BMWMCQ JOURNAL DECEMBER 2024

Committee

President - Cindy Bennett

Ph: 0401 610 671

president@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200C

Vice President - Tony Gray Ph: 0409 493 605 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200GS (The Grey Ghost)

R60/6

Secretary- Geoff Hodge

Ph: 0413 180 101

secretary@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200RS; R75/5, R51/3

Treasurer - Darryl Gowlett Ph: 0438 083 996 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au R80GS; K100RS4V; K1300R

Events - Ben Nazzari

Ph: 0448 594 833

events@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200 RT, R1200GS

Editor - Duncan Bennett Ph: 0458 293 569 editor@bmwmcq.org.au

R1250GS, Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Records- Greg Gaffney Ph: 0411424 219 records@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200RT

Tools/Service - Chris Bramwell

Ph: 0427 480 811

tools@bmwmcq.org.au

K1200GT

Regalia - Mario Grossi Ph: 0422 133 131 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200RT

Dealer Liaison - Don Grimes

Ph: 0411 601 372

R1200GS; K1300R

Sub-Committee Roles

Clubs Australia - Paul Hughes

Training Representative - Julian Davis

Club Details

This Issue - December 2024

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On The Cover

Duncan Bennett Editor’s Report

December can be a bit hit and miss, but still a big month in the motored cyclist’s calendar. In fact, the other 11 months in the Gregorian Calendar, named after our very own Records Officer according to an early edition of Encyclopaedia Brittanica, are also big months in the motored cyclist’s life.

Our November was large, off we went to the Compass Expeditions reunion in Batemans Bay. We hired bikes out of Queanbeyan, with my choice of ride the KTM 890 Adventure R because I’d never thrown a leg over one. Booked and paid. Then Cindy decided to check on the luggage options for the bikes. What? Your husband has booked an 890 Adventure? What are you talking about? We don’t have that in Queanbeyan, it is only available from our Wodonga branch. I’m not sure how the system allowed that to happen. I’m talking about the booking and not how we somehow got a branch in Wodonga by the way. Okay, we have a 2020 Africa Twin available praise Allah/Jesus. Done. Cindy was on a Honda CB (there’s a happy coincidence on the initials) 500X. Our son Tim nailed a T7 World Raid. Talk about diversity.

I rode the Africa Twin a lot, and the T7 a little. The Africa Twin was very “planted”, at one point on the reunion dirt ride we came down a fairly cut-up track, around a corner, and with no expectation or warning into a deep creek crossing with a sandy exit. Son Tim was right in front of me, and it was that deep he nearly drowned the T7, and I had to weave around him in the sand. The Africa Twin did it with ease, and yet the electronics are so complicated I had it nowhere near optimised. Who knew that motorcycles can have adjustable engine braking adjustment? The fuel capacity was frankly awful on the one I rode, though I think they’ve fixed this with the more recent models. Given that I nearly ran out riding 200km from Canberra to Bungendore and then to just south of Batemans Bay at Moruya, it is a big issue for the under-appreciated Aussie tourer.

I think it is important as a motorcyclist to always test the other marque’s waters, sure we love BMW and our R1250GS is just righteous (read the Christmas party story if you want to see how good these things are under competent leadership), but how does the new F900GS stack up against the Triumph Tiger 900, the T7, the Honda Africa Twin, the CF Moto 850, the KTM 890 Adventure R etc etc? Better keep getting out there and giving them a go.

Thanks very much to those members who gave feedback and asked questions on the Constitution update including the special resolution we will need to vote on at next year’s AGM. It is still sitting down the back of this Journal, just begging to be read on Christmas Day after a few sparkling Burgundys and a serve of soporific turkey with bread sauce and gravy.

Have a great Christmas. Cheers Duncan

Submissions for the next Journal close 25th-ish January

Cindy Bennett President’s Report

Ialways find November to be a pretty hectic month – ticking items off the to-do list and rushing about planning social events for the silly season, also trying to get some rides in before the weather becomes too challenging and the roads too busy with holiday-makers!

We had some great events this month, even though the rain (or threat thereof) was a factor that did keep me from the mid-week ride. The Christmas Party was the BIG one, and 51 members and guests enjoyed the night of fun and socialising at the Hervey Bay Boat Club.

It is always a rewarding experience when an event comes together in such a successful fashion and thanks to our hardworking Committee for their assistance in making this possible along with our MC on the night Paul Hughes. Every year BMW Clubs Australia provide us with funding for prizes for our major event of the year. We use this for Morgan & Wacker gift vouchers which Tony Ward generously rounds up to an even $500. The lucky winners were drawn on the night - 2 vouchers being for attendee members and the rest for the entire 292 members. Congratulations to:

Michael Ahlberg; Ian Forsyth; Shaun Ryan; Barbara Lindbergs; Shane Saunders.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers a very merry and safe festive season filled with family, fun and riding!

Take care and ride safe, Cindy.

Christmas Party fun!

BMWMCQ Club Events for

DECEMBER 2024

Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm

14

JANUARY 2025

Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm **NOTE: A WEEK LATER**

Sun 12 January 8:00am Jolly’s Lookout Breakfast BYO breakfast to Jolly’s Lookout at Mt Nebo and enjoy a ride to lunch afterwards

Sat 25 to Sun 26 January 9:00am Aussie Day Pie Ride Meet Banjo’s Bakery Redcliffe, overnighting Goomeri (see ad in this journal)

UPCOMING EVENTS TO PUT IN YOUR CALENDAR

Ben Nazzari Events Officer’s Report

I’M BACK!!!

Firstly, I would like to thank Paul for taking over for me whilst I have been absent. Now I’m back I will endeavor to keep up the good work.

I was keeping an eye on proceedings on FB and it looked like everyone was enjoying the rides and gatherings which I really appreciated and was glad to see you all having a great time.

Well one month seems to roll into another so fast I cannot believe it’s nearly 2025 and 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride for myself. I managed to make it to the service day which I thoroughly enjoy catching up in a relaxed setting with other members joking around and fixing bikes it really is a great day for everyone. Then the next ride was the Mid-Week Ride up to the Gus Beutel Lookout off Esk/Hampton Rd lead by Gary Bennett which was a great ride, the weather was kind to Geoff Hodge and I up until we hit the top of Glorious but the short ride home in the drizzle was refreshing and I loved every minute of it, I don’t know what it is but there just seems to something therapeutic about riding in the rain.

Then we had the coffee morning @ little tree bake and brewhouse in Samford in which there was more than 20 members turn up which I was thrilled to bits to see so many out in the monsoon rain lol, not to mention those that rode I tell you that is commitment in my book. Richard & Wendy De-Groot travelled all the way down from the sunny coast and it was great to see everyone laughing and chatting and just doing what club members do enjoy the time we spend together.

The following Sat I joined about 20 other members on the Smart Rider course @ Brookside and I was pleased with the whole day, first half in the classroom and the second out on the course with a 50km ride to finish off.

December is fast approaching and soon it will be 2025. I currently have Jan to March events penciled in my diary and will post them asap. I will be looking for lead riders for the Sunday led rides and anyone whom would like to lead a mid-week ride would be greatly appreciated.

David Harvey and myself have done the first Recce ride for the 2025 Frigid Digit and I can gladly say that this one will be catered for all with camping and motel rooms as well as rooms at the local where we will be having dinner, so yes, I’m really thrilled about this event and cannot wait to share that weekend with as many of you that I can get to come along.

On a different subject I have sold my R1200RT and purchased Julian Davis’s R1200GSA, look for my story further into the journal.

Until next year 2025 please be safe and have a wonderful Xmas and New Year also remember to keep it upright!

Regards Ben.

Tony Gray Vice President’s Report

Well it’s that time of year with school breakups, Black Friday Sales everywhere and Christmas just around the corner. Jane and I have been out & about a bit helping the family in different ways and I cannot see where this Cost of Living Crisis is, judging by the activities around shops, restaurants & pubs. Many people are clearly doing it tough but there are a lot oblivious to that reality. Lend a hand if you are able and join in the spirit of giving. On a positive front expect less traffic congestion for the next couple of months while the kids are home annoying their parents.

I enjoyed a Ride to Zero Road Safety course that was well attended by many club members. The course was conducted and capably led by our very own Julian Davis. Well done Julian. If you haven’t been able to attend one of these courses then keep an ear to the ground as there may be some more opportunities in the New Year. Clearly there are many people who would benefit from the course as the single vehicle crash rate continues to climb on popular bike roads like Mt G. I have learned something every time I have attended a road safety course and this time was no different. There is a lot of reinforcement of the way I am riding which is reassuring but it is also good to have a refresher on road rules particularly related to lane filtering. The rules to not apply equally once you cross into NSW so if you are one who does lane filter then check the rules before heading south. I also learned that it is illegal in QLD to activate your hazard light while moving! I certainly didn’t know that.

This weekend some 50 members will come together to celebrate the Festive season and draw a very busy club year to a close (almost) at the Christmas Party in Hervey Bay. For those not able to make it along to this happy occasion both Jane and I wish you and your families a very safe and happy festive and in the words of Dave Allen, may your God go with you.

The Ride to Zero theory component

Geoff Hodge Secretary’s Report

BMWMCQ General Meeting Minutes – 7 November 2024 Venue: Geebung RSL

Meeting Opened: 7:33 pm

Apologies: Paul Hughes, Charlie Brown, Glenn Garaty, Darryl Gowlett, Julian Davis.

Minutes of Previous General Meeting: Moved Acceptance: Gary Bennett

Seconded: Mario Grossi

Number of Attendees: 43

New Members (Name & MC): Joe Dutton R1250GSA, Alex Mitchell F800ST

Visitors: Nil

Returning Members: Nil

Treasurer Report: Nil

Editor Report:

Tools Report:

Regalia Report:

Apologised for lateness of November Journal. Looking for Christmas photos, any stories much appreciated.

Thanks to Les Fitzpatrick for donating an investigation camera. Next Service Day planning for February 2025. GS911 update by Bill Lutyen.

Chris assembling a list of recommended tyres and spares providers, email him.

Items on display at meeting. BMWMCCWA liked our regalia donations for their 50th. 100 Year book and posters available.

Records Report: 8 new members joined October/November, now at 289 financial members

Events Report: 48 currently for Christmas party. Room has been inspected. 15th Nov is cut-off date for bookings.

Secretary Report: Only BMW NSW magazine received during the month.

Dealer Liaison Report: R1300GS sales doing OK. R1250GSA’s and R18’s on sale. Other R1250 variants available, such as RT, RS, GSA Ultimate. Black Friday sales promotions.

Clubs Australia Report: Apology

Vice Presidents Report: Meeting Sunday 10th at Blacksoil for monthly club ride. Forest Hill for morning tea, Leyburn lunch. Brought a pile of good magazines to meeting.

President Report: Constitution update and special resolution is posted in the Journal. Role descriptions for committee positions are being developed.

Buy, Swap & Sell: Nil.

General Business: Chris Lancaster has “true flat” datum plates available for flat surface datum requirements. Bill Luyten was able to recode tyre pressures to PSI on a 10 year old bike using the GS911.

Frank Hills described the TS Safari – 5 days, 86 attended, 1,838km.

