Phil and Vicki Merlo

The Wizard and the Witch

Our modest little story began way back. I was 16 and working as a clean up boy at a Butcher Shop in Mordialloc, Victoria. Vicki was working next door at the Nancarrows Supermarket. I laid eyes on her and thought what a stunner she was (well, I had thoughts about her that sent my heart racing) 30 years later and she still has the same effect on me. Our paths didn’t cross again till 12 months later, by then I had started an Apprenticeship at the Butchers and Vicki had left Nancarrows and worked for her mother at her Florist. I also worked evenings at the local roller skating rink, handing out the skates.

On the 31st of March 1974 I was diligently working at the Skate rink when Vicki and her boyfriend turned up. I recognised her face but for the life of me I couldn’t remember from where I knew her. As the night wore on I occasionally glanced in her general direction (read as “stared”) and she likewise responded. She seemed to have terrible problems with her skates that night and kept coming back over to me to have them adjusted. During these brief interludes we worked out from where we knew each other. At the end of the night as she returned her skates I asked her if she would be returning the next night, to which she replied that she had no one to take her there. As she walked away I stuck my head over the counter and exclaimed that I would pick her up.

April 1^st, April fools day, what a night for a first date. I rocked on around to Vicki’s place in my typical Rocker getup, (black pointy toed boots, black jeans, black lace body shirt, leather jacket and greased back hair). Vicki’s fathers’ worst fears had been realised. Well the night went off well and from there love blossomed. We were married 2 years later on 16 Oct 76. I had just turned 19 and Vicki was a month off 18.

2 years later our first born (Chris) arrived, and in 1979 a career with the military commenced. Whilst serving time in the Army postings to Pucka, Townsville and back to Pucka, then on to Broadmeadows ensured that we never really settled down. My first bike came while posted to Pucka the second time. I had never even ridden a motor bike when I bought a brand new Suzuki. I picked it up and the guy asked if I knew how to ride, when the reply came in the negative he advised that I go over to the park across the road and learn on the grass oval. An hour or so later I had enough confidence to tackle the ride home. I’ll never forget the feeling at looking at the road below me passing along at 80km/h.

Second Son (Rory) arrived in March 86, then I left the Army in May ’86, we needed to settle down for a while. Built a house in Bacchus Marsh and third Son (Scott) arrived in April ’87. I went back to the trade and Vicki’s responsibilities centred on looking after our offspring. Sometime during my spell from the Army I bought my second bike, it was a second hand 250 Yamaha. It lasted a couple of years before it left my stable for greener pastures. In ’90 the call for a steady reliable income and employment that wasn’t 60 hours a week saw me return to the Army.

A few years older and more maturity ensured that I had an easy life on my return visit, it’s great when you know what you can and can’t do. A few good postings and I ended up at Bulimba. As far as work and family goes, I have now retired from the Regular Army and work as a public servant for Defence at Enoggera and Vicki works as a public servant for Defence at Canungra. We now have 2 wonderful grandsons to our 2 eldest sons (1 each).

 On a drive from Brisbane back home to the Gold Coast one fine sunny Sunday we passed a yellow 1800 Goldwing cruising down the highway. Vicki exclaimed that if I had one of those then she would be willing to ride with me. Well red rag to a bull, I had always secretly liked the Wings but had never bothered to say anything as one was merely a pipedream. Vicki’s comment had enlightened a spark within me and 2 weeks later we were looking at Wings for sale.

One came up on the Trading Post site on the web, it looked good and so Saturday morning saw us travelling up to Springwood to inspect the bike, we loved what we saw so the deal was done. When asked if I’d like to test ride, I had to refrain as I hadn’t been on a bike in about 15 years, so a ride as pillion followed. While awaiting delivery a short course with Aegis revised my riding skills. Upon picking up the Wing it was a very nervous rider that rode out from Star Yamaha. Even the salesman was concerned as he rung when we were home to check that I had got there OK.

A look on Goldwing sites on the net and Auswing riders’ site was found. Since then we’ve met a heap of great folks in the club and really enjoy getting out with you all. Maybe one outing to a BBQ could have finished on a better note (next time Vicki has been instructed to get under the bike and then it won’t fall as far.) It’s great to be involved with you guys and we look forward to many more enjoyable rides with you all.

Have a magical day

Phil and Vicki

Blessed Be