The Star of Alice ... Lisa Perry

There's little doubt that the motorcyclists on the Long Ride need a good feed and none will come better than that had at the Star of Alice function centre when we stay in Alice Springs.

Lisa Perry, who recently opened Star of Alice is providing the riders with a gourmet BBQ as a thank you for what the Long Ride achieves through the awareness campaign and fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Lisa opened the centre earlier this year after success with her Reality Bites catering company throughout the Alice Springs region.

Lisa was recently quoted in the Alice Springs News, “If you do things well, and you’re passionate about what you are doing, the word spreads quite quickly and people tend to support you, and there are good things happening.”  This holds true to the Long Ride and it's this belief that has seen Lisa support us and we can't wait to support her and Star of Alice.

Personally I can't wait to enjoy a good steak, a cold beer and great company at a venue like Star of Alice.  Looking forward to the night in the Alice with other riders.

Leading Specialist IT Distributor Comes Along For the Long Ride

ACA Pacific is a private held Australian leader in the distribution of specialist information technology hardware and software solutions and is now a continued supporter of my Long Ride.

With over 23 years of experience and continual growth, ACA Pacific has earned itself a reputation for having a thorough knowledge of its customers’ needs and a firm grasp of technology. Having evolved from a volume distributor of storage products to today’s successful value-added solutions provider, ACA Pacific's business approach emphasises customer service, excellence in product sales and technical knowledge and a continued commitment to the profitability of all channel partners through value-added services.

This approach to it's customer is how ACA Pacific sees it approach to supporting the Long Ride and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.  

I'm extremely proud to carry the ACA Pacific logo on my riding gear to show their support of the PCFA visit www.acapacific.com.au and see how they can help support you and your business.

TJM - Equipped For The Long Ride

So far searching for community support has been quite consuming.  In total over 240 businesses, community groups and councils have been contacted trying to generate some interest in the Long Ride as well as raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

While some areas have shown great support, others have gone even further.  One such area to really get behind the riders heading north through Queensland has been Mt Isa, and in particular one business - TJM.

Led by Rod Spinks, of the Spinks Group and his Mt Isa manager, Lucian Brown, TJM Mt Isa have shown some of the most generous support we have seen so far.  They have very kindly not only made a financial contribution to the PCFA but also offered to donate some 4x4 equipment to be used as fundraising.

I must admit, I'm not an off-roader, and was once 'burnt' by the 'good people' at ARB however, the support shown by Rod and Lucian has made me have a rethink, maybe a LandCruiser or something similar is just around the corner ... or will it be an adventure bike?

Anyway, if you're in the Mt Isa region drop by 17 Simpson Street and check out TJM.  I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you out.

Community Support Growing

The Southern Riverina News
July 2, 2014

Support for the Long Riders doing the extra long way is gaining.  In the past few days there's been media interest from the Southern Riverina News, covering the Finley area of southern New South Wales.  

This has grown through interest shown by the local Lions Club as well as the local council, in fact what this region has done so far really makes this the unofficial starting point for the long Long Ride.  Initially the first stop of the day would've been Echuca, this has now been bypassed and we'll head straight to Finley to meet the local community and have lunch with them - in many ways it's our way of saying thank you for the work they have done for us.

Sophie Burge from the Southern Riverina News wrote a fantastic piece on the ride covering what we are doing, what it is all about, and when we'll be in town ... I hope the other riders don't get upset that it was all about me ...

Just one of the noticeboards in Cloncurry 
with the poster on it.

The good people of Cloncurry in Queensland have also started to show some fantastic support for the ride, through the great work being done by Thea Dasios.  Thea has gone around town putting up a number of posters advertising the ride as well as generating social media coverage through the Cloncurry Shire Council's Facebook page.

While in Cloncurry we'll hopefully be able to meet the mayor as well as the local councilors and community and generate even greater interest.

Can't wait to meet all of these people.

Bobby Womack Joins The Greats

A few days ago the music world was saddened to hear of the death of Bobby Womack, an influential R&B artist who inspired so many.

Recently 70 year old Womack had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, something that is very close to my heart too, and have even survived prostate and colon cancer however, it is still unknown what had caused his death.

Womack was prolific during the 1960's and 70's, his song It's All Over Now, became a world wide hit when The Rolling Stones recorded a version of it.  In fact it was their first number one.

A 2013 comeback album heralded a new start for Womack however, health issues were certainly taking their toll, he was forced to cancel a number of gigs and tours.

One quote about Womack said, "he's a beautiful person and when he opens his mouth and that voice comes out, it is something that is somehow touched by God.''  God has now been touched by Womack who will certainly join the great R&B band up in heaven.

Saferay Back On Board For The Long Ride

Another long time supporter to join us for the Long Ride is Saferay Pty Ltd.

Saferay is a world leader in providing optimum radiation safety standards in medical applications.  Providing a comprehensive and reliable testing service for all radiological and nuclear medicine equipment Saferay know first hand what a service the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is able to provide through awareness raising efforts of an event like the Long Ride and is proud to be a part of it.

The Long Ride is extremely proud to have the support of businesses like Saferay who certainly make the fundraising efforts worthwhile due to their very generous support.

TMC, Passionate About The Long Ride

"It isn’t a formulaic process, finding the best job for our candidates. Neither is finding the best candidates for the job,  It demands a tailored approach and it’s something we’ve been passionate about since we opened our doors," is how TMC Agency describe the process of finding the best team members for a number of organisations, and it's exactly what they do.

TMC Managing Director, Annette Briffa says it's all about passion.  Passion is something that TMC always provide and it's their passion and support for the Long Ride and the PCFA that helps drive me.  

Since taking on my first Long Ride TMC have been there right behind me, not only supporting the fundraising for the PCFA but also coming along for the ride passionately supporting what we do.  It's fantastic what TMC and greatly appreciated, this is also reflected in the way that they do business.  Without the support of people and businesses like TMC the aim of the Long Ride would simply be lost.

Annette, TMC, thank you.