Closed: 20:18 hours, next meeting 5 December 2024

Do you have a copy of our 100th Anniversary of Motorrad Publication yet? Stock is dwindling so get in quick. Makes a great Christmas gift!

The cost is a very reasonable $10 per copy, and these can also be posted to members who are not able to attend a meeting or event to pick one up.

So don’t delay, get yours today - for postage details please email: president@bmwmcq.org.au

Chris Bramwell Tools Officer’s Report

Balancer

Phone: 0427480811

Email: spares@bmwmcq.org.au

Service Day

The Service Day was held on the 9th November 2024 the last for the year. There were 27 members in attendance and raised $85.00 for the RFDS well done members.

I have commenced a database and shortly all members will receive an email with an attachment to the list of who you have dealt with so I will need all members’ help that will include the following. Please include all Australian and overseas contacts.

The club has purchased new torsion bar wrenches for members use and we also have a new thread repair kit.

The GS-911 diagnostic tool is probably the most valuable tool we have in our inventory with the amount of electronics on modern BMW bikes.

To see what the GS-911 functionality has to offer for your bike, check out this website link: https://www.hexgs911.com/function-chart/

Repair Manuals

If any member requires a BMW Service Manual, please contact me to see if I have one in stock that you can burrow.

A list of all Manuals will be listed on our website in the New Year.

Tools for loan

There are special tools available including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools.

Special Tools

• 34mm socket for rotating crankshaft

• LambdaKing Mk II - Air Fuel Ratio Tuning Meter

• Sniff Stick for use with the LambdaKing Mk II

• SynchroKing - Carburetor & Throttle Body

• Clutch alignment shafts (3 sizes)

• Compression gauge (cylinder pressure)

• Steering head bearing puller and seating tool

• Gearbox output flange puller

• GS-911 Wi-Fi Diagnostic tool

• GS-911 3 pin Diagnostic tool (for older bikes)

• Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS) tool

• Enduralast hall sensor tester

• Brake bleeding tool

• Compression tester

Thread repair kit link

https://www.totaltools.com.au/157787-tti-m5m12-thread-repair-kit-131-piece-tttrk131

Supplier List

I have located someone who can respoke rims and also plastic weld as well as spray painting, Casey’s details will be on the list I am compiling. Please add to this list all the contacts you have regarding the maintenance of your bike. Include your recommendations including name, address and contact numbers and any other details of each contact you wish to add. Please include all Australian and overseas contact you have used or know of.

Club Tool Loan:

$50 deposit (refundable) for GS911.

Tools and spares can be picked up or brought along to the next meeting or Club ride.

Darryl Gowlett Treasurer’s Report

G’day

Everyone,

So I did get the front end back on Smeagol on 22/11, just in time for my jaunt to Grafton. The ride was great, with only a tad precipitation around Beaudesert, as I sallied forth to check out the road upgrades/conditions south of Woodenbong.

The Mt Lindsay Highway on the other side of the border is a hoot now, as previously reported, but they’re currently upgrading the section between the Kyogle turnoff and Woodenbong, which previously wasn’t that bad.

From Woodenbong to the Bruxner has been upgraded for about a third of it’s distance, and they’re still working on some sections, but some bits are truly in need of urgent attention.

South of the Bruxner the Clarence Way has been completely sealed to nearly Malabugilmah with less than 4km of dirt in two sections remaining, and south of that it’s all really good seal to Grafton as long as you turn left down the Coaldale Road. This road is truly magic, and this is route to Grafton that I prefer. Both the Pacific Highway and the Summerland Way are only for making time, but this way is only 27km longer from my house, and about 20 minutes.

I highly recommend it. Oh, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Ciao,

Darryl

Regards,

Greg

Greg Gaffney Records Officer’s Report

We had another very enjoyable Christmas Party this year at Hervey Bay Boat Club.

It was also a great opportunity to celebrate Duncan’s 60th birthday before the event and everyone loves to have a beer with Duncan.

Had a great overnight stay at the Ramada Resort Hotel. I drove there and experienced possibly the heaviest rain ever on my way home.

Welcome to New Members:

Alex Mitchell, CARSELDINE, F800ST

Luca Rosati, GEEBUNG, RnineT Racer

Stephanus Barnard, WARWICK, R1200GS Adventure

Christmas Party silence as the buffet had been served!

Grossi

G’day

all,

regalia@bmwmcq.org.au

Thank you once again for your continued support of the club through your purchases of Regalia.

Again it’s been rather busy between the General Meeting, Service Day and Christmas Function with sales still booming. Sadly I have to say that we have now SOLD OUT of Stubby Coolers.

But on a positive note we have a ..... meet the Drink Bottle!

At the low price of $16.50 we only have limited stock available before Christmas so be quick to snap one up at our next General Meeting at the Geebung RSL Thursday 5th December, or you can also reach out via email at regalia@bmwmcq.org.au.

Mario

Regalia Report

Come one, come all to a Meat Pie Ride! On the Australia Day weekend, this ride will celebrate the mince and pastry goodness that is our national dish...

Saturday 25 January 2025

Starting from - Banjo’s Bakery 161 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe. Departing 9:45am, so time for a Banjo’s famous egg & bacon pie first! There is plenty of parking around the back in the council car park.

Lunch at Blackbutt Bakery then heading the scenic way to Goomeri where dinner will be held at Joe’s Grand Hotel Goomeri (where they have a meat pie floater on the menu). Accommodation is available at Joe’s Grand Hotel or Goomeri Motel (book soon).

Sunday morning breakfast at the Goomeri Bakery and then make your own way back to Brisbane or stay an extra night away as the Monday is a public holiday!

Collection

Lady Shirts

Bloke Shirts

Gender Neutral Hats & Bags

Hat

Design

Hat.

Regalia Ordering Methods

Regalia is ordered through: regalia@bmwmcq.org.au or call Mario on: 0422 133 131

Method 1: Bling Your Own Wardrobe

You can get a BMWMCQ logo embroidered on your own shirt (or underwear, no-one but Mario needs to know). Purchase the item, call/email Mario, and drop it off at a General Meeting or contact Mario for the best way of getting the item transferred.

Method 2: Use the Inta Net

Click on the links on the previous page, or if you want something different, go to linked website (link below), and note supplier, item number and size and colour and send details to Mario via email or contact number.

Note: Shirts, vests, and other items have the 2021 (current) logo:

Hats and other items with limited vertical space still have the old logo style:

Method 3: Bang on a Badge

Buy a big or small badge from the Regalia Officer, and iron or glue or sew it on your jacket or shirt:

Please contact your Regalia Officer for more help with options of ordering methods via email regalia@bmwmcq.org.au as Mario is standing by waiting for your call 24/7 on 0422 133 131 as long as he’s not fishing, golfing or sleeping.

IT’S CHRISTMAS

It’s party time, let’s celebrate

Come one come all but don’t be late

Some will ride but if you’ve driven

With so much rain you’ll be forgiven

Dinner & drinks beside the Bay

Christmas finery on display

Friendly banter fills the air

Fun & laughter for all to share

With Christmas & New Year coming fast

Thinking of members present & past

Such a great club is BMWMCQ

Something for everyone, old & new What a great way to finish the year

Partying on with Christmas cheer

To all of those who won’t be there

We’ll drink a festive toast, that’s fair!

CHristmas part Y 2024

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

The 2024 Christmas party was held at The Hervey Bay Boat Club on the 30th November, with 51 attendees from a large geographic spread extending from the far south at Port Macquarie to Cairns.

The weather could best be described as sub-par for motorcycling, with most attendees driving in and telling their story of intending to ride, but the torrential rain of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday caused their Gore-Tex to be put away and the family truckster rolled out instead.

But some members are not put off by such trivia as weather, or surfaces to ride on. Friday night I received a call from our Spain, Portugal, and Morocco riding buddies Ray and William. They were in Mooloolaba. We’ve got an idea. Uh oh I thought. William famously got up at 4am when we were glamping in the Sahara, convinced a staff member to take him back into town, collected his R1300GS hire bike, and with Gareth Samuel filming rode around Dakar-like in the dunes. Ray likewise is rarely a voice of caution when it comes to riding. Sure enough - We are going to ride up Rainbow Beach! Do you want to come? Asking me that is like asking someone who has just come out of the ring after being knocked out by George Foreman whether they’d like to go next door and spar with Muhammad Ali. I told the story from 2012 when our son and I had ridden up Rainbow Beach, resulting in me in Gympie Hospital and our son with a buggered knee standing on the side of the road next to a broken down motorcycle for 6 hours. So no, I wasn’t keen.

Saturday morning, it was towelling down rain at home so good call. Then the Whatsapp messages started coming through with photos - OMG the cold light of day had done nothing to quell Ray and William’s fervour, they were into it.

Some context here, no-one was on the KTM 450 EXC-F used by Toby Price until he swapped to the cars. William was on his R1250GS, and Ray on his R1250GSA. The GS has a kerb weight of 249 kegs, and the GSA 268 kegs. Unfortunately there are no kerbs up on Rainbow Beach, just sand as far as the eye

DECEMBER

2024 22

CHristmas part Y 2024

can see, which isn’t far when you’ve just face-planted. Some confession by William getting onto the beach, was not up on the pegs, just the well-proven method of sit down and paddle through. Then the challenges just piled higher and deeper - they went on just after high tide, so no nice big solid sand zone to ride up on at the maximum speed limit of 80kmh doing power slides. Then more confession by Ray - there were a few low speed offs. Didn’t need to know about any of that, riding big bikes in sand is physical and very very mental. But the GSA is front heavy compared with the GS, so keeping it up on the plane across the sand is difficult and the stuff of legend.

Off at Freshwater Rd, which is a way better option than my old nemesis the Leisha Track. Again a lot of deep sand paddling, both to get off the beach and up the track. But by lunchtime William and Ray were in Rainbow Beach, and not in Gympie Hospital as we’d feared.

Rolling into Hervey Bay for the Christmas party, we were there to greet them and get a few photos. I still wasn’t sure they appreciated what they had achieved, and what they’d shown the big BMW’s can do. Congratulations to Ray and William for a fantastic and inspirational ride.

As to the event, we gathered into the Hervey Bay Boat Club at the appointed hour. The venue was fantastic - we had our own bar, and a fabulous view out the big windows over the marina. The food was buffet and excellent. A few lucky members walked away with prizes from M&W, and it was great night with a lot of laughs catching up with many we haven’t seen in a long time. Only a year until the next one.

CHristmas part Y 2024

Michael Ahlberg was a M&W $100 voucher winner

The Spain, Portugal, and Morocco Team

By Tony Gray, Member #3905

There are more than a few club members who are not just satisfied with the care & maintenance of their Pride & Joy. These people seek out something to challenge their mechanical & engineering skills - the words ‘Barn Find’ can send them into salivating rapture. Sometimes these neglected barn finds can be a rare gem awaiting the right hands to return it to its former glory (and value). Just as often they can turn into your worst nightmare where nights are spent trolling the internet for unobtainable parts and your bank balance diminishes as fast as a drunk on the pokies at the Leagues Club.

