Port Stephens Ulysses Branch

Transcription

1 August 2014 Port Stephens Ulysses Branch President: Kerrie Skinner Ph , Mob Secretary/Treasurer: Anne Crowley Mob Committee: Jackie McCallum, Brett Davis, Brian McCallum, Bob Lucas Ride Liaison Officer: Brett Davis Ph , Mob All sensible correspondence to: Working on it... Newsletter correspondence to: Bob , Member of the Month President s Report At the beginning of the year I quietly celebrated the fact that I was heading into my tenth year as a member of Port Stephens Ulysses Branch, never imagining that I would see the year out as President of the Branch. I would like to thank Paul for his time spent at the helm and though it was short, the fact that he was prepared to stand for the position and take on the role has to be commended and with that in mind I will do my best to carry on in his place. It is also fifteen years since the establishment of the Branch and I would like to extend a special invitation to members and past members that we have not seen for some time to come along to our August meeting on Friday 29 th. We all lead busy lives and sometimes other things need to take priority but we would love see you if you can make it. Brett has done a great job instigating a calendar asking all members to participate in organising either a ride, day out, weekend away or any other social event, this calendar will be available at each meeting to allow members to pick a date for the event they would like to organise, so give it some thought if you have an idea bring it to the next meeting we would love to hear it. On a final note I would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to both Ron and I during his twelve month battle with cancer and since his passing on 25 th June. There is nothing like the gift of friendship. The cards, flowers, phone calls, written expressions, offers of help and support and attendance at the funeral, have been both humbling and a great comfort. A special thank you to both Leonie for her work on the branch flag and to every rider that took part in the cortege, helping our son Matt and the Fire Brigade give Ron a send-off that we know he would have loved. I found this saying that Ron had written on a scrap piece of paper in his top drawer the other day:- Life s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting Holy Shit, what a ride Now I had to laugh because he probably would have done an analysis on the safety of the journey, asked the boys a few questions about how best to execute the skid so as not to overshoot the grave, and then made sure he was really going to enjoy the Holy Shit bit, and that s ok because after all it was HIS ride. Your President Kerrie - The Ferry Fairy

2 Secretary/Treasurer s Report Balance in Accounts: General Account $1,110.90; Meet & Greet Account $ Correspondence: from Craigdon Accommodation and Functions from Narrabri offering packages from National Committee advising of increase in fees from Ken regarding the sale of his GoldWing Fines $7.60 Col, Jack, Dave, Wally, Paul, Al Raffles $62.00 Anne, Trevor, Paul Knox (redraw Al Ford) A very informative meeting with Kerrie s presentation including rides and events. Good to have you in the big chair Kerrie. I like Jack s suggestion that Paul could be the drinks boy for future meetings not sure Paul heard that one. A massive thanks to the lovely ladies who made my 60 th on 18 August 2014 such a special day. Lunch at Birubi Beach Restaurant was excellent. Great choice of food. Kerrie excelled herself with a chocolate cake and all the trimmings. Thanks girls, I appreciated your thoughts and company and thanks for the lovely cards etc. Paul surprised me with breakfast at Birubi Beach Restaurant with his daughter and granddaughter, Amanda and a few friends and then on Monday night a few of my girlfriends celebrated with me at the Thai restaurant at Corlette. It s a good way to spend your birthday eating and having fun with friends. A very big INVITATION to all members to come along to our next meeting on 29 August 2014 to celebrate the branch s 15 th Anniversary. This will be a very big night lots of surprises. Don t miss out. Until next meeting, Anne Mr Evans has been trying to crack on to Becky Cole again recently. Last time we witnessed this was at a do at Tanilba RSL a coupla years back. Always had suspicions about his sexuality doesn't he know about Bec?

