours building go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times we learned to solve the problem.

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day.

We got cut and broke bones and broke teeth, and there were no law suits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was to blame, but us. Remember accidents?

We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue and learned to get over it.

We ate patty cakes, bread and butter, and drank cordial, but we were never overweight...we were always outside playing. We shared one drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one died from this.

We did not have Play stations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, video games, 65 channels on pay TV, video tape movies, surround sound, personal mobile phones, Personal Computers, Internet chat rooms ... we had friends. We went outside and found them. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rung the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.

Imagine such a thing. Without asking a parent! By ourselves! Out there in the cold cruel world! Without a guardian - how did we do it?

We made up games with sticks and tennis balls, and ate worms, and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us forever.

Footy and netball had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't, had to learn to deal with disappointment.....

Some students weren't as smart as others so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade. Tests were not adjusted for any reason.

Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected. No one to hide behind. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law has unheard of. They actually sided with the law - imagine that!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years has been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

Ride / Social Calendar

SOCIAL COORDINATORS – Chris & Sheryl Pusey - Ph. 38073581

**RIDE ORGANISERS: Please check the details of your ride and let me know of any changes

IMPORTANT: EVEN IF YOU HAVN’T FINALISED THE DETAILS OF YOUR RIDE, JUST SUPPLY THE START LOCATION & TIME, THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE RIDE, AND THE MEAL ARRANGEMENTS.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

It is the personal responsibility of each motorcyclist to be responsible for at least the following:

Ø That they ride in a considerate manner that does not endanger, or unnecessarily inconvenience other road users

BILL’S SOAP BOX - CLUB RIDES:

Last night’s meeting saw some very relevant and emotive issues brought up about the way we ride, and how we are or may be perceived on the road by other motorists. When I started out as the Ride Coordinator, I started to include on the same page as the Ride Calendar what I thought were some basic responsibilities that we all should understand. As you can see from the list above, courtesy to other motorists is one of those items.

We have a great club, and one of the things that I like about it is that fact that everyone is courteous to each other, and to others that we meet. Although I was on the ride that was mentioned last meeting, I had absolutely no knowledge of the problems that were brought up at the meeting. From where I was riding, everything looked great, and not only did Mary and I have a great time, but our guests Sid and Barb, and Mustafa did too. Why the contrast?

There are obviously things on the ride that can be observed from behind that are not apparent to the riders at the front. So what is the best course of action? My belief is to raise the issue then and there and solve the problem before it festers into a major issue, or worse, causes an accident. I believe our duty of care to each other and to our fellow motorists is to stop any potentially threatening situations in a pro-active manner, at the time they occur. If we somehow had a dangerous riding “lair” on a ride, or someone that was drunk, would we not do something about it immediately? Failure to do so would be ignoring our duty of care.

The other issue that was raised was the functions of the Ride Captain, Tail End Charlie, the Ride Co-ordinator, and the President on rides, and there were some contrasting views. I have never had any instructions on the role of either of these positions, or if in fact there is an obligation on any of these positions during a ride. Do we lay the responsibility on the officials of the club, and blissfully sit back and dodge blame or criticise when things don’t work out perfectly? If we do that there will be no officials, and the club will fold. This needs to be raised at our forthcoming AGM, and hopefully resolved.

With the election of new officials being a primary role of the AGM, this may be my last Ride Calendar. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their assistance over the last couple of years, and wish the incoming Ride Co-ordinator the very best for the future.

Rider’s Briefing	Let’s Go!
Annette’s leg stretch	In Beaudesert

Date	Destination	Ride / Social Event Details	Coordinator/s
APRIL RIDE 20^th April	TBA	MEET AT 8AM FOR AN 8.30 START Meet at the BP Service Station on the Mt Lindsay Highway, 1kilometer south of the Greenbank RSL. Approx U.B.D. Map 259 N 2. Bring Smoko, Buy Lunch	Larry & Annette
A.G.M.	TBA	See Website for details
MAY RIDE 8/5/03	TBA	TBA	EDDIE
14^th & 15^th June 1^st Aid course	2 day, recognised First Aid Course at Red Cross rooms, Ipswich. The cost is $120.00 per person, which will be subsidised by the Ulysses Club to 50% for members. There will be a social dinner at Tamata’s Italian Restaurant on Saturday night, whether or not you come to the course. Notify Turbo or Wendy for bookings.		Turbo & Wendy
JULY RIDE 20 JULY	PROGRESSIVE MEALS	Breakfast at Eric & - Debbie’s Burpengary – 8.30am - ? Lunch at Andy & Donna’s – Yamanto Afternoon Tea at Lionel & Mary’s - Boondall	LIONEL & MARY

Ø	The Editor Writes & The Secretary Notes
Ø	The President Speaks
Ø	AGM Notice
Ø	Ride Report – Evans Head
Ø	Test Your Knowledge
Ø	Ride Report – Social
Ø	How Did We Survive?
Ø	Shame File
Ø	Ride/Social Calendar
Ø	Meeting Minutes (Members Only)

WING NOTES

Newsletter of the

April 2003

Management Committee

President

Bevan Bradford (07) 3822 3512

Vice President

Secretary/Treasurer

April 2003

What’s Inside

Ride / Social Calendar

Ride / Social Event Details

Coordinator/s

APRIL RIDE

14th & 15th June

JULY RIDE

20 JULY

SOCIAL COORDINATORS – Chris & Sheryl Pusey - Ph. 38073581

**RIDE ORGANISERS: Please check the details of your ride and let me know of any changes

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

BILL’S SOAP BOX - CLUB RIDES:

14^th & 15^th June