Yes I raise my hand as one of these so speak with some degree of experience. Perhaps you can relate to what I am about to confess. The last new bike I purchased was Rex the Kawasaki over 20 years ago. I remain singularly uninterested in the latest offering with a TFT screen bigger than my home TV (TFT = Thin Film Transistors - I had to Google it). But if the conversation turns to someone offering a old clanger that last ran when Bob Hawks was PM then I am immediately interested. This love of things that are old may be an attempt to relive our youth but I have a view that old motorcycles have a character all their own and like us their form is molded by how they have been treated during their working life. Internet forums occasionally carry a plea from someone trying to find a former bike of theirs that was discarded when the mortgage payments or school fees overtook the family budget. A bit like seeking out a childhood sweetheart on social media - disaster likely awaits!

Here are my ground rules - follow if you want to surrender your social life and bank balance to the restoration of an old motorcycle. We are all different but these are my general parameters:

> It is a motorcycle to which I can relate; they were on the market after I got my license in early 1971 so my target group is the 1970s and 1980s.

> It must be in a condition that is salvageable within the bounds of my skill set and budget.

> It has sentimental or historical value to me or someone I know.

I love and admire those who preserve and ride Veteran Motorcycles from the Pre WW1 era but that is not for me.

Pre WWI Veteran (not mine!)

Even pre and post war British bikes can be admired but are unlikely to find a slot in my shed. I was however tempted at a Laidley Swap Meet several years ago when I happened upon a BSA B25 OHV single cylinder in shite condition - an example of my first motorcycle. It was late in the day and the guy was loading his unsold rubbish onto a NSW plated car-trailer - didn’t sell the BSA I gestured? Nah. How much were you chasing - Five! Now at risk of a divorce I reasoned in my head that I could just clean it up and maybe get it running for not a lot of time or money then keep it as a ‘mantle piece’. Would you take 450 I questioned - he almost feinted - I want FIVE GRAND!

Needless to say it went back to NSW on the trailer where it may well still live.

Mounted on a BSA B25 at the IOM

I was lucky to pick up a 1975 XS650 Yamaha from a farm outside Maryborough when my son was living there. I always loved the design of the XS650 - the Japanese Triumph Bonneville as they were dubbed. A couple of my mates had them when I was punting a CB750 Honda and we did a lot of touring so I remember them fondly. Not the only one in the club either as Marty Maher also has an XS650.

Yamaha XS650B

I was again very lucky to pick up my R60/6 that had literally spent a lot of its life in a hay shed outside of Armidale. It is a beautiful bike to ride and so different to its more modern siblings.

It doesn’t get out often but good fun when it does. I am very pleased that she now gets the head turning attention she deserves rather than from the vermin in that shed in Armidale.

R60/6 at the Centenary Show

Next up was Big Red a sadly neglected R1100GS that belonged to a Police Officer friend of my daughter after her husband had passed away. It had been to the tip of Cape York and she sold it to me on the condition that I take her for one last ride when restored. These 4valve oilheads in 1100 or 1150 form have a devoted following but they do not attract the same value as the earlier airheads - maybe one day. It is very easy to overcapitalize on a bike like this but add in a dose of sentimental value and it all starts to make sense. I will do a write up on the restoration of Big Red after I get around to getting him registered and on the road. Again he offers a different riding experience to the R60/6 and the R1200GS.

Last but certainly not least is Duke - my Bevel engined L twin 860GTS Ducati. I bought Duke new in 1977 and he took Jane and me around Tasmania on our honeymoon in 1978. We had many great trips on Duke before he was parked up in 1986 by which stage we had five kids and a mortgage so economics overtook us.

I could never bring myself to part with Duke and fortunately back in the 80’s the GT & GTS model Ducatis were about as popular as a milkshake at a B&S Ball. He remained complete and I have plenty of extra parts and he is now back to a restored rolling chassis awaiting the engine install. 2025 will definitely be Duke’s year. (Ducati Rolling Chassis)

We all have our individual likes as far as bikes are concerned and that is the joy of tinkering and preserving something that we love and being able to pass it on to the next generation. On a trip to the Isle of Man some years ago I visited the home and workshop of Tony East (now sadly departed). Tony was the president of the VMCC of the IOM and his collection of fully restored bikes with TT heritage was jaw dropping. I asked Tony if he owned the bikes (some he did) and I was impressed with his reply. No these bikes belong to the people to be enjoyed from generation to generation - I am just the current custodian. Long may they last and may you be one who unearths and restores a gem for future generations to enjoy.

HoriZons unlimitEd

The popular Horizons Unlimited Travellers event is returning to South East QLD!

Dates are Friday 2nd May to Sunday 3rd May 2025 (noting Mon 6th May is a Public Holiday in QLD)

Venue is Kokoda Park, Thornton in the beautiful Lockyer Valley, about 15 mins from Laidley.

Registration is available on the Horizons Unlimited page from early December. https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events

The Monthly Club Ride for November was to Leyburn, led by Tony Gray. Here are some of Mario and Fiona’s photos of the day.

The mid week ride led by Gary Bennett was to Gus Beutel lookout, a small but keen group had a great ride and most even stayed dry!

spam part 2 - mor E ro CK in ’ it

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Already done the first two in four days, nothing more to see there, so it was time to do more. Morocco in fact.

We left Part 1 on Day 5 at Algeciras about to embark on the ferry. As always ferries are exciting to ride onto, with all the tie-down and lane marking lumps of slippery metal to somehow avoid and try to keep the wheels on surfaces that aren’t wet and polished. Succeeding beyond our wildest dreams, we parked as directed in a long line. For the ferry first time ever, the crew directed us to put the bikes up on their centre stands. Normally they are pulled down onto the side stand because with the back wheel on the ground they are held in place by the gears, but arguing with people who only speak Spanish is unlikely to reach a good ending, and besides this wasn’t their first crossing.

First on as is our right

Off we went to the passenger deck. We’d been warned by Ride Leader Julia that border control into Morocco happened on the crossing, and it could take up most of the crossing, so getting into the queue was considered priority. We located the immigration forms, filled them out while blocking everyone else so they couldn’t get in front of us, chucked all our jacket/backpack/ helmet paraphernalia on the seats, and got in the queue. Off the ferry went, heading slightly south-west as the destination is Tangiers port, which is nowhere near Tangiers and sits in the

Strait of Gibraltar. The queue was getting very long and hadn’t moved when an official said we had to first go and do our customs bit to get the bikes into Morocco. Sweet I thought, surely we’ll be able to do both together, before remembering that there is no Spanish word for efficient. This turned out to hold true, we did the customs, then had to re-join the original queue where we’d lost our places to all the slackers and laggards. Still, we managed to get through with enough smooth voyage time left to hit the restaurant for a quick drink and chips.

Africa off the port bow

Into Tangiers port, we managed to untie everything and ready ourselves to un-board. This was a little technical as we had to do two U-turns to get down from the upper deck, but no embarrassment and we rolled off. Strangely, we were stopped just off the ramp by officials and a big queue developed. I was waved through to an official who was starting another queue, and he asked me where I was going. I had almost zero recollection of the name of the town we were staying in, so confidently stated something

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like Chez Chook. Not ringing a bell for him. Choy Concheeraz? Still blank. Che Guevara? He placed his hand gently on my arm, and said “You with Rally?”, making motions like a Dakar rider sailing over a nasty sand dune at 180kmh. Yes. Yes I am with Rally, thanking the helmet for disguising the fact that I am 30 years past even getting on an Enduro bike without an elevated work platform. With near hero worship happening behind me, I rode off and waited for the average riders who’d remembered where we were staying but were not with the Rally. We headed east onto the Mediterranean beaches and stopped for lunch in a wildly crowded beach carpark.

Players

on the plage

Morocco riding had been articulated to us by ride leader Julia as needing a bit more attention than Spain and Portugal which we had already assumed having ridden Egypt – but we happily found Morocco to be more “first world” in road manners, cars are quite modern, but when in country areas donkey and carts are commonly seen and the hay trucks, OMG the hay trucks.

Warning sign presumed to be the Harry Potter Keeper stopping the Quaffle car

The Moroccans are a beach people. The beaches went for miles and were packed, and we weren’t set up to get amongst them so had a quick lunch and moved on. It was hot, damned hot. But the movement was good, and soon we utilised the corner marking system to the max in Chefchaouen, of course that was it, the blue city. It had its technical challenges with very steep streets and tight turns onto roads without the benefit of seeing whether traffic was about to spear into the rider, but the corner marker was usually helpful. Into the hotel, with parking of 15 motorcycles into a space designed for 10, and our first night in Morocco was underway. A wander into the town, then dinner. Moroccan food expectations weren’t terribly high, I was anticipating Middle Eastern where it is good, but the range is limited. Completely wrong, the food is fabulous and there is a huge range of different dishes, with the obvious exclusion of bacon. I kicked off with a goat tajine, like a stew in its own clay pot. Hoovered it down. An interesting thing about Morocco is the alcohol sitch. It certainly isn’t illegal, but it isn’t freely available except in large hotel chains and some other places, and almost never in restaurants except in the expensive ones full of western clientele. A few of the crew managed to find a pub-like establishment, but it took a fair bit of effort. Naturally it was packed.

Up on Day 6, we did a micro-tour of the city and thanked the Google Maps profusely for getting us out of the labyrinth. We wandered through

The hay overhang [Photo courtesy of Pamalee]

the Jewish quarter; “The Jewish neighbourhood dates back to the 16th century, when Jewish people were welcomed to reside within the walls of the Medina”. The current Jewish population is tiny compared with the 1950’s, mainly due to immigration to Israel, but the relationship between Jews with the Moroccans remains surprisingly strong – they arrived in early Roman times.

Yeah, the blue city is a bit blue.

Back into the hotel and dressed ready for action, I volunteered to do Tail End Charles, or Charlie according to the disrespectful. The plan was Fez, and we achieved Fez after some riding in admittedly warm conditions. Another feature of Morocco was on display during the ride, which we’d been warned about by Julia; roundabouts can be incredibly slippery. Why is a bit of a mystery, talk about diesel spills seemed a bit random, but the bitumen in roundabouts is incredibly smooth and they are off camber. Going through needs a lot of care, the 3rd exit turn especially needs to be done very carefully. The front started to wash out in one, luckily a

straightening righted the ship, but Julia’s advice was adhered to for most of the trip afterward. Highlight of the day was definitely Ain Dfali for a late lunch. A note here – we were travelling with quite a few people whose heritage is southern Africa. Too much meat is nowhere near enough meat for this demographic, and it is easy for we salad-loving victims to be sucked into their protein inhaling vortex.

Dave’s hopes of becoming Vegan were forever dashed in Ain Dfali

Into Fez, we were staying at the Marriott for two nights. No problems here getting a Casablanca beer, brewed in Morocco, and a vast array of wines. The bikes were parked up and the keys handed over for João to work his magic while we did everything other than worry about the bikes. A group dinner was the go for the first night, requiring a minibus ride into the Medina district.

The restaurant was fairly up-market albeit up some seriously steep stairs with narrow steps, and the food was excellent. The drinks service was a bit random and a lack of alcohol in

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Moroccan customary life meant that they didn’t realise beer should not be served at the same temperature as tea, but besides that it was very nice with good views and a rather scary looking top floor with large holes through to oblivion below. Replete, it was back to get the bus to the hotel.

