Maryborough Rally Report by John Cox

Robbie Griffiths had planned the routes for the four days of the Rally. Friday night’s shakedown run was to Talbot where we parked the bikes opposite the Court House Hotel and then returned via the highway.

Starting from the hockey field on Saturday, with perfect sunny weather, we rode through Avoca for a short stop in Amphitheatre. Onward, we rode via Chute and Raglan to Beaufort for morning tea. The stay was extended as we were unable to visit the Lake Goldsmith Steam Society due to concerns with Covid -19 restrictions. The return ride was through Waterloo, Lexton and Talbot.

Leaving the historic Post Office forecourt on Sunday, we headed, east to Carisbrook and turned north to Maldon for morning tea. The Indian Motorcycle Club of Australia arrived there a few minutes after us. With many bikes on display, locals and tourists enjoyed seeing the bikes. President Mick Guilfoyle had arranged for a press photographer to do an article on our Rally in the Castlemaine Mail newspaper. A road through Fogarty’s Gap to a stop in Harcourt was not only picturesque but also provided a few thrills with uphill and downhill reminiscent of a ‘big dipper’. A short run into the lunch stop at Castlemaine saw us parked in the middle of town near a Sunday Market. The ride back to Maryborough was via Newstead.

Sunday night’s presentation dinner was held at the fantastic Historic Railway Restaurant. With 60 people present we had some folks tabled on the platform and others in the main room. I had the pleasure of MC’ing and Angela Chaplin made presentations to contributors, personalities and the ‘fun’ awards and President Mick did the welcoming and presentation of the major trophies:

• Phil Irving Trophy - Riders’ Choice for Best Bike: Lindsay James 35 Indian Chief
• Oldest Bike: Andrew Jeffrey 24 AJS
• Best Vintage: Stephen Glover 39 BSA
• Best Post Vintage: Matthew Gellert 37 Ariel 500
• Mark Byrnes Trophy - Best Outfit: Dianne, Eli & Natalie McNamara 30 BSA 500 O/F
• Simon Street Trophy - Best Veteran: No eligible bikes. However, best veteran awarded to John Cox.

Angela Chaplin made presentations to:

• Spirit of the Rally: Neville Hunter
• Our marshals: Trish and Daryl Stayches, Doug Cowey and Robbie Griffiths.
• Back Up: Noel Knappstein (who has carried out this task efficiently for some 16 years) and Mary Ann King.

Up until now the weather had been perfect – sunshine and not too hot. Monday morning had a few showers which shortened the dozen rider’s ride to Eddington and return from there.

Just one of the highlights was having visitors rallying with us. Stephen Glover came down from Wagga Wagga with an immaculate BSA and a group from East Gippsland also joined us.