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How it all began
The Ulysses Club for older motorcyclists, the largest organization of
it's kind in Australia, is now a familiar part of this country's riding
scene. The original suggestion for a club for over 50's motorcyclists
was put forward in a letter by Stephen Dearnley published in the August
1983 issue of Bike Australia.
This drew two significant responses: one from Rob Hall, a reader at
Albion Park NSW, who suggested the present name and motto for the club:
the other from Peter Thoeming, then the editor of Bike Australia who
sketched the logo and offered support from his magazine if Stephen
could get the club off the ground.
This was done at an inaugural meeting in Sydney on 6th December, 1983
when the five people present approved a basic constitution and the
Ulysses Club was duly formed.
From that tenuous beginning it has never looked back and the club now
boasts a large and extensive network of members throughout Australia.
Why Ulysses?
The name comes from a poem of the same title by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
It tells how the great Greek hero Ulysses, now middle-aged and securely
in charge of his kingdom of Ithaca, is getting bored with things around
him and longs to go adventuring again with his shipmates of old. It
describes very well indeed the sort of person who still has enough
spark to go on riding into middle and later years.
Too long to quote here, you will find it in any good poetry anthology
such as the Albatross Book of Verse.
What are its
aims?
* To provide ways in
which older motorcyclists can get together for companionship and mutual
support.
* To show by example
that motorcycling can be an enjoyable and practical activity for riders
of all ages.
* To draw the
attention of public and private institutions to the needs and views of
older riders.
Who can join?
Any lady or gentleman who is over the age of 40, and who holds a
current motorcycle licence, or who is a regular partner of such a
person, and over 40, is eligible to join. Until you reach the grand old
age of 50, you will be a "junior" member, but with full membership
rights and privileges. It's just that you might have to help some of
the "seniors" off their machines sometime!
There is a joining fee of $30, and a mandatory 3 year membership,
currently at $90, giving a total joining fee of $120. ( as at
01 Sep 2010 )
Click
Here to download the Membership Form
What does it
do?
It publishes a quarterly newsletter, Riding On, which contains
information about forthcoming events, provides a forum for members'
news and views and carries articles on topics of interest to members of
the club.
The club has grown to over 120 branches spread throughout Australia,
and continues to grow. Those branches arrange rides and social
functions for the club members in their location. By joining the club,
a member can choose to attend any branch, branch ride or function of
their choice.
Each year, club members from all around Australia, as well as some from
overseas, travel to the designated location for the Annual General
Meeting, an event that has grown from a campover, meeting and meal of
the early days, to a major event spanning over a week, and
incorporating involvement by the major motorcycle manufacturers and
suppliers putting on trade displays and test rides of the latest
machinery, a Grand Parade through the town or city, several nights of
various entertainment, Friday and Saturday night social events, a
church service and of course the official meetings and ceremonies.
Throughout the year, members raise the club banner at rallies and
events around the country as a focal point where members and their
friends can join in good companionship. Our "Old Man" logo, which has
been preserved from it's original hand drawn form as our registered
trademark, is recognizable throughout the country and club members wear
it with pride.
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The
picture shows an illustration for the Nuremberg Chronicle. It depicts
an episode from the Odyssey (Book 10). On their journey home after the
Trojan War, Ulysses and his companions came upon the island of the
sorceress, Circe. With a magic potion, she transformed the men into
swine; however Ulysses, having been forewarned by Mercury and having
taken an antidote, was able to resist her magic. |
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