Pictures by John Beddoe and Ken Grant. Reports by Ken Grant.

Dolphin Cruise on Port Stephens at Dusk on Friday

All one can say is, what a fabulous weekend. A great time had by all. It went off without a glitch, due mainly to the expert minute-by-minute planning by ‘Leo’, with the help of other committee members. They should all take their hat off and take a bow. In total we had 260 registrations for the weekend.

The weekend started on Friday afternoon with a Dolphin Cruise aboard the cruise boat Sea’scape. Over 70 went on the cruise. Everyone tells me it was an excellent experience, sighting the first dolphin just after leaving the jetty. Out near the heads of the harbour came across another 30-40 dolphins that were frolicking in the water. Some thought they were acting DISGRACEFULLY (MATING). They were later treated to one of the best sunsets you will ever see. Then on the way back they saw all the lights being illuminated around Shoal Bay. Unfortunately the last 15 minutes or so it started to rain. The Ulyssian’s from out west started doing a rain dance, as they haven’t seen rain for so long.

Some of the early Meet & Greet arrivals on the upper deck and the boat

The beautiful views ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Shoal Bay

There were many dolphins but they would not keep still for a photo

Crows Nest Room Friday Night

Then it was up to the ‘Crows Nest Room’ at Nelson Bay Bowling Club for a dinner. The karaoke machine was fired up and we even got the barmaid, Kelly, into the act. Wow, what a voice. Then it was onto the main performance. Elvis had arrived via Anna Bay. There was a bit of a glitch with the karaoke machine, however that was sorted out and on with the show. Man, he had everyone rocking and rolling, especially the ladies, one of whom removed her bra and tied it around his head. Even the blokes were up dancing on the chairs. Unfortunately, due to the rain, some people missed the dinner and this show. What a way to start the weekend.

Kelly singing           Elvis                       Leo/Elvis with her bra

Carol/Jackie with Elvis    Boys dancing on the chairs    

The Meet & Greet Bike Display on Saturday

On Saturday morning the bikes started rolling in about 9.30 am with male riders. When asked as where the ladies were, we got the expected response – “gone shopping”. All the Marshall’s with their vest on did a terrific job parking the bikes. Thanks Eric Brooks and his merry band of men and woman. After some fellowship the band ‘Klassik Blak’ entertained us while people had their lunch etc.

Bikes on display at the marina

        <-- This photo by John Evans

The hard working girls

Enjoying the food, drink and scenery

A local's Rat Bike

The Local Guided Ride on Saturday

At 2.00pm more than thirty bikes (about 50 people) turned up for a guided Scenic Tour of our beautiful area. Again thanks must go to Rider leaders Brian McCallum and Dennis Mahony for a great job. Also the Marshall’s who helped them out. I’m told they didn’t get back until about 4.00pm. Again, this tour also went like clockwork.

Headlands from the Pilot Station

Looking out from the Gan Gan lookout with Ride Leader Brian

The Dinner on Saturday Night

Then it was home to scrub up for the big night out. The dinner dance was not supposed to start until 6.00pm. However the hall was three quarters full by about 5.20pm. You know Ulyssians, they were ready to party.

What a night. Our wives (and Dennis) did a great job decorating the Hall. There was ample high quality food available. Plenty of the amber liquid was consumed by most and we danced the night away to the great music of ‘Klassik Blak’. Many compliments were received from those attending the night.

A lady Ulyssian from out West won the major prize in our 300-club raffle. The prize was two nights for two at the Dolphin Motel, Nelson Bay. It also included a dinner for two at Nelson Bay Bowling Club. Dozens of other great prizes were also won.

Before . . . . . . . . . . and After

Ronda & Ken          Leo & Ron              "Rocker" Phil           Ian & Elvis

Phil & Judy             The Flags               Klassik Blak           Brett & Jennifer

Some of the Dubbo Boys' ---------------->    The Dancers          Budge with his redhead

Breakfast on Sunday

On Sunday morning from 7am onwards, almost two hundred Ulyssians enjoyed a great breakfast at the Game Fishing Club, overlooking the beach and pristine waters of Shoal Bay. Again, nothing but compliments on the whole weekend. I did receive a constructive comment from one lady. She said, “Next year, could you please reverse the nights. Could you put the Saturday night dinner dance on Friday night and the Friday night on the Saturday night so I am not suffering from a hangover on the back of the bike, all the way home.

Mark's Memorial Ride - Sunday 22nd May

Well, after breakfast at the Game Fishing Club, Shoal Bay, we headed off at 9.35am on our Memorial Ride to Thunderbolt’s Way, Gloucester.

When we left, there must have been at least 30 bikes, with Brett & Jennifer Davis as tail-end Charlie. At Salt Ash we met up a number of other bikes and cars. It was then onto Raymond Terrace, up the Highway to the Buckets Way through to Gloucester, where we stopped for fuel etc. Elvis went to also get some fuel, but his bike would not start. You guessed it - it’s a Harley. He had a flat battery. Apparently one of the wires had come off the alternator. However, I am not surprised, given the state of sections of that awful road to Gloucester.

When we arrived at Gloucester a lot of the bikes had dropped off. Obviously they had other commitments. Anyhow 30 people (including Mark’s wife Maria, other family members and friends) then headed up Thunderbolt’s Way to the location that Mark lost his life (12 months ago tomorrow). 

We gathered around the cross on the side of the road. Then Mark’s best mate, Jack Johnstone, spoke beautifully about Mark, his lovely family and his love of riding. Jack then finished with the ‘Biker’s Prayer’.

Maria and family placed a plaque on the Cross and also planted a tree to commemorate the anniversary of Mark’s untimely death.

We all then returned to the Roundabout Inn Hotel, Gloucester for a nice lunch with Mark’s family. Then it was a nice leisurely trip back home. 

I would like to thank Brian and Jackie McCallum for acting as Rider Leaders. Brett and Jennifer Davis for being ‘tail-end Charlie’ and helping Elvis out. Also Neville James and Dave Couch for acting Marshalls on the Thunderbolts Way.

    Jack speaking and reading Bikers Prayer

    Group

    Maria places plaque on cross

Close up of cross    Planting tree            Tree/Cross