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| Brisbane I was right when I said in the last Riding On that the Queensland Odyssey at Hervey Bay would be a success. In fact it was a resounding success and a credit to all who took part in organising it. At the Saturday night dinner at the Odyssey, it was decided on a vote of those present to move the Odyssey to the Sunshine Coast next year, and accordingly made lots of enquiries in the Sunshine Coast area trying to find a suitable venue, with not a lot of success. Whilst one venue had plenty of accommodation (although a tad expensive), it didn't have the function rooms to seat up to 400 people for dinner. Another venue had great function rooms which could have catered for our dinner, but very little accommodation available. Our Branch committee then decided to enquire with Kondari Resort at Hervey Bay and voted on returning to Hervey Bay for a third year. At our monthly meeting of members, the general consensus was that, 'if somethin' ain't broke, don't fix it', and it was carried on a show of hands to return to Hervey Bay. Accordingly, the Kondari Resort has been totally reserved for the 1998 Ulysses Queensland Odyssey, June Queens Birthday long weekend, from Friday night through to Sunday night inclusive. Rates have been held at 1997 corporate rates for us, $65 per double room per night plus $15 per night per extra person. There are 100 rooms available and bookings are with the Kondari Reservations Department on 071 289 702, or toll free 1800 072 131. Mention that you are from the Ulysses Club otherwise you won't be able to book a room for that weekend. A deposit of $50 per booking is required payable by either cash, cheque or credit card. As well as the Kondori, there is ample accommodation nearby at caravan parks and motels, and further advice will follow in December Riding On. If you have any enquiries about next year's Odyssey, please don't fail to contact our Odyssey Coordinators Dorelle (Dell) Williamson on 07 38140094, or Peter Goodsir on 07 32898355. As a Branch, we look forward to seeing as many Ulyssians as can make the journey up to Hervey Bay next June. Plans are already under way for many of us to travel to Bunbury next year, and hopefully next March should see a large number of green and white number plated motorcycles wandering across the Nullarbor and around the south west corner of Western Australia. There seems to be an increase in ownership of trailers and camping equipment both in our Branch and the Gold Coast, with several members purchasing a variety of makes of trailer and testing their capabilities on camping weekends and rallies leading up to the big one next March. Our oldest active member (and AGM Oldest Attending Member winner for the past couple of years) John 'Mr. Mutt' Shepard had an incident recently when he decided to obtain a kangaroo skin fur seat cover by running the blighter down with his trusty Zephyr. Unfortunately, Mr. Mutt and his trusty bike & trailer came off a bit worse for wear, with John being admitted to hospital for a short stay. But like the trouper he is, and I'm sure that many Ulyssians, Australia wide, know him, John was out of hospital, up and active again, with insurance paying for the repairs to bike & trailer, and making plans to be the longest travelled member at Bunbury, as well as the oldest attending. Mr. Mutt will be 3 months off 84 when he makes his fifth bike trip across the Nullarbor next year. Until next time, Stay Upright. Rick Bedford Lockyer