3 MINUTES OF SOCIAL MEETING 25 July 2014 (at Soldiers Point Bowling Club) Meeting Opened: 7.30p.m. Apologies: Bob and Marilyn, Eve, Phil McTaggart Attendance: 17 President Paul s Report: Paul welcomed all present. Paul explained that he would be unable to continue as President as his hearing had deteriorated to a very low level Paul read out a letter from Salamander Bay Shopping Centre inviting branch veterans to participate in the Annual Fundraiser on 23 August Suggestion made that anyone interested would contact the Centre Manager direct. General Business: Kerri, on behalf of Brett, spoke about future rides and events and provided a large calendar that Brett had commenced with rides and events for the next twelve months. Kerrie sought suggestions from all members as to ideas for socialising and to include same on the calendar to be discussed and finalised. Suggestion for progressive dinner Entrees at Leo s, Mains at Eves and Desserts at Kerrie s. Kerrie made suggestion to members that they were welcome to bring their tents/sleeping bags etc and stay at her property at the conclusion of the progressive dinner. Suggestion also that hire of a bus could be checked out. Date and time to be advised. Further discussions and suggestions from members regarding events John Evans approached the floor and confirmed that Kerrie Skinner was willing to accept the position of President. Kerrie had been elected a committee member at the recent AGM. Welcome to our new President Kerrie. Meeting Closed 8.20pm I was in a pub in far Western Queensland last Saturday night, when this really brutally ugly girl came up to me, squeezed my backside and said, "Give me your number, sexy." I replied "Have you got a pen?" She smiled and said "Yes." I replied, "Well you better get back to it, before the farmer notices you're missing."

4 THE HILLS XMAS IN JULY AT THE DONKEY SANCTUARY Saturday 26 July 14 a few riders and drivers from the Ulysses Club, Port Stephens and The Hills branches, joined together for a Donkey Sanctuary Fund Raiser held at the Clarencetown Bowling Club. There were 27 of Ulysses members in total and the remainder of the function room was then filled by the locals, which was great to see such commitment by the local community. it was all about. John Kerr from the Hills branch introduced his unusual interest of the Donkey Sanctuary, at one of our Port Stephens Branch meeting some time back, and we were all intrigued of what John and his wife, Gillian are volunteers and now managers of the Donkey Sanctuary in Glen Williams. It is their passion and have 2 donkeys of their own there, that they moved from their home in Sydney. They are relocating to Nelson Bay, to start a new lifestyle in the bay. This way, they can be closer to the Donkey Sanctuary and will be able to continue caring for all ailing donkeys in the area. The Clarencetown Bowling Club did such a wonderful job for this fund raiser. They had organised a country style duo for our entertainment for the afternoon, and presented us with a lovely Xmas in July 2 course luncheon and a complimentary Egg Nog for those that need not to worry about driving. They had lots of memorabilia items of the Donkey Sanctuary for sale, a large raffle, even an Auction of various items such as PC Tablets, manchester, pictures, electrical items etc... which all helped to raise quite a good amount for the Donkey Sanctuary Trust, which will assist with the care of the donkeys in the near future. After leaving the Clarencetown Bowling Club, we all continued on to the Donkey Sanctuary. It was all quite well organised with large open fields, large open sheds for shelter, a closed in shed for the ill donkeys which have special straps, supports etc. where they recover after operations. John was very helpful with any questions people had. It was a very interesting day and enjoyed by all. Most of us continued on to Dungog for the night and a few went home. Thanks to Brian & Jackie for this report Royal Canadian Mounted Police You know they complain about the RCMP, but you rarely hear about the positive things that they do, such as this one. In the fun world of the administration of justice, not all the laughs are in the court-room. Indeed, giggles and guffaws can erupt at almost any time or place. For example: On a bitterly cold winter's day several years ago in Northern British Columbia, an RCMP constable on patrol came across a motorcyclist, who was swathed in protective clothing and helmet, stalled by the roadside. "What's the matter?" asked the Policeman. "Carburettor's frozen," was the terse reply. "Pee on it. That'll thaw it out." "Can't." "OK, Watch me and I ll show you." The constable lubricated the carburettor, as promised. The bike started and the rider drove off, waving. A few days later, the detachment office received a note of thanks from the father of the motorbike rider. It began: "On behalf of my daughter,...

