More Media Coverage

Here's a little piece that featured in the Point Cook Star, a little local paper, but it's great to see they are supporting the Long Ride.

One Giant Prize For Choccy Lovers

There's no dout that a raffle always helps raise funds and with Easter just around the corner have I got a cracker for you.

Computershare's own fundraising guru, Robert 'Tav' Swinton is offering one hell of chocolate fiends best friend, a 10kg block of Cadbury's Dairy Milk.  But as they say in the classics, "wait, there's more".

Second prize is a 4.5kg Toblerone, that's some serious mountains of chocolate.  And third prize, well there's 10 third prizes of bags of Easter eggs.

The great thing is, tickets are just $2 each or three for $5.  If you want to buy any please email me (leigh.wilkins@bigpond.com) and I'll send you the details of how to enter.  It's as easy as that.

Superbikes, Grabbed Some Super Attention

The push to promote the Long Ride continued on the weekend with a ride down to Phillip Island for the opening round of the World Superbike Championship.

As with any bike event at Phillip Island the place with packed with bikes and even more spectators so it was a great place to show of the ride logo and the logos of the companies that have already come on board.  In fact quite a few people commented on it.


Ok, so some things grabbed the attention
more than the Long Ride.

Wandering the motorcycle expo was great, a brilliant place to network the Long Ride.  It was even a great chance to talk a few punters into purchasing some great gear from Ugly Fish, no doubt the best sunnies on the market.

Regardless of the stinking hot weather the racing was great.  After former MotoGP racer Carlos Checa put his Ducati on pole, race one went to Sylvain Guintoli riding an Aprilia, after Marco Milanrdi took Checa out.  Never the less it was a cracker of a race.

Race two went to Guintoli's teammate, Eugene Laverty, after a great battle with his teammate.

The ride home was just as great with literally hundreds of bikes lining the road and again a great way to get the supporters of the Long Ride noticed.

Support From the Point Cook Weekly

With the Long Ride now just over 70 days away it's great to see that the local media is getting behind the event and helping raise awareness and possibly funds.  Here's a piece that featured in the Point Cook Weekly.

Johnson Matthey, As Good As Gold

There's no doubt that an event like the Long Ride brings out the best in people and corporations, it's the donations of these people that make the ride a success.  One company has gone a long way to make the ride a huge success.

Johnson Matthey Austtralia, a leading manufacturer of precious metal products have very generously made a considerable donation to my Long Ride fundraising efforts and has seen the overall amount get much closer to the target of $15,000.

Concentrating on innovative growth solutions through high-quality products, services and tailored support initiatives Johnson Matthey Australia saw this as being a perfect fit with the work the Long Ride is trying to achieve.

The amazing thing for me is that Johsnon Matthey Australia are so hunble that they chose not to have their logo on the Long Ride riders vest, not because they didn't want to, they just wanted to make a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia with little fuss.  Everyone know's I love a patch so this was a little disappointing, but hey I'm just very grateful for their very, very generous donation.

The overall amount raised now is at $5800, still a way off the $15,000, but we are getting there and with donations like that made by Johnson Matthey Australia I'm sure we can reach and surpass the goals set.

300 Riders Turn Out For Fallen Officers

Over 300 bikes turned out at Ararat last weekend to honour Australia's fallen police officers.  The ride was organised for the entire 170km around the Grampians area.

This was considered to be one of the best 'Rides To Remember', one that the local police agreed was a great success.  The ride helped raise around $8000 for the East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital), which will go towards a new CT Scanner for the hospital.

Around 300 riders turned out to suppport fallen police officers.

A little fog and mist early Sunday morning did not deter over 300 motorcyclist enthusiasts assembling in front of the Ararat Performing Arts Centre for the start of the fifth annual "Grampians Ride to Remember".

With pre bookings strong the organizing committee were prepared for and additional influx of riders and pillions and they were not disappointed as motorcyclist continued to roll in right up to the departure time.

Prior to the Ride’s departure Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Western Region, Jack Blayney addressed the crowd to acknowledge the Grampians Region Police Officers involved in the Ride, the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, particularly the Ararat Branch, and their Ride Sub Committee for organizing such an event that honours Victoria Police killed in the line of duty, and also supports East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital) through funds raised from the event.

The Assistant Commissioner was joined by Wimmera Region’s Superintendent Graham Kent and Inspector Paul Hargreaves, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation CEO Neil Soullier, Ararat Branches President Terry Weeks and Cr Murray Woods from Ararat Rural City as they flagged the Ride on its 170km journey.

The Ride was led by two Victoria Police Solos and a Stay Upright Safety Instructor under the command of Sgt Shaun Allen and assisted by Sgt Silas Stephens (Ararat Highway Patrol) together with local police officers from the region. In addition twelve volunteer Marshalls from the organising committee ably lead by Chief Marshall, Simon Clayfield assisted at designated points along the route.

The Ride took in the townships of Maroona, Willaura, Wickcliffe and arrived at Lake Bolac for a break to stretch the legs, enjoy morning tea which was put on by the Lake Bolac Secondary College, and then take off again to Westmere and Streatham area before reassembling at Buangor for the Western Highway crossing onto Warrak road then back to Alexandra Gardens in Ararat. All involved in the Ride were greeted at the entry gate with a welcoming bottle of cold water and show-bag that included the commemorative badge. Then, everyone had the chance to enjoy a well organised Ararat Lions Club BBQ Lunch and check out the Show N Shine, Sponsor Displays by Wimmera Motorcycle Co and Brass Balls Motorcycles, the Blue Ribbon Merchandising and support the other fundraising activities.

