CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS
ASSOCIATION OF QLD. INC.

NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2004

PO BOX 1231 Gladstone Qld 4680
E-mail aourourke@nrggos.com.au

COMMITTEE

COLIN M.       07 5491 7043

NSW PO BOX 320, BOMADERRY, 2541

VIC. PO BOX 140, CARLTON STH, 3053

SA PO BOX 736, MODBURY 5092  (08 8285 3817)

TAS. 61 BLACKWOOD PDE, BURNIE, 7305

WA PO BOX 30, MT HAWTHORN, 6915  (08 9454 7726)

I have just learned that Geoff’s health hasn’t been the best for a while, and as a result he has not been able to produce his usual word of wisdom for this issue.

Of course he needs our prayer for his healing by our merciful and loving Lord




BERT HANDING TO PETER E. OF SCRIPTURE UNION A CHEQUE TOWARD HIGH SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY

A Progress Report from the Secretary

I'm not quite sure what a Secretary's Report is supposed to contain, so I'll just bore you stupid with facts & figures. Membership is still growing steadily. Just about every Committee meeting sees 2 or 3 new members join up. We now have 80 members (not counting Family Membership as 2 members), which represents a substantial growth from last year. Unfortunately, that figure includes at least 20 members who are not currently financial. This of course places a burden on Association funds with postage etc still costing money even though the funds are not coming in as they should be. I realize that some people are in a difficult situation financially, so I'm not in a hurry to stop sending newsletters to those who are unfinancial, but it would be good if those who are able would renew their subscription as soon as possible. The bill for Public Liability Insurance has increased by about 30%, which saw us caught short of funds to pay the premium. We have received a very generous donation from one of the businesses in Gladstone which will allow us to remain solvent for at least another year. Some fund-raising will be needed in the near future to prevent this situation arising again.

Please remember to pray for the Committee. We feel very strongly the responsibility to keep the big picture in front of us, and not to concentrate on the Central Qld area alone. The Committee meets the 4th Sunday of the month (usually) at Marmour Roadhouse, which is about 1/2 way between Rockhampton and Gladstone. This year we have been privileged to have Debbie sit in on the Committee meetings as was resolved at the last AGM. She works hard for CMA in Rockhampton and supports the Committee in every way she can.

Alan.

In about 1930, a Communist leader named Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject – atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery of words at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smouldering ashes of men’s faith. “Are there any questions?” Bukharin asked. A solitary man rose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was silent as the man surveyed them, fIrst to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting “CHRIST IS RISEN!” The vast assembly rose as one and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche “HE IS RISEN INDEED!”

As this Easter approaches, you and I may have an opportunity to testify to the reality of Christ’s resurrection. Or we may be called upon to support a fellow Christian in his defence of our faith. I pray that God’s grace will give us all the courage to stand up for Jesus despite what it may cost us. In some countries, believers are imprisoned for declaring their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here in Australia some might laugh at us or ridicule us – that’s about the limit of our suffering. So why don’t more people hear about Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection?

Did you hear about the little boy who returned home after his first Sunday School class? His mother asked “Who was your teacher?” and the little boy answered “I don’t remember her name, but she must have been Jesus’ grandma because she didn’t talk about anyone else.”

May our conversation also reflect love for Jesus. Let’s be sure that, as Christian motorcyclists, our words and behaviour show others that we are in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Determine now in prayer to spread the good news at every opportunity; and have a great Easter 2004!

Bert Bunney CHAPLAIN

( Reminds me of when I was riding in Brisbane in ‘95—’97 and wrote off two front wheels in potholes while riding at night.—Ed.)

Swamp cartoon used with permission. See more at www.swamp.com.au

I recently returned from a self-drive tour of parts of the South Island of New Zealand and was very impressed with the motorcyclists and roads I saw. I experienced many stabs of envy as pairs or small groups of motorbikes went past on the well-constructed roads.

Christchurch area was pretty flat, but when we headed west through the Lewis Pass, and then down the Coast to Glacier country, the road became a feast of tight corners, hills and rugged scenery. I was most impressed by the excellent camber of nearly all of the corners, perfect to get that lean going. My envy grew when we stopped at Fox Glacier and I had a chat to two local bikers on their historic Norton and Triumph who had decided to go riding for a few days. They were all kitted out in full leathers, with woollen jumpers underneath. Despite the sunshine, the wind on the road was cold. They were camping, and both bikes were fully fitted with panniers and satchels. By this time I was starting to turn a pale shade of green to match the forest.