5 RON S DAY ON THE BEACH Just home from overseas and got an invitation to attend a memorial BBQ on Stockton Beach, to burn some of the wood Ron had chopped on his last visit to Bargoed House, and to celebrate his life a little. Brett and Jennifer brought Kerrie along with them, the Evans, McCallums and Lucas turned up in their fourbies, and Jack and Dave arrived on their chookies. It had started out a pretty ordinary day, with very energetic breezes and plenty of cloud. Quite cool actually, and now that the Worrimi has shut us out of the dunes, we couldn t use the sandhills to protect us from the wind. Nevertheless, we formed a sort of white man s windbreak with our vehicles, and got the fires burning. JE set up his converted LPG bottle wood-fired cooker, Brett did a show and tell by breaking out his new fan-dangled brassier, while I stuck with the trusty old gas BBQ (and no, not ONLY because fires on the beach are illegal!). Jack took off solo on his chookie for a bit of practice, and returned 1/2 hour later, sore and absolutely drenched after he and his steed had parted company near the water s edge. Cooked up a great feed, enjoyed a coupla drinks, and talked and talked with an energy that Ron would ve been proud of! A bloody shame he wasn t there to outdo us, but I m sure he would ve been watching on, and have nodded his approval. the world shortly... We also celebrated JE s 50th birthday while we were out there, complete with cake-cutting ceremony, an amazing rendition of the traditional song and all! Got me beat how a 50-yo can afford to be retired, but he and Merilyn seem to be enjoying it. Heading off on a 3-month cruise around Goodonyer Kerrie, for getting out and enjoying the day with some pretty special company. You re one gutsy girl, and I hope your Ulysses family can help you through the tough times! Words by Bob, pix by Kerrie & Bob

6 COFFEE CLUB RIDE At the invitation of Trevor I went for a ride with the Coffee Club just after we returned. Seven bikes and their proud owners turned up at Paul s Corner for a 9:30 departure a bigger turn-up than what we usually get for our normal mid-week rides! Great to see the two Allans, and young Rosco (Ross Lister, for those born too late!). Then we saw this young'un roll in to the bowsers on a café racer, and thought I haven't seen that bike before?. Shed his silver helmet (which Al Lamb said he HAD recognised), and who should emerge from under it but young Barry Smith! I think the last time I saw Baz was when he received his 80-year Ulysses badge at a branch meeting sometime last decade, after giving up his trusty old Beemer following a near-collision with Trevor and consequent drop (Trevor s fault), on our secret Paul Allan Snowy Mountains ride a coupla years back. During that weekend I was amazed at his stamina (it s a pretty lengthy ride, from here to Cooma in one go!), and I was saddened that he d taken the decision to hang up his riding boots after a lifetime in the saddle. Anyway, over he came to join us on his new Honda CB500F, which he apparently purchased while I was away. Goodonyer Baz, and sorry I didn't get a fresh young picture of you on the day! Trevor suggested we follow me, but being a newcomer to the area I left it to him, and away we went, to surprise, surprise Cooranbong for coffee! Admittedly, we did take a more devious route to the norm, and arrived down there in time for morning tea. That is, after Big Al waited idling on the Leadwing for 1/4 hour for a car he reckoned was going to leave it s spot in the carpark (5 metres closer to the café than us) but didn t! In the meantime we d all ventured in and ordered our fuel and the shrunken bladder brigade had also seen to their needs. Had a great catch-up yarn with our coffees, then followed Trevor to his son s place near Toukley to deliver his weekly hand-out. Then the dilemma began! No-one present had a clue how to get from there back to the Wangi RSL for lunch! Big Al slapped it into his $2,000 GPS, and away we went with him in the lead. Dunno what happened along the way, but we got to the club without Al!? Good Chinese tucker as usual, for a mere $10, and another healthy yarn, then followed Trev via another devious route to our respective stables. I d clocked a mere 274 Kms for the day, but the camaraderie was great! Perused the Membership database when I got home to check on birth dates. It showed we had two Octogenarians with us on the day, and despite my and Steve s youthful numbers (he s still under 60), the average age for the day was 72.8 years. Bloody good stuff, and if I took us two young uns out of the equation, the average for the other five was 76.3 years! Goodonyer fellas, it gladdens the heart to see you carrying on the Ulysses tradition! Words & pix by Bob

