Port Stephens Ulysses Branch

Transcription

1 January 2016 Port Stephens Ulysses Branch President: Kerrie Skinner Ph , Mob Secretary: Anne Crowley Mob Treasurer: Jackie McCallum Ph , Mob Committee: Brian McCallum (Webmaster), Brett Davis, Bob Lucas Ride Liaison Officer: Brett Davis Ph , Mob All sensible correspondence to: PO Box 356, Salamander Bay 2317 Newsletter correspondence to: Bob , Member of the Month President s Report It is with sadness that I inform you that one of our former members, Ronda Grant, passed away this week. I don t have any details, but I would like to say that Ronda and I had many laughs over the years that she was a part of Port Stephens Ulysses. I remember the first weekend away that Ron and I had with the club to Mudgee, she was standing in the rain asking me if it would be safe. I crossed my fingers behind my back (as all good catholic girls do when they are telling a lie) and told her it was a piece of cake. I had no idea, as it was my first bike trip, but it made her feel better that day. Happy New Year everyone! Well, we have all now celebrated another Christmas, welcomed the dawn of a new year, some of us will have struggled to do the jeans up after the indulgence of Christmas pudding and the odd sherbet to celebrate the festive season. Well done I say, and I hope you are all ready to enjoy life and whatever it throws at us for the next twelve months. You wouldn t think life would throw up many firsts at my age, but I have just had to purchase my first car by myself (under the watchful eye of my son Matt) at the age of 56. I thought it would be fun! Let s just say it was an experience. After being told by one young salesman that he was going to make some magic while working out what I would get for my trade in, the end result of that exercise was about as much magic as a first date at McDonalds! I soon learnt the words bullsh#%, and I didn t come down in the last shower of rain, and lets cut to the chase, I don t have all day, are still needed to get the point across to car salesmen. So I am now the proud owner of a new Pajero, with more buttons than a space shuttle! I think it even makes coffee, if I could only find that button!! I should have learnt to ride a bike. The first meeting of the year is this Friday Night, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone and hearing of all the good ideas you have for the club this year. Don t forget John McGrath s ride on the 7 th February. I will be away sunning myself in Forster, so I hope you all enjoy the day. Your President, Kerrie

2 MINUTES OF SOCIAL MEETING 27 NOVEMBER 2015 (at Soldier s Pt Bowling Club) Meeting Opened: 7.45 pm Attendance: 27 Apologies: Anne Crowley, Bob & Marilyn Lucas, Terry & Terri Irish. Kerrie welcomed everyone to the meeting including visitor Phil, a friend of Francine Inglis. Phil rides a Yamaha Cruiser. President s Report: Kerrie discussed the Coalfields BBQ Day held at Hunter Valley Gardens Sunday 8 th November. Some rode, and some in cars due to the bad weather. Unfortunately it was a very cold day, but fantastic and enjoyed by all that were there. The spread that Coalfields branch put on for us was unbelievable and very delicious. Kerrie had to borrow a cardigan from Francine, which goes to show how unusually cold it was for summer. It was announced at the meeting that someone left their raffle prize (a bottle of wine) behind at the last meeting. Nevertheless, we found the owner tonight. Lucky we are honest, lol. Secretary s Report: Correspondence In: from Mark Hope requesting information on joining the Ulysses Club. Anne provided him with the relevant information and an invitation to our meeting. Correspondence Out: Nil Treasurer s Report: General Account: $ Meet & Greet Account: $ The reason for our General Account being a lower amount to last report is because we have made a withdrawal of $ which will be used to purchase meat, salads and other items towards the Christmas Party next month, and any other reimbursements for the future. Business arising from previous minutes: Kerrie spoke again about our Xmas Party, Saturday 12th December. Starting from 11am. She reminded everyone that it will be at Lemon Tree Passage waterfront Park this year. The finer details of food, BBQ s, tables, etc were discussed and organised between our members. Kerrie will check with Col and Anne re purchase of meat. After a discussion it was decided to make the BBQ free, as it used to be years ago. Kerrie offered anyone making salads, desserts etc that they will get a refund for the items they buy if they present a receipt. Brett will be Santa again this year. $10 present optional pre-wrapped ready for appropriate bags, Male, Female or Unisex. Jack offered to go to park with BBQ s on trailer early morning of the party to reserve a spot large enough, with some shelter, for our crowd. General Business: Kerrie reminded everyone that The Ulysses AGM will be held in Tasmania this time. 26 Feb to mid March for those that may be interested in going.