More clash checking was required on this trip

Day 7 was the first rest day of the tour. The rest day title is completely misleading, rest is not something that happens on a rest day. Firstly, tours to local sites are always planned on the rest days, and often these take 6-8 hours and rarely present opportunities for La-Z-Boy relaxation. Also, the daily grind means only those who can tolerate wearing damp undergarments risk doing laundry on the run. So the rest day is like the Laundry Sabbath – as per Genesis 57:3 (in the Appendix) - on the seventh day they found a laundromat, who charged 10 Dirham/kg for a full firmament removing service, and all was good. I put Laundromat into the Googs and lo – two were within easy walking distance, i.e. a kilometre plus or minus. So Nic and Margreth

were convinced, and we all headed off. All went well even though the socioeconomics dropped off a cliff enroute, and we were followed for a while by a crazy shouting person, but then we got to the laundromat. The Googs said it was open, but it said it wasn’t. Maybe that was what the crazy person was yelling about. Damn, okay plan B, striding off as though I’d fully expected plan A to be closed. The socioeconomics were in free-fall and the traffic was scary, but the laundry was priority one and if a few potential customers didn’t make it, that didn’t matter now. A kilometre to plan B, and it was closed even though the Googs said it was serving customers with gusto. I acted like I was fully expecting this, no worries and laundry is an oppressive first world construct, and suggested we should return to the hotel to be there in time for the tour. Luckily we saw a rat running across the road so I could say that I’d brought my laundry to use as exercise weights, and of course it was a Fez wildlife tour to see the rare and endangered Moroccan Brown Rat, Rattus Moroccanus.

And on the Seventh Day a Laundromat did not appear

Onto the bus with foul clothing stench pushed far to the back of the mind, we headed into the Medina. The guide stated that should any not remain with the group, they would be lost forever, having to survive on any cous-cous and dates that fall onto the ground. Tightly packed together, we headed into the leather shop. Notably, at the door we were all given a sprig of mint.

Fez tannery. First home buyer hotspot.

The leather shop looked out over the Fez tannery. The concept of a tannery is foreign to the average westerner these days, but they are famous for a particular reason. Even with the mint sprig jammed hard up into both nostrils, the smell has to be smelled to be believed. It is a place where if you accidentally soil yourself, people will crowd in and thank you. Trying to distract ourselves with the excellent leather goods while searching the premises for one of those blokes who habitually drown themselves in Lynx Africa, we managed to soldier through and get back into the street. Next the carpet shop, where the owner said we would not even be approached by the staff unless we asked to be shown carpets, yet we were swarmed by staff demanding to show us every carpet in stock.

Unroll up, unroll up, get your Fez carpet here

Keeping absolutely still to avoid someone throwing a carpet out in front of us, we were back out onto the street. The last shopping

opportunity of the day was a weaving shop, where craftsmen use ancient manual looms to create cloth for headscarfs and general wear. After everyone had wrapped a cloth around some part of their body that sticks out from the core, we were on the way to lunch. No-one complained about the lunch, except those in the group that received too many meat skewers. But no-one was in that group. A note about hot beverages in Morocco here. Boiling the kettle and pouring it into a cup from just below the spout is not acceptable, the pour into the cup must be from a great height, preferably one or more stories up. Why, I’m not sure, maybe just showing off. Back to the hotel, it was relax until a big dinner and more beers with the crew.

The big pour, but no-one was looking

Day 8 started amazingly. We strolled down to breakfast as we had a late-ish start, and as we walked from the table suburb to the buffet precinct, we passed someone who we knew. The shock of seeing someone you know completely out of context is always confusing –I know them but they don’t belong in Morocco, so we’ll look at each other for way longer than social norms allow, but say nothing and keep moving. Coming back from the buffet we were prepared, so when we saw him again, we immediately marched toward each other. It was Peter, whose highly recognisable moustaches have been a feature on quite a few Triumph rides back home. Peter was on a bus tour, so we immediately made him insanely jealous and he probably had a miserable time for the rest of his Morocco experience.

Queensland Triumph Riders, unite!

Onto the bikes, we continued south for an hour to reach Ifrane. SUVs with ski racks are a feature of the town, we were entering the Atlas Mountains, and this is Morocco’s answer to the ritzy ski resort question. Very good schools are also a feature of the town, the hoi polloi send their Sebastiens and Persephones here. The coffee was perfectly aligned with the Kultur, the latte was very smooth.

We’re on BMWs. No Parking signs only need to be obeyed by everyone else.

To make the day even better, we were heading to Midelt, the home of Moroccan mining. Julia said we must stop to look at rocks, thus cementing her place in history as the first ride leader to ever consider her clients as actual human beings

who cared about important things. So we pulled over into a mineral display area.

He soon realised I was after things you mustn’t lick

Loaded up with bits of galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and some random fossils, we headed to the hotel. A bit middle of nowhere, a bit windswept, but I’m calling it the best hotel we stayed in. Yes the pool required hiding behind any shelter to avoid hypothermia, but the bar staff were attentive and the rooms were excellent. A large display of adventure motorcycles, not just ours, were out the front and we all eyed each other off but ended up integrating with people from a bus tour. This started with hello. Oh, you are obviously Australian. Where from? Upper Kumbuckta West? OMG Max and Hyacinth over there are from Upper Kumbuckta East! Social docking complete, locked on. Day 8 complete.

Day 9 was more south. Target was the Sahara, which is in the extreme east of Morocco. The trip was through the Low Atlas, there always seemed to be the High Atlas off to the right, but we didn’t get their coolness. The Atlas’ are not tropical, and the ranges resemble the Atacama in their lack of vegetation, but regardless they are seriously spectacular.

Readying for the off

No-one was home

Lunch on a river bank, a bit exposed to the hot sun and needing to lift all the boxes of plates, utensils, and food over a fence, yet still a lot of fun. On we pushed, eventually landing in Merzouga after a lot of weaving around flooded areas. Very few people have the ability to cause rain, but Cindy and I and every one of our friends named Richard have this talent. The first time I went to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth, it rained. Every time one of our friends named Richard organises a ride, we barely survive hail, cyclonic winds, and flooding rains. The entrance into a flash hotel to get changed into camel riding kit created some excitement. Especially for those who didn’t realise that the super power response associated with BMW’s Dynamic mode is not ideal for slippery bog crossings. All made it across, no joy for the waiting photographers unfortunately, and into the air con. Riding pants off, camel pants on, and we were out to the camelport, which is just like an airport but with camels rather than aeroplanes.

Gareth boldly attempting the crossing in Dynamic

mode

The similarities end there though, there is no such thing as Business Class when it comes to camels. The last time I’d ridden a camel was as a child at the town show in the early 1970’s, when 6 kids would somehow be used as decoration on a mangy old beast, and I fell off the back. I was done with that activity, so wasn’t a very positive contributor to the Sahara experience. The biggest problem I have is that there are no foot pegs, so all the weight is on the groinal glutes. Going down dunes means sliding forward and punishing the entire front business. But they are interesting to ride, and the rider is up very high so a good view is guaranteed.

Lawrence of Australia in blue near the back

A sunset on a high dune, with one of the locals encouraged to go and get a sand board so we could fill every pocket and orifice and hair with sand, the mystery appearance of a few glasses of sparkling, thanks William, and we headed into camp.

It was a glamp camp, and things didn’t get off to a good start. It was hot, bloody hot, and

the planned refreshing shower started badly as there was no water. Some investigation and whinging solved that problem, but with all the rain it was still quite humid.

Another bad idea carried through to an inevitable end

Off to a fabulous dinner, where more wine mysteriously appeared courtesy of William, and then there was a very poorly attended cultural event – everyone was pretty much shattered, especially those that had climbed up the dunes three times. The tents weren’t well ventilated, so many punters dragged their mattresses outside to take advantage of the breezes.

How camels are stopped from wandering overnight

Thanks, but we’ve been there and done that Day 10 started well, I thought we were going to have to ride the camels back to the camelport, but it was an awesome Hilux ride, no front business damage and lots of exciting moments swooping over the dunes. Back to the airconditioned hotel we all wished we’d stayed in, into the gear, and it was off to the west because we’d run out of east in the Moroccan Sahara.

Tinghir Gorgeous

DECEMBER 2024

Target for the day was Boumalne Dades, through the Atlas Mountains. What a riding day, it had everything. The rain event had done a lot of damage to the roads, making it a bit of technical fun, before we reached the true highlight –the Tinghir Gorge. Award winning photo after award winning photo were taken as we rolled through the gorges up to Toudgha Dam, which had everything a dam needs except water. An about face from the dam, more award winning photos and we were back in Toudgha El Oulia for a very pleasant lunch.

Nowhere near the crescendo yet

A feature of Moroccan dining was experienced here and not for the first or last time – the slow build-up. We were all seated, we ordered drinks, and the food started to come out. It starts with a couple of small plates of packet chips, positioned so that only some can reach them. Shared out as best that can be managed, maybe 2 whole chips and a broken one each. Then a plate of salad, meat skewers, and some rice. The meat skewers are hard to share, some miss out. Is that all we are getting? Then a small

spoon of salad and rice each. Then hot chips, same as the rice. Then suddenly the table is full of everything, plates balanced on any available surface. Those who feared they were going to miss out notice their pants are about to explode. And it just doesn’t stop – more hot chips, more meat skewers, sweet Jesus there is more coming! Can I just fit one more skewer in? I have to think of the children! They can’t have any!

Heading into Boumalne Dades was the plan for the afternoon. It was getting a bit hot in the lower Atlas, with not much in the way of shade or glaciers to cool everything down, even though we were once again riding in the late afternoon. It was feature of this trip that we rarely got into the hotels before 5pm, which showed that we were packing a bit into each day.

Claims of riding the Sahara were validated

Into the Dades Xaluca Hotel, one thing in particular made this place memorable. Every top floor room had its own extensive roof area, even the small rooms had a Roland Garros

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centre court-coloured and sized area to stroll about on and hang laundry, with the ability for guests to shout things at each other like “Bloody hell, have you seen the size of our balcony? What? Yours can’t be bigger! I’m coming over!”. A buffet dinner, another positive, and we were done for the day.

Looking back to our room from about ½ way along our balcony

Up and away after the usual buffet breakfast experience on Day 11, the target was a big one – Marrakesh. But first some riding into the foothills of the Atlas, which promised some cooler temperatures, just not yet. Into another place we’d never heard of, and yet knew of through the agency of cinema. This was AïtBen-Haddou, a world heritage example of an earthen village, which gives some idea of how much rain they normally get. First, we had to get across the Asif Ounila, also known as the creek, because you can’t drive or ride into the village. Some kind villagers had started building a sandbag stepping-stone style crossing, but delays to the project meant it hadn’t gotten over

the muddy and “just deep enough to overtop the Gore-Tex boots” sections.

We could all see where problems would begin

Into the village, the first monument was the gates. Used for Lawrence of Arabia, they were meant to represent somewhere with gates that was nowhere near Morocco, possibly in Egypt, Arabia or Jordan. Then into the village, with the large empty area off to the side the site of the Gladiator arena where Russell Crowe defeated the opposition in his first bout by throwing his mobile phone at a staff member or something.

