Stone 33 Motorcycle Ride Report

Raise Funds for the Warley Hospital A&E Department

Sunday 22nd May 2005

Return to Reports 2005

Sandy Harbutt (Undertaker) at Tooradin on his mount for the ride. 

The V.M.M.A. in conjunction with the Phillip Island Lodge No. 512 was able to put together from a very singular action in June 2004 the "STONE 33" Motorcycle Ride from San Remo to Cowes on Sunday 22nd May 2005 that collectively raised a total amount of $10,000, yes ten thousand dollars from this one day event.

Freemasonry Victoria after receiving a submission from the V.M.M.A. Inc. gave their support via the Board of Benevolence to this event by pledging to match $ for $ up to a maximum of $5000.

The singular event in June 2004 was that of a humble Pizza challenge to Cowes from Mike Dixon a Phillip Island Lodge and V.M.M.A. member.

This Pizza challenge found the V.M.M.A. taking up this magnificent offer to eat Pizza's, as though most of us really needed such a challenge for our leathers are already getting tight.

Motorcyclists ready to ride for charity. 

Mike would not accept payment for the pizza's provided and suggested the normal practice for the V.M.M.A. off passing around a bucket for a donation would be more appropriate, this bucket donation was the start of "STONE 33", money raised from this bucket was $400, it was suggested that $450 would be a suitable amount to be donated to the Warley Hospital Accident & Emergency Department, accordingly the amount was made up to $450.

At this point in time the V.M.M.A. had no idea of the significance of the $450 raised via the bucket, until November 2004 when Dave Hall who also is a Phillip Island Lodge and V.M.M.A. member stood up at Mansfield Masonic Centre at the 1st Installation carried out be the V.M.M.A. and requested a representative of the V.M.M.A. to come forth and accept a certificate of recognition from the Warley Hospital.

The significance of that donation of $450 was revealed, that being the cost to keep the Warley Hospital Accident & Emergency Department open per day was a mere $450 and that on average the A & E Department saves one life per day, so a LIFE is worth $450.

L to R: V.M.M.A. President Matt Turner talking with ZONK, Saturday evening.

Both the V.M.M.A. and Phillip Island Lodge members agreed to work together to save 10 life's by raising $4500 during 2005, no idea at this stage how we would be able raise such an amount.

But it was not long before the idea of putting together a motorcycle ride that involved both the Phillip Island community and motorcyclists in Victoria was the vehicle to raise these funds.

Dave Hall made contact with Sandy Harbutt (The Undertaker) who produced, directed and acted as The Undertaker in the Australian icon Movie "STONE" to inquire if he would grant authorization for the Movie "STONE" to be screened to motorcyclists at Phillip Island for the sole purpose of assisting with raising the planned $4500.

The immediate response from Sandy was YES and that he would like to personally travel from Sydney at his own expense to join with us for this worthy cause and that Co-Star ZONK a M.M. would like to attend also from Sydney.

Authorization was also granted from Sandy for Posters to advertise the event and for a Limited Edition of 75 Caps and Sow on Cloth Badges to be produced to mark this event in History.

The date was then set for Sunday 22nd May 2005, as mentioned this event required resources both in Melbourne and at Phillip Island to work conjointly for this event to be a success, both the V.M.M.A. & Phillip Island Lodge No. 512 agreed to take this task on.

Assistance was sought from Freemasonry Victoria via the Board of Benevolence, their response was that they were able to support this worthy cause by matching our funds raised $ for $ up to a maximum of $5000. The Local Council at Phillip Island donated the use of the Civic Centre at Cowes as the destination point of the ride, the Victorian Police and the S.E.S. assisted by providing traffic control and many other groups and individuals provided the much required back ground support for such an event.

The informal gathering point at Tooradin Sunday 9.30 a.m. 

Sandy and Zonk arrived in Melbourne from Sydney on Saturday afternoon, they were accommodated by Matt & Jane Turner who had arranged a quite BBQ evening with a number of V.M.M.A. members to welcome both of them.

Sunday morning was an early start both for those organisers in Melbourne and down at Phillip Island, the day started in Melbourne with Sandy and Zonk arriving at the West Gate Bridge Servo on the Melbourne side, for Sandy had requested that he and Zonk ride to San Remo leading a small informal group.

The word was out and the informal ride had grown to over 150 motorcycles on departing Tooradin at 10.00 a.m.

Hilly who would normally ride in such events as Tail End Charlie (rear rider) found himself as the lead rider from the Westgate Bridge to Tooradin and then continued leading through to San Remo.

On departing Tooradin, Hilly lead the ride followed by both Sandy (Undertaker) on the loaned replica Z900 and Zonk on Matt's Triumph (Yes it did get there!!!!!), the view when approaching San Remo with Westernport Bay to the right was overwhelming with both Sandy and Zonk thumbing the air with raised fists.

On arriving at San Remo at 10.45 a.m., there were already a large number of motorcyclists gathered in the reserved area that was provided by the Local Council.

Motorcyclists continued to arrive up to the departure time of 11.30 a.m.

Both Sandy and Zonk were very accommodating to all those requests for both autographs and photographs both at San Remo and Cowes Civic Centre latter in the afternoon.

The Victorian Police provided Traffic Management at San Remo which allowed the group ride to depart San Remo safely for the ride to Cowes.

The ride from San Remo to Cowes was lead by Sandy and Zonk, who were escorted by the V.M.M.A. lady motorcycle riders followed by everyone else with Mike Dixon and Chris Wells riding as Tail End Charlie's.

V.M.M.A. lady motorcycle riders preparing for departure as escort to Sandy & Zonk. 

As the group rode to Cowes there many individuals and groups, some being very well prepared coming armed with chairs, drinks and camera's etc to witness this very special charitable event.

On arrival at our destination at Cowes we were greeted by Traffic Controllers who directed the group into the reserved parking areas, this was very well co-ordinate and once again ensured a safe ending to the ride.

The Civic Centre provided the venue for lunch, band entertainment and screening of the Movie "STONE".

Departure from San Remo to Cowes. 

Sandy and Zonk continued to circulate with the motorcyclists during the afternoon and gave an introductory speech prior to the screening of "STONE".

At the interval of the screening Sandy had the pleasure of informing all those present that the motorcyclists had raised the amount of $5000 on the day and with the $ for $ pledge from Freemasonry Victoria via the Board of Benevolence a Grand Total of $10,000 will be donated to the Warley Hospital, Accident & Emergency Department, which represents 22 LIFES, Yes 22 LIFES.

This concluded the official fundraising activity, Sandy and Zonk stayed at the Island for the evening and were accommodated by members of the Phillip Island Lodge No. 512.

This included a personal visit by both Sandy and Zonk to the Warley Hospital, Accident & Emergency Department to acknowledge their personal support to the event.

Reported by CW