7 Well, the Lucas are back after 3 months of trekking through Turkey, cruising the European rivers, and scorching around the British Isles in our little Audi. Returned totally broke and buggered, but what an awesome adventure just wish I could remember some of it Many thanks to Jack for picking up the barrow while I was away, and good to see he hasn t lost his old knack of flair and truthfulness :) And a great report by Evie on their epic ride to Alice for the AGM. Sounded like you had a blast! COMMISERATIONS KERRIE Marilyn and I were so sad to hear of Ron Skinner succumbing to the stinking Big C while we were in Wiltshire, and we join with all members in extending our love and condolences to Kerrie and her family. As Jack said so fittingly, a nice bloke, and we ll all miss his endless banter :) AGM s REVISITED Lots of changes while we were away, with both the National and Branch AGM s being held. Thanks so much Merilyn for your last coupla terms as our Bob s Blurb President, and for your tireless efforts over the years since our Branch was formed. Thanks also to John Beddoe who did such a tremendous job as Webmaster and Ride Coordinator/Leader for so long. We ll miss the roadworks, JB I ve been informed that Kerrie is now to take the helm following elected Preso Paul s withdrawal, and assure her we will all do our very best to support her at all levels. Congratulations to Anne for taking on the Secretary/ Treasurer position once again, and to Brian for stepping into JB s old job as Webmaster. And apparently young Brett has stepped into the role of Ride Liaison Officer. Goodonyer Brett! And of course to Jackie for taking a Committee position. It should be a good year for our branch:) MEET & GREET 2015 It will be a big year for the Social Committee, with our Branch hosting the Meet & Greet next May 16/17, and we ve already been busy making preliminary arrangements with accommodation and catering venues. CONDOLENCES TO WANDA If God is watching us, the least we can do is to be entertaining... We extend our sympathy to Wanda and her family on the passing of her dear Mum last month. SCOTTIE S A DAD! On a brighter note, our mechanic extraordinaire Scottie from Port Performance welcomed his first child Evie Kathleen into the world on 27th July. Congratulations and best wishes to Scott and Ashleigh. MEMBERSHIP FEES UP You have probably received your notice that NatCom have decided to increase membership fees to $100 for 3 years. Don t whinge too much, it s still very good value at less than a cuppa a month! HEALTHWISE It s pleasing to hear that Big Al, Brian Mac and Peter Coates have all received good results from their treatments. We do hope you all continue to improve. DAVE S DONE IT! Yep, our young mate Dave Couch has finally pulled the pin, officially! Goodonyer Dave, and best wishes for a long and happy retirement. And very best wishes to his wife Marilyn, who I ve just been informed copped pretty horrific injuries as a result of one of his tantrums. Good luck with the surgery, and we sure hope they get you back together ASAP, Marilyn.