Our guide’s was the slightly brown place, centre right

A heap of other Game of Thrones sites and we flogged our way up to the top of the village. The renovations are continuous with this style of building – mud daubed means every time it rains the render washes away, but at least it is all the same colour.

Another wild creek crossing, completely unnecessary as it turned out because of the proper concrete and steel bridge, and we were back on like Russell on his Spanish horse or Lawrence on his Arabian camel. Up into the high Altas, finally some cooler temperatures. A break at a lookout where we finally managed to herd together and get a photo of the BMWMCQ members on the tour, with many of our other tour friends trying to get in and making us feel bad for having to drag them out and push them to the side. Noone dared move Julia though, so we fixed that

by making her an honorary BMWMCQ member for 3 minutes, generously waiving the $0.00003 membership fee because she looked financially distressed lying there in her $2,500 BMW Rallye suit.

Down the Atlas hills and out of the cooler temperatures, the sweaty arrivals continued into the Marrakesh Es Saadi Hotel, only Deadhorse in Alaska has ever had the opposite problem. This hotel had two excellent features suitable for our second full two day stay: a pool, and a bar. That was all we needed.

11 days done; the exotic delights of Marrakesh were in our sights. But all that could wait until after a swim and a gin and tonic.

BMWMCQ members with newest recruit Julia

Our Marrakesh Motto

By Cameron Coles, Member #4051

The long awaited 10th episode of Cam’s Africa Safari is now up on YouTube, click the link below to enjoy and please like the video and leave a comment, this really helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-X0XHDqoeo

In this episode Cam and the tour group continue into the amazing Namibia and the stark Namib desert.

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By Ben Nazzari, Member #4584

Ifeel I need to get this off my chest and out of my head and explain a few things in regards to my 3 bikes.

From day 1 when I joined this great club and after becoming a member with a lot of advice as to which model I should purchase, GS seemed to be the common shout although a few liked the RT mostly it was get a GS and I thought to myself why the hell would I want a GS besides they were significantly more in value than the RT in which I was looking at. So, I purchased my first BMW R1200RT for 5k and I was hooked.

The day I test rode her

Once purchased I rode that bike like nothing else mattered and loved every minute of it. In the 4 years I owned the bike I doubled the Km’s on it, I was supposed to ride her from Brisbane to Perth with my mate Daryl Masterson but Covid had other plans so we decided to do a Qld trip up North through Dalby, Roma, Barcaldine, Longreach and onto Mt Isa then over to Townsville then back down home inland to Brisbane.

Apart from a battery calling it quits in Hughenden it was a very pleasant trip I must say.

One day I went for a leisurely ride out to the Linville pub, once there I got to talking to few guys and they asked me have I been out past

the 14 crossings and onto the dirt? I said yeah not a hope in hell lol and they came back with, it’s all tar till the end then it hits dirt but you’ll be fine. So I thought bugger it I’ll give it a go so off I went for the first 8 crossings not a drama at all But crossing 9 is long and straight and at this stage had shin deep water passing over it pretty quickly, I contemplated turning around but though I’d be ok and be sensible and take it easy. ¾ of the way across I thought to myself wow this bike really is the ants pants then all of a sudden the front wheel just shot out from underneath me with my right leg under the bike, my left leg dragging behind me, me hands still on the handlebars it felt like I was flying through the air like superman but only in this circumstance I had water rushing over the top of my helmet I must of looked a sight because where I stopped was only inches away from the edge where the water dropped down about 3 feet into the river, my eyes were as wide as a racoon and to say I didn’t nearly @#$% myself would be an understatement.

Luckily for me my good leg was out and I could get up and drag my right leg out from under the bike. Standing up I thought to myself Shit lucky no one saw me lol. I leant down backwards and swiftly picked the bike up and she started first go only because I was quick enough to turn her off at the kill switch when I went down. Then I realized my right knee was thumping and I knew I had to get back on the bike and ride home not realizing that I had to go back over the same causeway a second time. Once composed and over the other side I turned around and started across for a second time literally begging my bike to stay upright and as you’d guessed ¾ of the way across the rear end started to move so I backed off and coasted the remainder of the way to the other side.

Then something dawned on me THE SMELL I thought to myself did I actually shit myself and hadn’t noticed till now because it was a gagging, repulsive smell that just wouldn’t go away. Once

back into Linville I passed the pub and gave them the right royal bird as I kept riding all the way home and it wasn’t until I was inside and looking in the mirror, I realized why so many people were yelling and laughing at me and now I knew why I smelt like I did, skidding along that river crossing left me covered in mossy grimy, smelly shit like substance from head to toe not to mention I was drenched, I really looked like something out of a swamp thing movie.

So.... as it was, I had owned the RT for a few years now and one day Daryl Masterson and I were visiting Chris @ Stafford BM shop grabbing a few things and whilst looking around I spotted a silver R1150GSA sitting in the corner with a yellow K1200RS with very low k’s sitting beside it. After a quick chat with old mate Daryl, I hit Chris up and asked if he wanted to sell both bikes and his reply was only if we took both at the same time. Well, we struck up a great deal and the following week I towed the GS home and into the driveway I quickly jumped out of the car and thought to myself this’ll teach those river crossings and show them who’s boss and keep everyone in the club happy now that I own a GSA as well as an RT., I felt I was on top of the world and as happy as pig in shit I finally did it.

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Best mates

It took me 3 days to get her running and registered I was thrilled to bits to have her on the road and running around locally until I felt she was ready for her first big trip. Well, that obviously wasn’t going to happen, upon riding up the Bruce Hwy the clutch decided to slip and by the time I arrived home I had realized that the slave cylinder had packed it in and contaminated the clutch disc, I was devastated, the next day I was head down and broken hearted but I knew what had to be done so I rang Munich in Perth and ordered every single bit of kit I needed plus more because if I was going to being pulling this bike apart I wanted to replace as much as humanly possible whilst she was apart.

The work begins...

So, a new clutch kit, slave cylinder, all new g/box seals, and a complete final drive kit to refurbish it whilst it was off the bike, overkill you say?

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Well in my experience prevention is better than cure and I was to be riding this gem across the country to Perth a week after the 100-year celebration we had in the CBD so I thought to myself if I’m doing this myself, I’m going to do it all.

3 weeks had passed and I was lucky I still had the RT so I could still join in on club rides etc. Another 3 weeks had passed and I was finally on the home straight and all back together and running, just needed to run in the new parts and keep an eye on everything. The mighty 1150 was back on the road and I couldn’t believe It. Once I sorted out a few niggly problems she was ready to go to Perth

Finished and ready for the big trip

1150 waiting with Big Red crying in the background

Also, she was booked in to appear in the 100year celebration in the CBD display. Whilst conversing around and chatting with other club members it was brought to my attention that there was a small puddle of oil under the 1150, upon hearing this my gut contorted and I literally felt myself feeling ill. As it turned out the rear shock the only part I didn’t replace or look at decided he wanted to be part of the refurb of the bike. Honestly, I was numb lol, then I had a whisper in my ear that Graeme Norfolk the owner of Suspension Improvements is the man to talk to, so I was introduced to him by Stuart Wade which I found out later Stuart had already told Graeme about my predicament. So, after a short conversation and straight to the point he told me to have the shock down to him by Tuesday and he would help me out for the trip to Perth the following Monday. In short Graeme recommended that I use an upgraded shock rather than just refurbish the original, so we struck a deal on a Wilbur’s and I raced home and installed the unit and believe me what a difference that shock made.

So, now we are heading to Perth and the bike is performing flawlessly and not a single drama till we reach Denmark in SW Western Australia with a flat Tyre, yep that’s right the whole trip the 11,350km’s we did the only drama I had on the 1150 was a flat Tyre.

Once home and unpacked I thought I would ride the 1150 to a club meeting for something different, so on went the riding gear hopped

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on the GS fired her up and within 15 sec the headlight went out and I thought now that’s not good and that’s when a cloud of smoke appeared from under the tank, I knew then that there was something seriously wrong, quickly turned her off and investigated the drama and to my surprise the wiring loom up under the tank had melted into a big fist full of lava, once again I was glad I still had the RT to fall back on and ride whilst I decided what I was going to do with this awesome yet what seemed like forever fixing things GS.

Well, I put her aside and just kept riding old faithful and it was the frigid digit that I was chatting with Julian Davis and he mentioned in passing that he had a new 1250RT on order and had to find a new home for the 1200GSA. I couldn’t help myself so by lunchtime I plucked up the courage to have a chat to him and ask how much he wanted for this GSA...... when he told me the ‘club’ price, I just about knocked him over getting my wallet out of my pocket to give him a deposit, there was no way that bike wasn’t going to end up in my driveway.

Within a week I was the proud owner of a 2008 R1200GSA with all the upgrades and mods you could ask for, this truly is an exceptional bike and I knew then I had a decision to make, keep the RT sell the 1150, sell the RT keep the 1150 and fix her, so there were so many scenarios going on in my mind and I finally decided to sell the RT in which she sold the day I advertised her and went to a really nice guy Leslie.

As for the 1150 I regretfully decided to part her out, my thought was that I would be taking 1 more off the road but keeping 4 or 5 more on the road, so to town I went dismantling the machine that had blood, sweat and tears invested in her from first purchase to final resting place. Sad? Absolutely but I needed to be logical and show Kelly that I’m not blinded by piling endless money into a bike that was just going to keep costing money rather than owning a bike like the RT that really never needed hardly anything other than the usual running costs.

Most of the parts have found good homes and there are only a few items left in which I realise now that I made the right decision. So, at the end of all this ranting I guess what I’m trying to say is no matter what life throws at you, stay true to yourself keep doing what you believe is right and listen to others that might just have the answer to your questions and worries.

Till next year 2025 please be safe have fun and stay upright. Ben Rustic.

Have you listened to the RFDS Podcast as yet? Episode #28 of this really interesting series highlights “The Motorcycle Pudding”! Here is the blurb from the RFDS QLD webpage:

#28 What is the legend of The Motorcycle Pudding?

Flying Doctor Podcast #28:

It all started in 1976 when two keen motorcyclists, Bear, from Western Australia and Eric, from South Australia rode to meet each other on the border between the two states. As an addition to their meal Eric brought a Big Sister self-saucing pudding for dessert, however after a few drinks, the pudding was forgotten, dinner was consumed and the weary friends parted company.

The following year the two men arranged to catch up again and Bear took the pudding with him for dessert -- but again it wasn’t eaten.

The Pudding became a bit of a joke between the two men who travelled with it for years before allowing it to be passed around to other motorcyclists who began to carry it across the country.

The Pudding has been travelling Australia’s highways and backroads ever since, covering hundreds of thousands of kilometres and becoming Motorcycling Australia’s greatest hitchhiker. In the last 10 to 15 years the motorcycling community decided to auction off the carrying of the Pudding at different motorcycling events and donate the proceeds to the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

Listen to the podcast via the link below: https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/news/28-what-legend-motorcycle-pudding/

Club Mileage Awards

Have you clocked up 100,000km, 200,000km or more on one bike?