The Show N Shine which only was introduced a couple of years ago continues to grow in popularity with this year over 50 bikes entered in the five categories and great interest was shown in the People’s Choice with a motorcycle helmet on offer for the winning bike.

Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation’s CEO Neil Soullier addressed the gathering and reinforced the mission of the Foundation, the history of where the "Ride to Remember" started in Melbourne, and how Ararat had embraced the event five years ago. Today this is the only Ride for the Foundation and everyone involved are to be congratulated on running such a well organised event that offers motorcyclists a chance to come together from over the state and together support such a good cause as a new CT Scanner for the Ararat Hospital".

At the conclusion of the day’s activities Ararat Branch President, Terry Weeks in thanking everyone said: "The feedback today from riders and pillions is that our event has been a well organised and everyone has had a safe and enjoyable Ride. Well done to everyone involved from the Foundation, Victoria Police, Ararat Lions Club, Ararat Rural City, East Grampians Health Service, the great Ride Sub C’tee, Ararat Branch members and partners, sponsors, supporters and volunteers for all working together to continue what is a very popular event for Ararat and our fundraising efforts."

Great Support From LOcal Businesses

There's no doubt that raising funds is always tough, and not everyone can help financially, it's great when help comes in any way, shape or form.

Two businesses that are going a long way to help are both allowing me to generate more support and demonstrate the support of those that have come on board.

Embroidery Time in Johnston Street, Collingwood have been great in providing clothe patches showing the logo's of the businesses that are supporting my Long Ride. With no complaint about my demands around size, colours, and time frames, Reza and Komel have done a fantastic job to creating the patches.  The work they did embroidering the back of my leather riders vest is some of the best work I have ever seen.  Thanks guys.

If you ever need embroidery work done check these guys out -

Embroidery Time

90 Johnston Street, Collingwood 3066
Tel: 03- 94192208
Fax: 03- 94192204
Website: www.embroiderytime.com.au
Email: enquiry@embroiderytime.com.au

The same must be said for Jamie at Sign Perfection.  Jamie has created a batch of stickers with a unique Long Ride logo to be used to advertise the event and hopefully generate for support.

The stickers are a decent size and look fantastic and have already been going like hot cakes.  I can't thank Jamie and Sign Perfection enough for the work they have done in helping the Long Ride.  Thanks mate.

Check out Sign Perfection for all your sign writing and display needs -

Sign Perfection
Factory 8/85-91 High Street
Melton, Victoria 3337

Telephone : (03) 9743 7711
Fax : (03) 9743 7722
Email : signs@signperfection.com.au
Website : www.signperfection.com.au

Leave The 'First Blokes' Prostate Alone

It's a serious issue, Prostate Cancer, but hey, if you can't laugh about it or yourself what can you laugh about?

Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of our fair country, didn't see the funny side of it when her partner, Tim Mathieson made a joke about getting the old rectal examination done while addressing an audience of Australian and West Indian cricketers.

Julia's other half stated that the only surefire way to make sure your prostate was ok was to get a finger in the bum, preferably by "a small female Asian doctor" he lamented.  The audience laughed, as I'm sure most blokes would've however, our Prime Minister and the media didn't see the funny side of things calling the 'first bloke' a sexist, racist and probably having poor taste.


Tim Mathieson looks worried, Julia looks smug ... was that
the crack of a latex glove?



Lighten up people, yes it's a serious issue, but come on humour is often the best way to lighten a situation and if that gets more men talking about their health and having the check done then good on Mr Mathieson.  My own dad, who had a very serious bought of prostate cancer, now laughs about it, often stating that he had "so many fingers in his arse, that he was starting to enjoy it", he was just concerned he'd turn around and see doctor zipping up his fly.  His laughing about it, has enabled him to talk about it.

One of the funniest things I have ever heard is Billy Connolly talking about his prostate examination, I laugh so much that I cry every time I watch it.  There's no doubt it's in poor taste, he explains that it's like having a try stump being shoved in a place it's not supposed to go, but the way he tells it is so funny.  And you know what, every time I hear him laughing at his own experiences I think, "hmm I should go and get mine checked".

There's no doubt that it's an awful subject, but by laughing about it more men might start talking about it and admitting it's time to take care of their health.  So come on people, lay off Julia's bloke, he made a bad joke, big deal!  He also got people talking about prostate cancer and men's health in general.  Tim, good on you.

Moyston Music ... A Great Way to Test Some Gear

The Australia Day weekend saw a new music festival arise, it didn't have big name international acts, it didn't have masses of drunks not really interested in the music, and it didn't have so many stages that you couldn't see everything.

In fact the inaugural Moyston Music Festival had none of the aforementioned, it had just one stage with great local acts, playing in front of appreciative fans of music.

Mick Thomas was a highlight at Moyston

Moyston is about 20 minutes outside of Ararat at the foot of the Grampians in country Victoria, an ideal place for a music festival and an ideal place to test the camping gear that will be used during the Long Ride.



Besides beer being just $3.50 a can, about a third of what you would get charged at the Big Day Out, for me the highlights where headline act Mick Thomas (of Weddings, Parties, Anything fame) and St Kilda lads Dirt River Radio.  Another highlight came at about 1am when two old blokes, one with a Harley and the other a Triumph America, started up the Harley and while it thundered away the owner proceeded to proclaim, "I just wanted to hear f'en Barnsey."  Ah bogans, they're everywhere.  It was pretty funny, as everyone was trying to get to sleep.

The little tent, sleeping bag, and an array of self-inflating mattresses and pillows where pretty comfortable, but don't know how they will go after a hard day of long distance riding - time will tell.

As I dosed off I couldn't help but think what a great day of music it had been, especially seeing the Dirties playing their new stuff as well as their 'classics'.  I certainly hope the Moyston Music Festival returns for a second year.