At Milford Sound, we drove through the mountain, literally. A tunnel over a kilometre long, and pitch black. Wow. At the cafe while we waited for our cruise, a Gold Wing Rider arrived, he too, a local, on-tour for a few days. He had toured around Australia, and had plenty of stories to tell about both Oz and NZ. His greatest concern on NZ roads was all the dead possums and rabbits, which could be a problem if you were cornering at high speed. I need to tell you that the brush-tailed possums in NZ are about twice the size of the same possums here. That shade of green did fade a bit, although his lovely bike was a delight to behold.

During our cruise we got to talking to a rider from Belgium, who had hired a road/trail bike to tour about the place. He was enjoying the roads, and scenery, although he did say that hiring a bike was quite expensive, at $62 (NZ) per day. On return to Christchurch past Mt Cook we saw a few more riders, all wearing full winter jackets and pants. The roads by this time, once again quite straight, through smaller, undulating hills.

All in all, I would say that the West Coast of NZ had fabulous road construction for hard cornering, and spectacular scenery to be viewed through a visor. The speed limit is 100km, although in a car this wasn’t possible, and I suspect even on a bike you’d be hard pressed. The traffic was very patient, and despite the huge numbers of campervans around the place, they didn’t cause many problems. The local bike riders were friendly, and camping is allowed in some stunningly beautiful locations, many with toilet facilities available.

The number of dead animals may cause some problems, and I suspect winter in NZ brings with it a whole set of other issues. Having said that, the next time I go, I’ll definitely be on two wheels!

Shalom, Heather S. (Brisbane)

I don't know why we always go to Bajool on the Australia Day weekend. Not that there's anything wrong with that weekend, but it's always HOT!!!!! For the last few years the little Community Church there has been without power connected, so fans etc are out of the question. There are moves afoot to change that, though, but a bit of prayer is needed. At least it wasn't raining. We've had a series of storms the last few days and as a result the humidity felt like about 375%. 

We had about 6 bikes and a trike from Gladstone, and another 7 bikes from Rocky and Mt Morgan plus a couple of cars, so the Church was just about packed. Beth led the worship and again we seconded Liz and her synthesizer for music, and Charlie delivered the message after Bert led Communion. Everyone was of the opinion that the Service went very well, and we hope and pray that the locals were blessed by our attendance. I think they must have been, because they invited us to come a bit more often than once a year. Despite the Service being organised in a bit of a rush, all the separate bits fitted together perfectly, which is always encouraging for those involved.

After one of the famous "morning teas" at Bajool, we headed back to Marmour for lunch and the monthly Committee meeting.

As we were leaving, Charlie informed me that his bike wouldn't start. It had some but not all the symptoms of a flat battery, so we decided it might be a starter problem & gave him a push. Everything went OK until the Honda's favourite spot north of Ambrose where it decided to have a little rest on the side of the road. Nowhere near any shade, I might add. It turned out that the alternator cable connector had melted, not unusual or that model, and the battery had indeed gone flat. We did some emergency surgery on the side of the road in about 50 degree heat, gave the bike a push to get it started, and no more worries. The rest of the trip home was uneventful, but rather HOT!!!! We reckon we'll go to Bajool again when it cools down a bit.

Alan

…International Man of Mystery!!!