To celebrate the epic achievements of these milestones, the Club will be issuing Mileage Award Medallions and Certificates to those who qualify. It can be for any make and model of bike that has reached these impressive kilometres in your ownership, and must still be in your ownership.

To nominate your bike, email our Secretary, Geoff Hodge on secretary@bmwmcq.org.au with:

• Photo of the bike or you with bike - this photo will feature on your certificate so a good quality photo will enhance the certificate

• Where and when purchased and mileage at time of purchase

• Photo of the odometer to show the kilometres.

Presentations at the monthly meetings for those that live locally – so get your details in!

Smart Rider Academy will be running some further Ride to Zero courses in 2025. Great value at $50!! Keep an eye on their website for dates and also there is a “How to Keep it Upright” course on 14 December in Redcliffe - also just $50.

Below is some info on the Keep it Upright course:

YBMWMCQ TRAINING COURSE SUBSIDY

our club encourages all members to continue to improve as a rider and offers a financial incentive to foster greater uptake in rider training. A broad interpretation of training has been adopted to include First Aid Training and Traffic Accident site safety management. The intention of the subsidy scheme is to not only improve the road craft of individual members but also to enhance the safety and enjoyment of club runs and events for all participating members.

These are the simple rules to qualify for a subsidy:

1. Every financial member is eligible.

2. Subsidy is limited to one in three years for each member eg subsidy June 2024 re-eligible June 2027.

3. Subsidy provided in the form of a $50 reimbursement after course has been completed and invoice presented to the Treasurer.

4. The applicant must present details and receive approval for the intended training course from the Club Secretary prior to the course being undertaken.

There you have it, an incentive to help to make you a better and safer rider. If you undertake a course please let us know your thoughts on the success of the course, positive or negative.

The Training Course Subsidy can be used to offset the mandatory $50 cost of the upcoming Smart Rider training, with the QLD Govt funding the rest - simples!

Brisbane BMW Motorcycle Specialists

Need your BMW motorcycle serviced? We can also help ensure your pride and joy stays in top nick. Northside Motorcycle Tyres and Service has the latest software for BMWs enabling us to re- set service reminders, and assist with diagnostic testing and component testing making it more efficient to solve any problems with your bike. Log book servicing which won’t void your warranty. Book in for a BMW motorcycle service today with our expert team and you can be confident that Your pride and joy is in good hands.

BMW Motorcycle Tyres & Accessories

Planning on hitting the road soon? Stop by our showroom to check out our great range of tyres, luggage bags and riding gear to suit Adventure or Sport Touring.

FREE BMW Motorcycle Safety Inspection Report

But perhaps more importantly, be prepared before you head off! Book in for your FREE safety inspection report. This simple check can mean the difference between a hassle-free ride versus getting stuck on the side of the road with no phone coverage a long way from the nearest town.

SHOP ONLINE FOR ALL YOUR MOTORCYCLE TYRES & ACCESSORIES WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT OF AFTERPAY “BUY NOW, PAY LATER” HTTPS://NSMCTYRES.COM 1/14 Paisley Drive Lawnton Qld 4503, Phone 07 3205 6505 Email info@nsmctyres.com

From business card to full page, all sizes are available.

The BMWMCQ electronic journal is distributed to members and interested parties throughout Queensland and basically anywhere that has the internet. In addition, the journal is issued to other BMW affiliated Clubs.

Get your message out to people who own, ride and restore BMW motorcycles Phone your requests toDon Grimes - Ph: 0411 601 372

DECEMBER 2024 56 last Word

Last word photo this month is from Compass Expeditions and the group of off-road riders including our son Tim who travelled with us to Batemans Bay - he is on the Tenere T7 with the blue/yellow helmet behind ride leader Jerry Cook on the yellow GS!

BMWMCQ BOOK EXCHANGE

NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE!

Race to Dakar

Extreme Frontiers

Charley Boorman

Charley Boorman (Racing Across Canada)

What If I Had Never Tried It

Valentino Rossi (The Autobiography)

The Road to Mali

No Room for Watermelons

A Motorcycle Courier in the Great War

Australia Motorcycle Atlas

Craig Carey-Clinch

Ron & Lynne Fellowes

Captain W.H.L. Watson

With 200 Top Rides (6th Ed) Hema Maps

Overland Magazines - issue #’s 11; 19; 21; 22; 25; 26; 27; 28 and 29.

Adventure Bike Rider - issue #’s 44; 46; 51 and 53

The Touring Motorcycle

BMW Twins

Jeff Ware & Kris Hodgson

Mick Walker

BMW Boxer Twins Ian Falloon

BMW Motorcycles Bruce Preston

A Century of BMW Manfred Grunet & Florian Triebel

The BMW Story - Production & Racing Motorcycles Ian Falloon

Bahnstormer - The Story of BMW Motorcycles LJK Setright

BMW Company History

1972

BMW Munich

Berry on Bikes - The Hot 100 - Steve Berry

2UP and OVERLOADED

2 x On Tour with Compass Expeditions DVDs

The initiative is being overseen by Jane Gray and you can communicate with Jane via email at:

library@bmwmcq org au

Arrangement can be made with the librarian to pick up & drop off at the monthly General Meeting or other arrangements can be made

tHE Constitution

The Committee has committed to updating the BMWMCQ Constitution (Constitution), for the purposes of bringing it in line with the recent changes to the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Act), simplifying the language, and incorporating changes, specifically Les Fitzpatrick’s Special Resolution which calls for budgetting and setting of membership fees at the AGM.

The process has been for the committee members to be given the opportunity to review and comment on the current Constitution, special thanks go to Darryl Gowlett for putting significant effort into this.

Most of the change is just formatting, for example each of the three meetings - General, AGM, and Special used to be mixed around, they are now in their own numbered sections. The words are the same and they have the same meaning (we have referred in depth to the model rules constitution template Here).

We have removed obsolete language, for example there used to be an annual “Membership Award” given based on points accumulated attending events, leading rides etc etc. If the members ever wanted to do that again the committee could make a by-law or just do it which is easy for the members to amend or repeal rather than having it set in concrete. The Journal used to be printed but only one copy was given per household, hence the 75% subscription rate for member couples. This is all irrelevant so we’ve removed it.

We’ve updated the committee positions to include Events, and as that position has been voted on by the members for a long time at the AGM it is a no brainer.

The Act is 1981. A lot of things have changed since then, computers especially. Accounts, minutes, etc talks about books, way out of date, and obviously not as secure. Cheques were big back then, and EFT didn’t exist. Meetings could only be face-to-face. So we just modernised the Constitution in line with the model rules.

We have simplified the language, legalese is out even in the legal profession and common language is in. The famous clause 28(10) was a 184 word sentence. It’s like reading Carlyle’s The French Revolution. I have changed it to sub-sections (3) to (6) of section 31 General Financial Matters, which say exactly the same thing even though compared with the model rules they are still a bit complex and confusing.

So the update is below. I strongly recommend that you read it in parallel with the existing Constitution so the changes are obvious to you, and I also recommend you see me and other Committee members if you want to discuss.

Some anticipated FAQ:

Q: Do we have to change the Constitution?

A: Well actually no we don’t, except for the Special Resolution. The Act is the law, so any changes to the Act are in force whether they are mentioned in the Constitution or not. For example, we have to apply the Act’s grievance process from 31 July 2024, because we don’t have one. Same with membership records management - we can’t forward our member’s details to Tupperware or Harley Davidson - even though this is not mentioned in the Constitution.

So, the Constitution should reflect the requirements of the Act and be followed to avoid any

behavioural inconsistencies with the Act becoming custom and practice, hence not having the changes to the Act in the Constitution is maybe risky. Are you likely to ever watch Channel 9 and see the BMWMCQ Committee coming out of court with Mario-supplied beanies or bucket hats pulled over their heads? No. But ignorance is no excuse and we must ensure protection.

Q: What will I have to vote on if I attend an AGM or send in a proxy?

A: A vote will be required every year at the AGM on the Special Resolution submitted on the 15 July 2024 and published in the BMWMCQ August Journal on page 54, viz;

I am submitting a special resolution under clause 6/11 of the club constitution to determine and fix the annual membership subscription based on the financial needs of the club for the next calendar year.

I would call on the Club treasurer to produce a projected budget so that the Full members2 of the club may determine the value of the annual subscription, the result based on the current number of members divided into that projected budget figure.

Proposed by, Les Fitzpatrick, member number 1956 [signed]

Seconded by, Peter Ferguson, member number 62 [signed]

16. Membership Fees (1) Subscriptions shall be determined by the members through special resolution (hence the vote every year, as this is required for a special resolution) and become due on the first day of joining and thereafter annually on the anniversary of that date.

2Full Membership. Full Membership is open to owners of BMW motorcycles. Special Resolutions shall be carried by a three-quarter majority vote of the Full Members present at a Special General Meeting.

Although a hell of a lot of work has gone into this, the Editor (I) have zero vested interest in it, so I’d like to close with the timeless words of Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind with regard to whether the members vote to approve the Special Resolution and update the Constitution or not:

1. Name

The name of the incorporated Association shall be “The BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Incorporated” (in these Rules called “the Association”).

2. Objects

The objects for which the Association is established are to increase the enjoyment of motorcycling by:-

(1) Improving the opinion of the Public towards motorcycling in general and associated matters particularly through:-

(a) Careful, courteous, considerate riding at all times, especially when riding with the Association. (b) Rendering assistance to all road users in difficulty.

(2) Improving the service and availability of spare parts for BMW motorcycles in Queensland using the advantage of united effort.

(3) Decreasing maintenance and running costs by mutual assistance on mechanical problems.

(4) Organising tours and outings.

(5) Affiliation with other Associations where such would be of mutual benefit.

3.

Powers

(1) The Association has the powers of an individual.

(2) The Association may, for example(a) enter into contracts; and (b) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and (c) make charges for services and facilities it supplies; and (d) do other things necessary or convenient to be done in carrying out its affairs.

(3) The Association may also issue secured and unsecured notes, debentures and debenture stock for the Association.

4. Classes of Members

(1) Membership of the Association shall be under three categories, these being:(a) Full Membership. Full Membership is open to owners of BMW motorcycles. (b) Associate Membership. Associate Membership is by invitation, for persons who do not own a BMW motorcycle but have a genuine interest in BMW motorcycles and a desire to participate in the Association’s activities and support the Association’s objectives, and (c) Life membership. This shall be an honour offered to persons who in the opinion of the Management Committee have served the Club or its membership in a way that deserves special recognition, and any such offer is to be approved by the general membership by special resolution. Life membership is confirmed through the acceptance of the offer by the nominee. This class of membership entitles its holder to all entitlements of Full Membership without that life member being required to pay any further fee for membership.

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(2) The number of members in each class shall be unlimited.

5. Membership

Every application for any class of membership of the Association shall be made in writing, signed by the applicant, in such form as the Management Committee from time to time prescribes.

6. Membership Fees

(1) Subscriptions shall be determined by the members through Special Resolution and become due on the first day of joining and thereafter annually on the anniversary of that date. Any member who fails to pay subscriptions within two months of the due date shall forfeit all rights as an Association Member ;

(2) Common address subscription rates shall be fixed at seventy-five percent of the prescribed fee per member in that household.