3 Kerrie had suggested previously to do a Bowling Day in Spring which didn t go ahead, but would like to try to reinstate it again possibly mid March, when things settle down from the AGM. Kerrie mentioned the Riding for the Disabilities Day at Grahamstown Dam, and it was decided by everyone present that we wouldn t continue with this event anymore, due to insurance etc. Toy Run ride day leaving from Stockton 10am was also discussed. The arrangements made for those that wanted to go would meet at Pauls Corner 9am sharp, and ride to Stockton together. Bob Croft, from Newcastle Lower Hunter branch, offered our branch to join them again for an Australia Day BBQ Cricket day. It will be held at Stockton Park next to the Pool as usual. Bob said he would send the details to Brian McCallum to pass on via our members list. The Grey Gum Café ride Sunday 15 th November 2015 that Bob Lucas had offered to do unfortunately was postponed into next year sometime, due to the bad unsafe weather conditions. Ride Suggestions: Kerrie still looking for more ride suggestions for next year s proposed Ride List, which appears in our monthly newsletter. Please bring more ideas at our January meeting. John McGrath volunteered to do a Breakfast Ride Sunday 7 th February, 2016 to Hollydene Vineyards. He will be leaving at 8.30am sharp from BP Beresfield, at the end of the freeway. The details are to be sent to Brian for out. Raffle Winners: 1 st Prize: Christmas hamper to Doreen Easthope. 2 nd Prize: Red Wine to the McGraths. 3 rd Prize: White Wine to Brian McCallum. Fines: Dave Couch, Jennifer and Brett Davis, Jack Johnstone and John West. Raffle and Fines money: $95.75 in total. Kerrie closed the meeting with a big Thankyou to everyone for their support, and wishing all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. She reminded everyone that our next meeting will be Friday, 29 th January 2016 at our usual meeting place at Soldiers Point Bowling Club. Meeting Closed: 8.30 pm. OLD TRADITION Trevor s Pommie mate fronts up to Australia House in London to get a visa to visit family over here. Bloke behind the counter asks "do you have a criminal record?" thanks Trev He sighs and replies is that STILL a requirement?"

4 (MISSING) SECRETARY ANNE S HOLIDAY REPORT How to start 2016 do a report. Poor Bob, he ll probably faint. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. Well, to start with, thanks to all the ladies and gentlemen who helped put together a great Christmas lunch at Lemon Tree Passage. I still have visions of a puffy Santa Clause floating around. Paul and I did a little travelling over Christmas/New Year. Paul strapped both our bikes into the van and we headed to Alexandra in Victoria, arriving in time for Christmas lunch with my sister and her family. Later that evening it started to rain. The locals were happy, but not Paul as he had planned to ride next morning. We stayed another day and then the rain stopped. We rode up Mt Jamieson from near Thornton and ended up at Mansfield about four hours later. I managed really well through all the curves and up and down hills, and then as we stopped for fuel at Mansfield, my bike fell slightly to the right. I was still standing, but stuck! A few men came to my rescue and we put the bike back in place. Meanwhile Paul was filling his bike with fuel and didn t see me until someone standing near him got his attention. I only bumped my leg, no damage to the bike. Then, managed to do exactly the same thing when we got back to Alexandra. After that I ended up with a very colourful bruise, and the bike is still ok. As the Great Ocean Road was closed, we drove via Geelong and then onto Adelaide where we stayed a couple of nights at Glenelg. Caught up with a few Ulysses friends in Glenelg. We then headed back through western Victoria, across to Castlemaine for a night, then Echuca and the Riverina, to West Wyalong, Forbes and home. All up about 4,400.00Kms. It was great to catch up with some family along the way. As I did a lot of the driving, I usually spotted a fabric shop as we drove into a town, and I would send Paul off for coffee so I could do a little retail therapy. I also snapped a local council worker at Tailem Bend doing the lawns. There were also a few odd coloured sheep (concrete ones) and a huge gorilla cemented into in the local park.

