Hi all, still not used to writing a report so bear with me. This last month has been a reasonably quiet one mostly working and only a little socializing. But whilst most of us have to put up with working for a living, at least some of our members are enjoying a holiday. I would like to wish Clint and Charleen a fantastic and safe trip to the States and look forward to seeing them on their return with plenty of stories and tales to tell. Bob and Kerry will also be leaving for the USA in 2 weeks and I would like to wish them a safe and happy trip.

Geoff has taken over the website and doing a great job, he has made a few changes, additions and is keeping us updated.

Our ride co-ordinator should be back for our next meeting, seems he and Vicki have been waylaid. I trust he has had a productive trip to Puckapunyal. Once again our ride calendar is looking sad and I hope that we have some members who are going to offer to help Phil out with rides and socials.

On our last social ride Bill and Mary’s son Robert joined us for the night out. Unfortunately during the last part of the ride down Mt Nebo he learnt the hard way how easy it was to keep your bike upright, through no fault of his own. I had only a few minutes earlier commented to Deb how comfortable he looked riding and how well he handled his bike.

On a reasonably straight stretch of road, gravel had been washed down onto the road by the past rains, which was enough to unsettle his bike; luckily he managed not to break anything, although he did lose a bit of skin. After some minor medical treatment and despite his bike being a bit worse for wear, Robert rode the remainder of the way to Manly, (nothing was keeping him from a feed) and then home from there. Well done Robert and I am pleased that he had the courage to get back on after dropping your bike, as many of us know it is a frightening experience.

For those that have E Toll or the new name GoViatag on their bikes there are some changes taking place on the 1 Jul 09, from this date if you have a motorbike on your account you will not be required to carry your go viatag on your bike. You will only be charged the cost of the toll and not the 40c video matching fee.

I hope that all our members have fared well during the bad weather we have had lately.

Looking forward to seeing you all at our next meeting, Ride Safe.

Eric

Hi everyone,

Well the current club year is well under way, and I believe that there are exciting times ahead for us all. The Committee is still in the transition phase, but we should have the outstanding issues finalized by next months meeting.

As you know I am performing two functions on the Committee this year; Vice President and Treasurer. I don’t see this as an emerging problem as they are different functions and it will only take some time management and the compartmentation of issues to perform both tasks to the level that you as members would expect. No, I don’t get two votes on the Committee.

Most of my efforts so far have been in the Treasurers portfolio as I assemble all of the documents, arrange signatures for the bank account, and get the financial ledger up to date. This is almost complete.

I decided at the start of this club year that I would keep my position as club Vice President reasonably low key. I see my role as one of support for the President, and with the aid of the rest of the Committee I want to participate in a consultative manner, and assist our President to guide the club through the next phase. Of course I will be there to act as Chair of the meetings and do other jobs if Eric can’t make it, but I believe that each President should be given the opportunity to take the rudder, and steer the ship, (with consultation), in the direction they choose. For this reason, unless I have something in particular that I would like to say, there may not be Vice Presidents reports every month.

I would like to say what a great job that Winston did with his ride last month, and thank Geoff and Julie for their impromptu social ride as well.

The social ride took us over Mt Glorious and Mt Nebo and down into The Gap from where we made our way to Wynnum for a fish and chips tea.

The weather wasn’t the best and only the intrepid came which included our son Robert on his Honda CBRF 250. Does that make you Gold Wing riders a little embarrassed? It was a great ride needing all of our concentration and I was particularly proud of Robert and the way he handled his bike. At one stage, Peter contacted me on the CB asked how long had Robert had his license. When I told him only 4 months, he was surprised, and commented how well he was handling the bike. It was extremely disappointing when on a strait stretch of road at less than 40 kph, some gravel took Roberts wheels out and he went down. Let me tell you that is not what you want to hear in your CB. As Geoff said in his ride report, it could have happened to any of us.

He was not hurt too bad, and although his bike was a little worse for wear it was rideable so he was adamant that he wanted to continue, (against his parents’ wishes). Even after tea when Geoff and Julie offered to store his bike and drive him home he was determined to ride home.

I rode it down to the bike shop on Friday for a quote for repairs, and the dealer believes that the insurance company will write it off. The headlight and instrument cluster is damaged, and the panels down one side are scratched and he thinks that is enough. The good news is that Robert is fully insured, and his insurance company, Insure My Ride, will replace this bike with a new one if it is written off.

Robert, Mary, and I are extremely grateful to Eric, Deb, Geoff, Julie, and Peter who all gave great assistance and support after the accident. Deb pulled out her First Aid Kit, and helped patch Robert up and everyone was doing something to help. We were all very grateful to the motorists who stopped and offered assistance, and even followed us to The Gap to make sure we were all OK. We took Robert to the doctor the next day, and after x-rays and some painful scrubbing dirt out of his grazes, he is feeling fine and can’t wait to get back riding again.

Realising that we did not have enough, Mary and I have bought a new First Aid Kit and it is in the bike hoping it never needs to be used.

Please remember, our club will only be as good as its members. Ask what you can contribute, not what you can get. Start planning a ride or a social now so that when you get asked, it is already done.

We’ll see you on the next ride.

Keep it up.

Bill Carter

Vice President, AWRA

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Ride Co-ordinators Report