7. Admission and Rejection of Members

(1) At the next General Meeting after the receipt of any application and the fee applicable for any class of membership, such application shall be considered by the Membership, who shall thereupon determine upon the admission or rejection of the applicant.

(2) Any applicant who receives a majority of the votes of the members present at the meeting at which such application is being considered shall be accepted as a member to the class of membership applied for.

(3) Upon the acceptance or rejection of an application for any class of membership the Secretary shall forthwith give the applicant notice in writing of such acceptance or rejection.

8. Termination of Membership

(1) A member may resign from the Association at any time by giving notice in writing to the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time such notice is received by the Secretary unless a later date is specified in the notice when it shall take effect on that later date.

(2) If a member:-

(a) is convicted of an indictable offence; or (b) fails to comply with any of the provisions of these Rules; or (c) has membership fees in arrears for a period of two months or more; or (d) conducts themselves in a manner considered to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of the Association; the Membership shall consider whether that person’s membership should be terminated.

(3) The member concerned shall be given a full and fair opportunity of presenting their case and if the Membership resolves to terminate that person’s membership it shall instruct the Secretary to advise that member in writing accordingly.

9. Appeal Against Rejection or Termination of Membership

(1) A person whose application for membership has been rejected or whose membership has been terminated may within one month of receiving written notification thereof, lodge with the Secretary written notice of their intention to appeal against the decision of the Membership.

(2) Upon receipt of a notification of intention to appeal against rejection or termination of

DECEMBER 2024

membership the Secretary shall convene, within three months of the date of receipt of such notice, a general meeting to determine the appeal. At any such meeting the applicant shall be given the opportunity to fully present their case and the members who rejected the application for membership or terminated the membership subsequently shall likewise have the opportunity of presenting its or their case. The appeal shall be determined by the vote of the members present at such meeting.

(3) Where a person whose application is rejected, does not appeal against the decision of the Membership within the time prescribed by these Rules or so appeals but the appeal is unsuccessful, the Secretary shall forthwith refund the amount of any fee paid.

10. Grievance Procedure (NEW)

10A. Grievance Procedure

(1) This Rule sets out a grievance procedure for dealing with a dispute under the Rules between parties as described in section 47A(1) of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Act).

(2) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the grievance procedure cannot be used by a person whose membership has been terminated under Rule 8.

(3) A member (the aggrieved party) initiates the grievance procedure in relation to the dispute by giving a notice in writing of the dispute:

(a) to the other party; and

(b) if the other party is not the Management Committee, to the Management Committee.

(4) If two or more members initiate a grievance procedure in relation to the same subject matter, the Management Committee may deal with the disputes in a single process and the members must choose one of the members (also the aggrieved party) to represent the members in the grievance procedure.

(5) Subject to rule 10B, the parties to the dispute must, in good faith, attempt to resolve the dispute.

(6) If the parties to the dispute cannot resolve the dispute within 14 days after the aggrieved party initiates the grievance procedure, the aggrieved party may, within a further 21 days, ask the Association’s Secretary to refer the dispute to mediation.

(7) Subject to rule 10B, if the aggrieved party asks the Association’s Secretary to refer the dispute to mediation under subrule (6), the Management Committee must refer the dispute within 14 days after the request.

10B. Grievance procedure not continued in particular circumstances

(1) This rule applies if—

(a) a member initiates a grievance procedure in relation to a dispute and the Association or Association’s Management Committee is the other party to the dispute; or

(b) the aggrieved party asks the Association’s Secretary to refer the dispute to mediation under rule 10A(6).

(2) The Management Committee does not have to act under rule 10A(5) or (7) if—

(a) the aggrieved party has, within 21 days before initiating the grievance procedure, behaved in a way that would give the Management Committee grounds for taking disciplinary action under the rules against the aggrieved party in relation to the matter the subject of the grievance procedure; or

(b) before the grievance procedure was initiated, a process had started to take action under the rules against the aggrieved party or terminate the aggrieved party’s membership, as provided for under the rules, and the dispute relates to that process or to a matter relevant to that process; or (c) the dispute could reasonably be considered frivolous, vexatious, misconceived, or lacking in substance or the dispute relates to a matter that has already been subject of the grievance procedure.

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10C. Appointment of mediator

(1) If a dispute under rule 10A is referred to mediation-

(a) the parties to the dispute must choose a mediator to conduct the mediation; or

(b) if the parties are unable to agree on the appointment of a mediator within 14 days after the dispute is referred to mediation, the mediator must be-

(i) for a dispute between a member and another member - a person appointed by the Management Committee; or

(ii) for a dispute between a member and the Management Committee or the Association - an accredited mediator or a mediator appointed by the director of the dispute resolution centre.

(2) An accredited mediator may refuse to be the mediator, or the director of a dispute resolution centre may refuse to appoint a mediator, to mediate the dispute.

(3) If subrule (2) applies, the parties may seek to resolve the dispute in accordance with the Act or otherwise at law.

10D. Conduct of mediation

(1) If a mediator is appointed under rule 10A, the mediator must start the mediation as soon as possible after the appointment and try to finish the mediation within 28 days after the appointment.

(2) Subrule (1) does not apply if the mediator is the director of a dispute resolution centre.

(3) The mediator—

(a) must give each party to the dispute an opportunity to be heard on the matter the subject of the dispute; and

(b) must comply with natural justice; and

(c) must not act as an adjudicator or arbitrator; and

(d) during the mediation, may see the parties, with or without their representatives, together or separately.

(4) The parties to the dispute must act reasonably and genuinely in the mediation and help the mediator to start and finish the mediation within the time required under subrule (1)

(5) The costs of the mediation, if any, are to be shared equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed.

(6) If the mediator cannot resolve the dispute, the parties may seek to resolve the dispute in accordance with the Act or otherwise at law.

10E. Representation for grievance procedure

(1) A party to a dispute may appoint any person to act on behalf of the party in the grievance procedure.

(2) If a party appoints a person under subrule (1) to be the party’s representative, the party must give written notice of the appointment to each of the following entities—

(a) the other party to the dispute;

(b) the Management Committee;

(c) if a mediator has been appointed before the party appoints the representative—the mediator.

(3) A representative who acts for a party at a mediation must— (a) have sufficient knowledge of the matter the subject of the dispute to be able to represent the party effectively; and

(b) be authorised to negotiate an agreement for the party.

10F Electronic communication for grievance procedure

Any meeting or mediation session required under the grievance procedure may be conducted by electronic means if the parties to the dispute and, for a mediation, the mediator agrees.

11. Register of Members

(1) The Management Committee must keep a register of members of the Association.

(2) The register must include the following particulars for each member—

(a) the full name of the member;

(b) the postal or residential address of the member;

(c) the date of admission as a member;

(d) the details of motorcycles owned by the member;

(e) the date of death or time of resignation of the member;

(f) details about the termination or reinstatement of membership;

(g) any other particulars the Management Committee or the members at a General Meeting decide.

(3) The register must be available for inspection by members of the Association at all reasonable times.

(4) A member must contact the Secretary to arrange an inspection of the register.

(5) However, the Management Committee may, on the application of a member of the Association, withhold information about the member (other than the member’s full name) from the register available for inspection if the Management Committee has reasonable grounds for believing the disclosure of the information would put the member at risk of harm.

12. Prohibition on use of information on register of members (NEW)

(1) A member of the Association must not—

(a) use information obtained from the register of members of the Association to contact, or send material to, another member of the Association for the purpose of advertising for political, religious, charitable or commercial purposes; or

(b) disclose information obtained from the register to someone else, knowing that the information is likely to be used to contact, or send material to, another member of the Association for the purpose of advertising for political, religious, charitable or commercial purposes. Subrule (1) does not apply if the use or disclosure of the information is approved by the Association.

13. Membership of Management Committee

(1) The Management Committee shall consist of:-

(a) An Honorary President who must be a full member;

(b) An Honorary Vice-President who must be a full member;

(c) An Honorary Secretary who must be a full member;

(d) An Honorary Treasurer who must be a full member;

(e) A Records Officer and Registrar;

(f) A Newsletter Editor;

(g) An Events Officer; (NEW)

(h) A Tools and Spare Parts Officer;

(h) A Regalia Officer;

(i) One other member;

all of whom shall be members. One of the Management Committee may be appointed the Association’s Public Relations Officer by a vote among the Management Committee members. This position need not necessarily be created in every Management Committee. The Management Committee shall have the power to co-opt assistance from the Membership.

(2) The number of Management Committee positions may be changed as from time to time deemed

tHE Constitution updatE

necessary by the Membership at any General Meeting by election or appointment.

(3) At the Annual General Meeting of the Association, all the members of the Management Committee for the time being shall retire from office but shall be eligible upon nomination for reelection.

(4) The election of officers and other members of the Management Committee shall take place with nominations open up until the vote is taken at the Annual General Meeting. All nominations shall have a proposer and a seconder.

14. Resignation or removal of Management Committee member

(1) Any member of the Management Committee may resign from membership of the Management Committee at any time by giving notice in writing to the Secretary but such resignation shall take effect at the time such notice is received by the Secretary unless a later date is specified in the notice when it shall take effect on that later date.

(2) A member of the Management Committee may be removed from office at a General Meeting of the Association where that Management Committee member shall be given the opportunity to fully present their case. The question of removal shall be determined by the vote of the members present at such a General Meeting.

15. Vacancies on Management Committee

(1) The Management Committee shall have power at any time to appoint any member of the Association to fill any casual vacancy on the Management Committee until the next Annual General Meeting.

(2) The continuing members of the Management Committee may act notwithstanding any casual vacancy in the Management Committee, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Rules as the necessary quorum of the Management Committee, the continuing member or members may act for the purpose of increasing the number of members of the Management Committee to that number or of summoning a General Meeting of the Association, but for no other purpose.

16. Functions of Management Committee

(1) Subject to these Rules or a resolution of the members of the Association carried at a General Meeting, the Management Committee has the general control and management of the administration of the affairs, property and funds of the Association.

(2) The Management Committee has the authority to interpret the meaning of these Rules and any matter relating to the Association on which these Rules are silent, but any interpretation must have regard to the Act, including any regulation made under the Act .

(3) The Management Committee may exercise all the powers of the Association :-

(a) to borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the members of the Association may think fit and secure the same and the payment or performance of any debt, liability, contract, guarantee or other engagement incurred or to be entered into by the Association in any way and in particular by the issue of debentures, perpetual or otherwise, charged upon all or any of the Association’s property, both present and future, and to purchase, redeem or pay off any such securities;

(b) to borrow money from members at a rate of interest not exceeding interest at the rate for the time being charged by bankers in Brisbane for overdrawn accounts on money lent, whether the term of the loan be short or long, and to mortgage or charge its property or any part thereof and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or

obligation of the Association, and to provide and pay off any such securities; and (c) to invest in such manner as the members of the Association may from time to time determine.

17. Meetings of Management Committee

(1) The Management Committee shall meet at least once every calendar month to exercise its functions.

(2) A Special Meeting of the Management Committee shall be convened by the Secretary on the requisition in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the Management Committee, which requisition shall clearly state the reasons why such special meeting is being convened and the nature of the business to be transacted thereat.