8 LUCAS ARE BACK Well, I guess no-one would have missed us anyway, but we ve not long returned from an amazing adventure travelling through Turkey, then cruising up the beautiful Danube (and no, it s not blue!), Main and Rhine rivers to the Netherlands, then across the creek to England, Ireland and Scotland. A really beaut trip, very full-on, but an incredible amount of learning for us both. I think the thing that impressed us most was the astounding age of these places, walking through ruins over 2,000 years old, when Oz doesn t have a lot of buildings over 200 years old! I won t bore you with all of the 3,500 photos I brought back, but will endeavour to present snippets of our journey over the next few issues. I ll start in Turkey where we got to see amazing old buildings (loads of mosques) and quaint dwellings and habits in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Cannukale, Gallipoli, and lots of places in between. Always time for a smoke in Singapore even on the bike! Couldn t believe the amount of public smoking over there and in Europe, even in restaurants! Next stop, Turkey. Enjoying lunch and a cold Efes beer in Anadolu Kavagi overlooking the Bosphorus Strait I was pleased with my morning s catch from the Bosphorus. Avago at the size of the flounder over there... obviously a teenager, judging by the acne! Didn t get to learn the Turkish language while there, but I think this conveys a pretty serious message And I think there s a pretty serious message here too, at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul Not a problem to charge your phone or camera in the Ankara shops Just insert your Lira and you re away Plumber s crack was well demonstrated while following one of our travelling companions in the Underground City, Kaymakli As an old Sparky I wasn t too impressed with their wiring standards, and within easy reach of the children!

9 Demonstrating my skills and creativeness on the potter s wheel in Avanos. Even the potter was impressed! Our faithful steeds in Urgup, Cappadocia. Bit different to the old Honda! Teaching the belly dancer the moves in Uchisar, although I couldn t get the breast shimmy happening Notice in our accommodation s ensuite in Pamukkale Dunno why she threw her hands up? Some of the local steeds. All cc, with names like Lifan... Enjoying a beer in the swinging chairs near the Sultanhani Caravanserai. Note, no rear legs on chair, so you can lean back as far as you like... and Ramzey Ulysses gathering at the local Paul s Corner Enjoying an Efes (after the Tuborg) overlooking the Aegean Sea at Kasudasi. Both pretty good drops! Yes, it did cost me a Turkish rug while we were over there and if it doesn t fly, watch out! Friendly public toilets in Ephesus Skid lids aren t compulsory over there either

10 Seems to be pure fiction about the hanging of our coloured friends. Looks like the black and white are pretty much the same after all... Another Ulysses gathering. Cards are a big favourite over there DUR means STOP over there, but only if you feel like it, that is. A bit like their pedestrian crossings, as we discovered! Highway Patrol is pretty savage in Turkey too. Even our trusty driver Mustaffa received a booking And this is where we all started. The magical location of Troy (Helen of), and Odysseus (Ulysses), and their son Telemachus ask Brett to explain it all Beautiful Gallipoli at last, where our brave young soldiers landed in April 1915, and tried to breach the cliffs while being fired upon by the Turks above Our fabulous guide Perihan, succumbing to the pressures of her clients one in particular, who shall remain nameless And here we got off our asses and proceeded on dromedaries instead. A bit lumpy though! In the car/tram lane on the main street of Istanbul, yet still relaxed enough to be using his cellphone! There s that Turkish language again. Got me beat what it means We go to Bucharest in the next issue...

11 THE THREE STOOGES HIT STOCKTON BEACH What could be more ridiculous, high winds, rough seas, record rainfall, lets go for a ride on the beach. Originally there was to be 4 heroic souls braving the elements but Johnboy quickly arranged a doctors appointment so that left 3. Bob, Dave & yours truly. We met at Lavis Lane, Bob had got wet on the way but the Tanilba boys were dry, off we headed, letting the tyres down before hitting the sand. This was Bobs first go on the beach while Dave & I far from being experts had at least done it before, so it was to be expected that the first off was his & so it was. Not a speccy high speed bonebreaking off, just a sand plough into the dune. The sand was firm & due to the recent inclement weather not too rutted from the fourbies so good progress was made. We dropped into Tin City to have a sticky, no one around. We had a bit of fun sliding, trying hard to mono, playing in the waves. It s a good place to practice, at least the landing is soft if you exceed your skill level. Bob decided that all he really needed to get the front wheel up was MORE throttle, yes, while that worked the idea is you cover the rear brake just in case you over do it, forgot to read that part eh Bob. Again no damage, we were doing so well we got to the Birubi end a bit early so decided to check out Rocky Point. Dave s turn to come off although I wasn t there so no photos (unless Bob got one). On the way back it was my turn, although the bike didn t go over, the only thing that stopped it was Dave arriving in time to hold it up, I was stuck. Dave & I got back to the gravel, no Bob, waited, waited, headed back. Bob stuck under the bike, unable to get it off himself, a bit of claret running down the nose but still grinning. I rushed to his aid (after taking a couple of photos). He later admitted to another off while I was turning around. So the score for the day, Bob 4, Dave 1, Jack 1. Not a bad effort, now if only Bob would stop watching the Crusty Demon videos before he comes we d be right. Met Brian & Johnboy for lunch at the tavern, a couple of beers a quick debrief, the perfect ending to a fun day. Jack