The name’s Eugarde, Brian Eugarde. Possibly, some of you have wondered what had happened to me. More probably, most of you didn’t wonder at all!! But as you’re now so riveted to my tale, I’ll tell you anyway. As some may already know, Brian has been going to the place where all good children (Or at least those of us who have no minds of their own!!!) go…UNIVERSITY!!! Yes, Virginia, there is (still, at least!!) something called higher education!! In a previous episode, my trusty (?) Tenere khakked (Are we allowed to use that word in a good Christian publication?) itself (Crank seizure, or a broken heart from too much abuse; I’m still determining which!!) and now I’ve turned traitor…I’ve become a member of the tin-top brigade!!! Actually I don’t exactly have a car so much as a Tardis…small on the outside, but as big as a bus on the inside. Luxuriously appointed, piped CD music gently lilting through the air, the wafting of a soft air-conditioned zephyr to cool my fevered brow, the fragrant aroma of coffee to tantalise my senses…and cup holders!!! Yes, of course…it’s an Echo!!! (You in the back row!! Stop laughing!!) Now, don’t you wish you had one too?? As those of you who are learned in such things might surmise, the combination of these two dastardly effects, both the seductive pleasures of the Echo (Look, I’ve told you already, stop laughing!!) and the unmitigated and rather heathen torture of study, have skittled my ability to get involved in recent C.M.A. activities; on the one hand Uni takes away my ability to ever get to do anything or being able to afford to repair the bike (Yes, Rod, you were right!!) and, on the other hand, not having a bike rather limits my options for madly careering around mountain bends with my bottom hanging off the seat (What a nauseating thought!! And besides, have you ever tried hanging yourself out the window of a car; it’s not anywhere near as effective or fun, and you stand a very good chance of getting arrested for it too!!!) So, here I am; sad, broke, with no time on my hands, and no bike (at least until I rectify the first three problems!!!). Oh, and I forgot to tell you just what I’m studying (No, and it’s not how to tie my own shoe-laces; that’s Ph.D material.). I’m going to be a Teacher!!! So, lock up your daughters ! Actually, I’m quite looking forward to moulding those putty-like minds. I rather think that, at heart, I’ve got a little bit of the ole’ megalomaniac dictator in me; you know, persuade the enfeebled masses to blindly do as I tell them to (reminds me of a bike ride I led you guys on once, heh, heh, heh…ah, memories!!), take over the world, that sort of thing (I think that I get the malady from Dogbert in “Dilbert”; you know “Dilbert”? Oh, never mind…)…anyway, getting back to the world of sanity and real things…So, I’m studying teaching; specifically Special Ed. I had a great time doing some Teacher Aide work at Special Schools over the last year or two and, believe me, they’ve got a top bunch of kids to deal with; if you’re ever going to find in this sad old world anyone who even comes close to not having original sin in them (except for the big J, of course!!), it’ll be intellectually impaired kids. They’ve got no agenda, no guile, and no real meanness in them, and they’re a riot to work with!!! Well, anyway, I’m starting back at Uni in only a couple of weeks time (How horrifying!!!), and I’m now one-fourth a teacher (My Maths lecturer, George Booker, would be so proud of me. He hates people calling it one quarter!!!)!!! So I’m with the big boys (and girls!!!) now.Well, that’s all of the blurb (rubbish, garbage, silly stuff…whatever your personal preference of title) I have for now, so I’ll say

 --- Cheery-bye!!    Brian.

FOR SALE OR SWAP Honda FT500 twin-port single ‘83 model(FT= flat tracker) Nearly ready for road or race. New tyres, engine pipes, comes with road muffler (original) and Harley Sportster turbo (straight through) for race. (Sounds great, mate) Over all bike in good usable condition, little required for R.W.C. or track. $2800 cash, or swap for upright twin / 4-cyl / V twin / V4 road bike in similar condition. Talk to me—Aussie—0438 897 693.

FOR SALE Two DriRider jackets:-

1 Belstaff-type black waxed cotton

1 Black reinforced nylon

$60.00 each O.N.O.

Brian Eugarde 07 3203 3606

TOY RIDE REPORT Sunday 7^TH December 2003

As I awoke early Sunday morning the sky look very grey after all the rain we had on the Sunshine Coast Friday and Saturday. By the time I had breakfast there was more blue sky than grey. After a prayer I rode off towards Caloundra where the toy run was to start. I arrived at the start about 9:15. Where would I find Manfred and Michael? Among some 400 bikes? So I said “G’day” to a few people. Ah! There’s Manfred, then just as we shook hands Michael came along. Unfortunately Michael would not be riding with us to day some “carby “ trouble with his BMW. Well by 9:45; after all the announcements by Peter W. of the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, we were off on the Toy Run. As Santa led the way, some 400 plus bikes followed behind, with a Police escort through the town. Manfred and I lost sight of each other on the way. The ride up to Mooloolaba was good ride via Maroochydore and Cotton Tree. Parking at Mooloolaba was at a premium if you could find a space to park, yes just behind that BMW oh that’s Manfred. We walked up to put our toys in the back of the Ute where Santa was giving out lollypops; so I got a couple for my little girls of course. Manfred had to go; for he had family commitments at home, so I checked out a few bikes out while I was waiting for my wife Angela and our two girls to have a picnic lunch together. Meanwhile, after lunch, the sky was starting to get very grey, and people on bikes were starting to leave, I decided to do the same. Thank you Lord for getting me home safe and dry!

Round trip for the day 78kms for me. Keep riding for the Son, Peter M.