5 Got a phone call from a Member of the Mt Lindsay branch, who with a few friends was passing through our area on their way to the Great Ocean Road. They wanted to buy some of our patches so I arranged to catch up with them. Hopefully Bob could print my photo showing Grizzly Bear (Wayne), Bling (Rod) Talbot, Digit (Ken) Burley and Flash (Tracie) Priestley. A very big thanks to Jackie for doing the minutes for the November meeting. Thanks heaps, I like your style. Looking forward to our January meeting. Cheers, Anne BLONDES, AGAIN An Alabama pastor said to his congregation, "Someone in this congregation has spread a rumour that I belong to the Ku Klux Klan. This is a horrible lie and one which a Christian community cannot tolerate. I am embarrassed and do not intend to accept this. Now, I want the party who said this to stand and ask forgiveness from God and this Christian family." No one moved. The preacher continued, "Do you have the nerve to face me and admit this is a falsehood? Remember, you will be forgiven and in your heart you will feel glory. Now stand and confess your transgression." Again, all was quiet. Then, slowly, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde with a body that would stop a runaway train, rose from the third pew. Her head was bowed and her voice quavered as she spoke; "Reverend there has been a terrible misunderstanding. I never said you were a member of the Ku Klux Klan. I simply told a couple of my friends that you were a wizard under the sheets." The preacher fell to his knees, his wife fainted, and the congregation roared. Life is short, smile while you still have teeth. thanks to Billy for that Keys! Be on your guard... Australian police have just issued a warning about keys. They warn that just 5 keys can open 87% of cars and 99% of houses in Australia. The keys you need to be on the lookout for are: Dar-keys, Pak-keys, Bi-keys, Jun-keys and Key-Wees (look out for Brian and Malu).

6 Coffee at the Crossing It was overcast and gloomy when we left Oporto s at 8am to ride to Paul's Corner at Bob's Farm to meet up with Pt Stephens and return to Kearsley for coffee. yelled Buzz, rubbing it in. With the occasional drizzle, all was good until we reached Millers Forest, when I decided to pull up to don the wets. Well, unfortunately I didn't have any. It's a gotcha We made Paul's Corner with a little more rain then found my wets in another hidey hole on my bike. That's another gotcha Buzz giggled. Yeah ok, I'm done! (Al Zeimer was my pillion). Leaving to take the long way to Kearsley we had a total of 10 bikes, with 13 diehards who don't mind a bit of water for a good ride. Williamtown, Hexham, Minmi, Wallsend, Ryhope, Freemans, Sandy Creek and Kitchener before arriving at The Crossing at Kearsley for Coffee. It was a great ride under the conditions, with Zorro rounding up as Tail End Charlie. Thank you all for a great day Bob, Buzz, David, David, David, Jack, John, Ken, Midge, Marilyn, Sue and Zorro. Dangus words by Billy, pix by Billy & Bob