12 PROPOSED RIDES & EVENTS Port Stephens Branch Rides:- Sep 07 John Evans ride to Maitland markets after organised breakfast. Oct John Beddoe s Big Ride Oct Jack s combined ride for the dirt cowboys and the road-riding whimps Oct Bargoed House Game Fishing Competition Nov Snowy Ride (to be confirmed) Nov 16 Dec 07 Jennifer's ride to Sabor in the Hunter Toy Run Mar AGM, Wodonga For further information about rides, refer to website:- Upcoming Events:- Sept 13 Greta Rural Fire Brigade Sept 28 Dec 13 Jan 26 Feb 15 All Italian Day at Tomago House (mmm, food and Vespas!) $10 entry Branch Christmas Party Australia Day Extravaganza (to be confirmed) John Evans' Newcastle Big Day Out May Port Stephens Meet & Greet NOTE Brett is still chasing ride suggestions for 2014:- August 24 or 31, and September :- January and February, plus March 01 or 15, April 05 or 19, May 03, and June 07 or 21. If you ve not made a contribution, please give him your ideas for a ride on any of these dates.

13 THE LONG RIDE (for Prostate Cancer) 2014 From: David MacLeod Sent: Wednesday, 5 March :14 AM Subject: The long Ride. Hi, Please help us raise as much money as we can by going to the website and help fight the cause of Prostate Cancer. By donating just a couple of... gold coins, helps us enormously, and the more donations we get the more work can be done to get equipment and research done for this deadly disease. Please put your hand in you pocket and pull out the loose change you have, and for the cost of a cup of coffee, we can fight the cause of Prostate Cancer and every cent helps. Please donate, as we appreciate all the help we can get. Thank you for your support, David MacLeod. Help THE LONG RIDE 2014 For The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia make a difference everydayhero.com Please show your support by giving through THE LONG RIDE 2014 For The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's Supporter page and... John, Can you pass this onto all the Ulysses Club Members for me please. It is The Long Ride and it s for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. We are riding from Sydney to Uluru in September All members are welcome to come for a Long Ride Click the website and follow the links. Best wishes to all, David MacLeod. Thanks David and take it from one who knows, this is a worthy cause, for a grossly under-estimated disease! A blonde chick gets a job as a physical education teacher of 16 year olds. She notices a boy at the end of the field standing alone, while all the other kids are running around having fun, kicking a football. She takes pity on him and decides to speak to him. 'You ok?' she asks. 'Yes,' he replies. 'You can go and play with the other kids, you know,' she says. 'It's best I stay here,' he says. 'Why's that, sweetie?' asks the blonde. The boy looks at her incredulously and says: "Because I'm the f*#king goal keeper!!!

14 FOR SALE (Peter) These people support us.. Do the right thing and support them! John Beddoe financial services & advice Ph Jack Johnstone security system installation & service Ph , mobile Dennis Mahoney leatherwork Ph Doreen Easthope seamstress Ph Jacqueline Scocco Champagne Colours Shop 12, Austral Street Shopping Centre NELSON BAY Ph % off all hair services to Ulysses members and their guests. Always service with a smile. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE (within the Branch) John Beddoe Anne Crowley John Evans Laraine Howes John McGrath Paul Mulvay 150a Salamander Way Salamander Bay merilynevans@ex .com.au 10% off for all Ulyssians! and Kim s the boss Yep, Scottie & Karl