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| Cairns July in Cairns even has the locals believing that they truly live in God's own country. Today is brilliant sunshine, clear blue skies and a max of 25 degrees. Today in Melbourne the max is 12 and showers. Now you know why those northern Ulysses boys and girls have big smiles on their faces. The Cairns Branch held its AGM in June and the retiring committee was re-elected unopposed, with the exception of Bruce Magill who chose to successfully nominate another tableland member, Graham Cook, of Atherton. A complete list of the committee is provided in Duncan Walker's news. Cairns Branch continues to grow, now approaching 140 in our area, and the social side has taken a big leap forward thanks to the efforts of Sue Thompson, our social director, blending her talents with ride coordinator, Jack Watson. Their last effort was a delightful overnight at Yungaburra, where fellow member Wayne Leonard and his wife, the Ravishing Rhonda, did us all proud with a fantastic BBQ, boating, and ski rides at their lake side house. We continue to average around 20 bikes on our scheduled rides, with 27 on our last one to The Homestead Tavern, Julatten, owned and operated by fellow Branch member Greg Skinner, who puts on a friendly face for us along with a bonza lunch. Seven members of the Cairns Branch have already indicated firm commitment to ride to Bunbury and have booked accommodation. More may succumb, but at this point of time the long distance larrikins from the far north can't wait to be on the road again. John Golightly President, Cairns Branch As El Presidente said, The Cairns Branch AGM was held in June at the RSL on the Esplanade in Cairns. The event was combined with a lunch provided by the RSL caterers. Only about 40 members attended but their families swelled the number to about 70. We chose the venue for privacy and it seemed to work very well ( or at least I haven't received any complaints as yet). The elected committee is; John Golightly - president, Duncan Walker - secretary/treasurer, Jack Watson - ride coordinator, Sue Thompson - social director, Graham Cook - tableland member. We say farewell to Noel Akers, who has been with us from the commencement of the Group and then the Branch and who has rendered valuable assistance along with fellow tablelander, Bruce Magill. We thank them for their input and their generosity in helping the struggling, fledgling committee gain its feet, even when they both had commitments to other organisations and those committees. We welcome Graham Cook, who obviously has the support of the tablelanders as he was nominated by them and elected unopposed. He has already had some input into our committee despite a debilitating operation on his back. With the dedicated bunch we have, we look forward to another successful year, as demonstrated by the ride schedule following. Duncan Walker Secretary/treasurer, Cairns Branch The Cairns Branch meets at 9am on the date specified unless otherwise mentioned in the schedule under the covered parking area at Dunwoodys, Sheridan St., North Cairns. Ride fee $2 per motorcycle. Enquiries, John Golightly 070557762AH, 070512218BH. Ride coordinator Jack watson 070557474 AH, 070505323 BH. Oct. 12 Early start time - Dep. Dunwoodys 8.30am for Atherton Station v Gillies, Yungaburra. Train dep's Atherton for Herberton at 10.30, arrives 1200, lunch at Herberton Pub. tarin dep's Herberton 1315, arrives Atherton 1445. Fare $22 return, secure parking near Atherton station. Alt. ride to Herberton v Gum Tree Hill, Wandelca. Return v Kuranda, last stop Smithfield. Oct. 25 Townsville o/nght, Drag Racing, dep. Dunwoodys Sat. morning 9am. Accom at Townsville - Coolabah Motel, 75 Bowen Road 077 792084. Ride cpt Fred Brosnan 922198 after 1900. Oct. 26 Ride to Kurramine Beach, dep. Dunwoodys 0900. Ride v Mirriwinni, Eubenangee Swamp, Daradgee. Meet returning crew form Townsville at Kurramine pub for lunch. Rteurn Hwy 1 last stop McDonalds Woree. Nov. 9 Homestead Tavern, Julatten, cnr Rex Hwy & Mt. Lewis Rd. Dep. Dunwoodys 0900, to Port Douglas Market, on to Tavern v Rex Hwy. Return v Mt. Molloy, Mareeba & Kuranda, last stop Smithfield. Nov. 23 Palmer River Run. Dep. Dunwoodys 0900, v Kuranda, return Rex Hwy, last stop Palm Cove. Nov. 7 Cow Bay, dep. Dunwoodys 0900 v Mossman Park, Daintree Ferry. last stop Palm Cove. Dec. 13 Christmas Party - Malanda Hotel, dep. Dunwoodys 1400 v Gillies. Dec. 14 Ride to Ravenshoe from pub, return v Milla Milla, Palmerston, Mirriwinni, last stop McDonalds Woree. Dec. 21 Mena Crk Run, dep. Dunwoodys 0900 v Gillies, Malanda, Palmerston Hwy. Lunch at Mena Crk Hotel, return v Mirriwinni, last stop McDonalds Woree. |