(3) At every meeting of the Management Committee a simple majority of a number equal to the number of members elected and/or appointed to the Management Committee as at the close of the last General Meeting of the members, shall constitute a quorum.

(4) Subject as previously provided in this Rule, the Management Committee may meet together and regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit.

(5) The Management Committee may hold meetings, or permit a committee member to take part in its meetings, by using any technology that reasonably allows the member to hear and take part in discussions as they happen. (NEW)

(6) Questions arising at any meeting of the Management Committee shall be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of equality of votes, the question shall be deemed to be decided in the negative.

(7) A member of the Management Committee shall not vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract with the Association in which that Management Committee member is interested, or any matter arising therefrom, and if that member does so vote then their vote shall not be counted.

(8) Not less than fourteen days notice shall be given by the Secretary to members of the Management Committee of any Special Meeting of the Management Committee. Such notice shall clearly state the nature of the business to be discussed thereat.

(9) The President shall preside at every meeting of the Management Committee, or if there is no President, or if at any meeting that person is not present within ten minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Vice-President shall preside at that meeting, or if the VicePresident is not present at the meeting then the members may choose one of their number to preside at that meeting.

(10) If within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the commencement of a Management Committee Meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members of the Management Committee, shall lapse. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to such other day and at such other time and place as the Management Committee may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall lapse.

18. Appointment of sub-committees

(1) The Management Committee may delegate any of its powers to a sub-committee consisting of such members of the Association as the Management Committee thinks fit. Any sub-committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Management Committee.

(2) A sub-committee may elect a person to preside at its meetings. If no such person is elected, or if at any meeting the person elected to preside is not present within ten minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members present may choose one of their number to preside at that meeting.

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(3) A sub-committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and, in the case of an equality of votes, the question shall be deemed to be decided in the negative.

19. Acts not affected by defects or disqualifications

(1) An act performed by the Management Committee, a subcommittee or a person acting as a member of the Management Committee is taken to have been validly performed.

(2) Subrule (1) applies even if the act was performed when—

(a) there was a defect in the appointment of a member of the Management Committee, subcommittee or person acting as a member of the Management Committee; or (b) a Management Committee member, subcommittee member or person acting as a member of the Management Committee was disqualified from being a member.

20. Resolutions of Management Committee without meeting

(1) A resolution in writing signed by all members of the Management Committee shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Management Committee that was properly convened and held.

(2) A resolution mentioned in subrule (1) may consist of several documents in like form, each signed by one or more members of the Management Committee.

21. Annual General Meeting

(1) The Annual General Meeting shall be held in March of each year at such time and place as the Management Committee may decide; the Secretary shall give at least fourteen days notice to all members of the time and place of the meeting.

(2) The business to be transacted at every Annual General Meeting shall be:-

(a) the receiving of the Management Committee’s report and the statement of income and expenditure, assets and liabilities and mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the Association for the preceding financial year;

(b) details of the remuneration paid or other benefits given for the financial year to the following persons, if any; (NEW)

(i) each member of the Management Committee of the Association;

(ii) each senior staff member of the Association;

(iii) each relative of a person mentioned in paragraph (i) or (ii ).

(c) the receiving of the auditor’s report upon the books and accounts for the preceding financial year;

(d) the election of members of the Management Committee;

(e) the presenting of an Association budget for the next financial year; (NEW)

(f) a confirmation of membership fees for the next financial year; (NEW)

(g) any proposed amendments to these Rules by Special Resolution.

(3) In the event of the Annual General Meeting not being held by March 31st in any year, any five members of the Association shall have power to call and convene an Annual General Meeting.

22. Special General Meetings

The Secretary shall convene a Special General Meeting:-

(1) when directed to do so by the Management Committee; or (2) on the requisition in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members presently on

the Management Committee or not less than ten percent of members of the Association. Such requisition shall clearly state the reasons why such Special General Meeting is being convened and the nature of the business to be transacted thereat; or

(3) on being given a notice in writing of an intention to appeal against the decision of the Management Committee to reject an application for membership or to terminate the membership of any person; or

(4) to propose an amendment to these Rules by Special Resolution.

(5) Special Resolutions shall be carried by a three-quarter majority vote of the Full Members present at a Special General Meeting provided that not less than 30 days notice of the terms of that resolution has been given to members, such notice to be by publication in the Association’s Newsletter or Journal, or the Association’s Internet web page.

23. Notice of General Meeting

(1) The Secretary must give at least 14 day’s notice of a General Meeting to each member of the Association.

(2) The Management Committee may decide the way in which the notice must be given.

(3) However, notice of the following meetings must be given in writing—

(a) a meeting called to hear and decide the appeal of a person against the Management Committee’s decision—

(i) to reject the person’s application for membership of the Association; or (ii) to terminate the person’s membership of the Association;

(b) a meeting called to hear and decide a proposed Special Resolution of the Association.

24. General Meetings

(1) General Meetings shall be held once in each calendar month and at such place as the Management Committee may determine.

(2) At any General Meeting the number of members required to constitute a quorum shall be twice the number of committee members plus one at the time of the Meeting.

(3) No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. For the purposes of this Rule “member” includes a person attending as a proxy or as representing a corporation that is a member.

(4) If within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the commencement of a General Meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members of the Management Committee or the Association, shall lapse. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to such other day and at such other time and place as the Management Committee may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the meeting, the members present shall be a quorum.

(5) The person who presides at the meeting may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.

25. Procedure at General Meetings

Unless

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(1) the President shall preside, or if there is no President, or if that person is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the Meeting or is unwilling to act, then the Vice-President shall preside thereat or if the Vice-President is not present or is unwilling to act then the members present shall elect one of their number to preside at that Meeting;

(2) the person who presides at any meeting shall maintain order and conduct the meeting in a proper and orderly manner;

(3) every question, matter or resolution shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present;

(4) every member present shall be entitled to one vote and in the case of an equality of votes the person who presides shall have a second or casting vote: Provided that no member shall be entitled to vote at any General Meeting if their annual subscription is more than one month in arrears at the date of the meeting;

(5) voting shall be by a show of hands or a division of members, unless not less than one-fifth of the members present demand a ballot, in which event there shall be a secret ballot. The person who presides at the meeting shall appoint two members to conduct the secret ballot in such manner as that person presiding shall determine and the result of the ballot as declared by the presiding person shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the ballot was demanded;

(6) a member may take part and vote in a General Meeting in person, by proxy, by attorney or by using any technology that reasonably allows the member to hear and take part in discussions as they happen. and on a show of hands; and every person present who is a member or a representative of a member shall have one vote and in a secret ballot every member present in person or by proxy or by attorney or other duly authorised representative shall have one vote;

(7) the instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, in the common or usual form under the hand of the appointor or of their attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy may be a member of the Association. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a secret ballot; (8) the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited with the Secretary prior to the ballot or election;

26. Recording of meeting minutes

The Secretary shall cause full and accurate minutes of all questions, matters, resolutions and other proceedings of every Management Committee Meeting and General Meeting to be entered in a book to be open for inspection at all reasonable times by any financial member who previously applies to the Secretary for that inspection. For the purposes of ensuring the accuracy of the recording of such minutes, the minutes of every Management Committee Meeting shall be signed by the person who presides at that Meeting or the person presiding at the next succeeding Management Committee Meeting verifying their accuracy. Similarly, the minutes of every General Meeting shall be signed by the person who presides at that meeting or the person who presides at the next succeeding General Meeting: Provided that the minutes of any Annual General Meeting shall be signed by the person who presides at that meeting or the person who presides at the next succeeding General Meeting or Annual General Meeting.

27. By-laws

The Management Committee may from time to time make, amend or repeal by-laws, not inconsistent with these Rules, for the internal management of the Association and any by-law may be set aside by a General Meeting of members.

28. Alteration of Rules

(1) Subject to the Act, these rules may be amended, repealed or added to by a Special Resolution carried at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.

(2) However an amendment, repeal or addition is valid only if it is registered by the chief executive.

29. Common Seal

The Management Committee shall provide for a Common Seal and for its safe custody. The Common Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Management Committee and every instrument to which the Seal is affixed shall be signed by any two of the President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer.

30. Funds and Accounts

(1) The funds of the Association shall be banked in the name of the Association in such bank as the Management Committee may from time to time direct.

(2) Records and accounts must be kept in the English language showing full and accurate particulars of the financial affairs of the Association.

(3) All amounts must be deposited in the financial institution account as soon as practicable after receipt.

(4) A payment by the Association of $100 or more must be made by electronic funds transfer (NEW) or by cheque signed by any two of the President, Secretary or Treasurer.

(5) Cheques shall be crossed and marked “Not Negotiable” except those in payment of wages, allowances or petty cash recoupments which may be open.

(6) The Management Committee shall determine the amount of petty cash which shall be kept on the imprest system.

(7) All expenditure shall be approved or ratified at a Management Committee Meeting.

31. General Financial Matters

(1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year the Treasurer shall cause to be prepared a statement containing particulars of:-

(a) the income and expenditure for the financial year just ended; and (b) the assets and liabilities of all mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the Association at the close of that year.

(2) All such statements shall be examined by the auditor who shall present a report upon such audit to the Secretary prior to the holding of the Annual General Meeting next following the financial year in respect of which such audit was made.

(3) The income and property of the Association shall be used and applied solely in promotion of its objects and in the exercise of its powers.

(4) No portion shall be distributed, paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to or amongst the members of the Association.

(5) Remuneration can be paid to any officers or servants of the Association or to any member of the Association or other person in return for any services rendered to the Association.

(6) Payment or repayment can be made to any member for out-of-pocket expenses, money lent, reasonable and proper charges for goods hired by the Association or reasonable and proper rent for premises let to the Association.

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32. Documents

The Management Committee shall provide for the safe custody of books, documents, instruments of title and securities of the Association.

33. Financial Year

The financial year of the Association shall close on January 31 in each year.

34. Distribution of Surplus Assets

If the Association shall be wound up in accordance with the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and there remains, after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association, but shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association, and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Association under or by virtue of sub-rules 31(3) and 31(4), such institution or institutions to be determined by the members of the Association.

End

Where to from here?

Under the assumption you have the time or interest to read this and hopefully understand the updates in this Constitution with regard to the current Constitution and the Model Rules, the Act and the updates to the Act, then I would like to hear any comments and discuss any questions. Your interpretation of the current Constitution and how the Club is run is best discussed with Rhett.

The AGM in March 2025 is the time for voting. I anticipate that the vote will only be practical if done as a YES or NO for the Special Resolution, and a separate YES or NO for the updates, it is not going to work if every update is voted on separately. Hence if you find something that you disagree with, and is not supported by the requirements and wording of the Model Rules or the Act, or you believe is worded wrong, it is better to discuss beforehand rather than vote NO because who rather than whom was used.

Under the assumption that the Special Resolution and/or the updates get up, as per section 26 of the existing Constitution or section 28 of the updated one, the resulting Constituition must be registered with the chief executive, and under the fairly safe assumption they would tick it off, it is good to go.

Duncan Bennett, Member #4171