7 I hope the festive season has been good to all of you. We certainly had an enjoyable time with our young uns in the Blue Mountains, and have been fully engaged ever since even did Billy s morning tea ride to Kearsley Crossing in the rain recently. VALE RONDA GRANT It is with sadness that I pass on yesterday s news from Laraine, advising Ronda passed away last Saturday. The longer serving members of our branch would remember little Ronda and her happy antics well, and we extend our sympathy to Troy, Kim and family members. There is to be a memorial service at Fingal Bay Surf Club next Wednesday at RIDING ON TAKEOVER Started reading the latest issue of Riding On recently, only to discover that our Jack and his Bob s Blurb good mate Alan O Brien (Gold Coast branch) have taken over the editorial rights of the magazine! A really great write-up by Jack on his impressive Boom Mustang STI Thunderbird trike test, followed by an interesting article by Al as he travels Europe with wife Caroline on the back of the Beemer he bought in Holland. We look forward to updates from Al in future issues. HAPPY BIRTHDAYS January: Little Evie (Big Six-Oh!), Glenys Ingall (Big Six-Oh!) Garry Ennis, Lindsay Cole, Wanda, and Ross Lister. February: Peter Coates, Francine, John Kerr, Billy Ingall. GREY GUM CAFE Haven t organised a second take of the Grey Gum Café flag raising ceremony yet, as it s been far too busy for us since Christmas. And now the AGM in Tassie is taking would-be riders away from us... and we head off in a fortnight and won t be back till mid-april. Will aim for the ride in late April if we re home in time, although 24 th is ANZAC Day long weekend. Else it ll be cold and wet, yet again. CONDOLENCES, ELAINE I received a note from Trish just before the new year to advise that Elaine Ennis mother had passed away in England. Elaine had been over there for some months, and we offer our sympathy to her and her family. GET WELL, JB Just heard from Trish that our ex ride leader extraordinaire John has recently undergone the knife, and is now in recuperation mode. I didn t know anything prior to this, and we wish John all the best for a speedy recovery to his former healthy self. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty...

8 PROPOSED RIDES & EVENTS Port Stephens Branch Rides:-??? - Ride to Gunnedah??? - Breakfast ride to Medowie Macadamia Farm (Kerrie)??? - Wollombi Pub, Chichester Dam area then onto East Gresford Pub for lunch Apr 2016 Oct Ride to Grey Gum Café to fly our flag (Bob - 2 nd attempt) - Long weekend ride to the Apple Orchard near Scone (Kerrie) For further information about rides, refer to website:- NOTE Brett is always open to ride suggestions:- If you ve not made a contribution recently, please give him your ideas for a ride, and a preferred date. Upcoming Events:- Pre 14 Feb Twilight barefoot bowls (Kerrie)??? Tahlee Bible College morning tea (Merilyn)??? Hunter/Raymond Terrace cruise (Merilyn)

9 ADVENTURE BIKE FOR SALE! 2006 Kawasaki KLE 500 Adventure bike 24,868 Kms Rego d till 24 th Jan 2016 Touring screen, Renthal alloy bars, enclosed hand-guards, heated grips, 12 Volt outlet Racetech fork springs, comfort seat, centre stand, chain roller guide, disc lock helmet, Ventura bag $4, Phone Peter Kime on (Newcastle) GRATITUDE Australian banks are offering the gift of a free pencil-sharpener in gratitude for the 36 billion dollar profit they extracted from their customers last year. It has been designed to reflect the friendly and intimate relationship that these institutions enjoy with the Australian public. With the festive season upon us again I would like to share a personal and life changing experience with my family and friends - involving drinking and driving. As you know, some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a "social session" with friends. Two days before Christmas we were at Lemo Club for an evening with Trevor, Jack and Dave, and had more than a few beers, followed by some bottles of excellent wine with Sue. Although feeling OK I still had the sense to know that I was probably slightly over the limit. That's when I did something that I normally would not do - I actually took a cab! Sure enough, on the way home there was a police roadblock, but since I was in a cab they waved me past and I arrived home safely without incident. This was a real surprise, as I had never driven a cab before, I don't know where I got it, and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it! So if you want to borrow it, just give me a call. Big Al.

10 FOR SALE Richo s Honda ST1300 is up for sale. About an 05 model, I think. Asked him for photos last month but nothing yet, so had to scrape up an old one of mine Bloody good tourer (can t kill em!) in great condition, and deep blue in colour. Seeing he won t talk to me, call the man at home on , or his mobile on , or at the Golf Club on (the most likely place). 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 Laraine Howes John McGrath Paul Mulvay Yep, Scottie & Karl 150a Salamander Way Salamander Bay merilynevans@ex .com.au % off for all Ulyssians! and Kim s the boss