RIDE REPORT FOR Saturday 29/11/2003

After a very busy morning at church followed by what should have been a short meeting (?), it was time for a quick lunch with the family. So by 2:00pm I was on my way to meet up with Bill at the BP at Morayfield [Bill went off track to look at aK100 BMW at Ningi]. I got there just before Bill, he arrived one minute later at 2:45pm, so we stretched our legs a little, then after a prayer we rode off together towards Brisbane. We rode down the Gateway Arterial road, then over the Storey Bridge, to meet the guys from Brisbane at McDonalds at Coorparoo. Oliver, Chris, Richard and Hanley were there waiting for us. After introductions and handshakes all round, a bit of a chat, we rode off up to Mt Gravatt Lookout where we could see the city of Brisbane and Moreton Bay. Then out to Mt Cotton, Carbrook and some other places that I don’t know where I was! But finally we finished up by the waterfront at Manly Wynnum for tea. “Fish and Chips.” Smells good to me. I thanked the Lord for our food and the safe ride. By this time it was getting dark. We fellowshipped together for a while, talked about our plans for the New Year; soon it was 7:15 PM - time to go home. So with that we said our farewells and we all rode off together back to familiar roads that I knew, the Gateway Bridge just ahead. Bill and I stopped at McDonalds on the way back home for a milkshake. I arrived back home at 9:20pm; once again I thanked the Lord for a safe ride home. Round trip for me was - 333KLMS.

Keep Riding for the Son,

As I awoke to a very hot and humid Saturday morning, a motor bike ride was just what I needed to keep cool. The BP service station was busy with a lot of people about and the “Driver Reviver” was also very busy with cups of tea and coffee for holidaymakers heading north. Soon Colin arrived in his 4WD, because the BMW would not start today for he had not ridden it for about 8 weeks, therefore the battery was flat; [Not the tyre this time]. Colin and I got talking and soon Leon and Ern cruised in behind each other, so we joined up with them. By 10:20 the heat was a bit unbearable, so with a prayer we were on our way, I led the way with Ern following and Leon, with Colin in his 4WD. We headed towards Maroochydore via Kiel Mountain road into Bli Bli then into Fisherman’s road and on to the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Maroochydore. We were greeted at the door by Les, and many others who made us all feel welcome. As this is my home church I knew much of what was to happen in todays service, the Pastor was a visiting us from our Brisbane HQ, Ps. Murry H., our youth Pastor. Todays program was set around the young people of the church, called Adventurers and Ps. Murry was here to invest them for their work they had done through out the year. Ps. Murry preached on Luke 17 Vs 11-19 “the ten lepers cleansed” he gave a graphic description of leprosy, he wound up his sermon with “W.W.J.D.” asking the young ones “What Would Jesus Do” in some of the places that we put ourselves into. With the services over some introductions to friends and family church members, we stayed for a small fellowship lunch with the Adventurers and their families along with Ps. Murry H. Ern had to leave us so we said farewell to him as he rode away. After our fellowship lunch, we too all went on our own ways home and, I thank the Lord for His special blessing today, Amen.

AUSTRALIA DAY RIDE

With Manfred leading we left BP Forest Glen at 7.15 am for Gympie. We had 13 riders turning up, some of them with their ladies in tow. What a turnout, the weather was beaut, holding out for the rest of the day. Arriving about 8 o’clock at McDonalds at Gympie we met locals Mike and Bev, and Rodney Lewis from Murgon. We had a hearty morning tea and enjoyed to meet his rider friends. Then we set off at 9.00 sharp for Murgon via the South Burnett Region. What a breeze, riding through the lovely countryside along olive groves, vineyards, fruit orchards. Stopped briefly at Boat Mountain lookout to admire the scenery then followed on to Bjelke Peterson Dam where we circled the carpark, doing an impressive display with our group of 20-odd motorcycles.

At Rodney and Jan’s home at Murgon a tasty BBQ was waiting for us. Hungry and thirsty we were of course! Everything was so well prepared, the back part of the house was covered with sunshades. Food and drinks were very reasonably priced – we hope there was some profit for the charity! We all had a jolly good time talking motorbike lingo, making friends and catching up on fellowship. Rodney summoned us for the trip home at 1.00 o’clock, as the weather looked a bit like closing in (It didn’t eventuate) Rod led our Sunshine Coast riders to Blackbutt, detouring past Joh’s place. I headed with Helga to the Bunya Mountains for the night, riding back home next day. (The classic Triumph caused a bit of drama, running out of fuel on the way to Kilcoy and having to be towed the last 5 km) I am sure Rodney and his friends will come to the Sunshine Coast later in the year si we can catch up on our fellowship and make up for the evcellent hospitality we enjoyed. 

Danke schon! Manfred

ROD, PETER & MANFRED OUTSIDE ROD’S HOUSE AT MURGON

THE MOB OUTSIDE ROD’S HOUSE

SOME OF OUR SPONSORS

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BRISBANE GROUP

Contact Oli 07 3806 1936 or TJ 07 3822 9099

12-13-14 June– Annual North Qld meet at Bowen. Big things being planned—details from Aussie.

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LINK TO OUR STATEMENT OF BELIEF

LINK TO MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

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