Report Presidents Annual 3 Day Charity Ride
Day 1 - Mansfield Lodge No. 158
Wednesday 12th March
Each year the President identifies a worthy cause and supports it by raising awareness of the cause along with funds to be donated at the conclusion of the 3 Day Presidents Ride.
The 3 Day Ride is designed so that on three consecutive nights we visit 3 Lodges on their regular meeting night. This is coordinated well in advanced with each of the lodges to ensure they are INVOLVED in the awareness of the cause.
This event is supported by a core group of VMMA members who partake in the whole event at their own expense covering all costs involved in participating in the event, other VMMA members join the event as it travels through their districts.
The 2008 journey commenced at Yarra Glen on Wednesday 12th March meeting at 1.00 p.m. for a 1.30 p.m. departure to Mansfield.
Relaxing at Yarra Glen prior to departing for Mansfield.
It was good to see Bob Nicholls ride out to Yarra Glen to have a coffee with Woody, Graham, Richo, Chris & Sharyn before we departed for Mansfield.
The ride to Yea via Glenburn/Flowerdale Road back road was a great start to our 3 day journey through Victoria, first stop was at Yea for a light lunch and refuel.
Yea stop for light lunch, advertising does work!!!!
We departed Yea for the straight forward ride to Mansfield, on arrival Smithy a local VMMA greeted us at the Mansfield Travelers Motel that was a welcomed surprise. Smithy indicated he was still riding his postie bike to and from Mansfield regularly and that Mansfield Lodge is looking forward to our visitation this evening.
L to R: Graham chief butcher & Richo chief cremator!!! L to R: Graham, Richo, Woody & Sharyn enjoying the spoils!!!!!!!
It was decided to have a BBQ tea at the Motel, we split into groups being assigned different tasks with our resident butcher Graham was given the task of purchasing meat and bread, Woody and Graham to purchase some refreshments and Chris and Sharyn to purchase "YES" staples.
You guessed it The Baron rode in just as the BBQ was about to be consumed, but alas no horizontal parking today. It was now time to clean ourselves up and ride a very short distance around the corner to the Mansfield Masonic Centre.
Some of the motorcycles at Mansfield Masonic Centre.
The VMMA over the past 7 years has had a close working relationship with Mansfield Lodge, for they were one of the original lodges who gave support to the VMMA concept in the early days, it was also the 1st Lodge to invite the VMMA to install a VMMA member into the Chair.
The work for the evening was a walk through the 2nd Degree, we were introduced to the Master on our entry into the lodge and on behalf of Mansfield Lodge the Master welcomed us back to Mansfield for our presentation in the South.
Once again the South at Mansfield was outstanding. Chris was invited to discuss Dragons Abreast.
Adjourning to the South we found a good number of local visitors and ladies already waiting for the evening activities to commence, these included supper, refreshments, live music and a VMMA presentation on recent activities in particular the Annual 3 Day Presidents Ride raising the awareness of Dragons Abreast and inviting those in attendance to become involved in the event.
Early in the evening VMMA President Chris was introduced and invited to update those in attendance of our recent activities along with future planned activities.
Richo and The Baron strutting their stuff with Sharyn!!!!!
The main focus was on the Dragons Abreast special effort of which this visit was apart of, it was explained that last year the VMMA was invited to participate in the Annual Pink Ribbon Ride to proved a motorcycle ride for a Group of Selected Special Ladies at the front of a column of 1000 motorcycles from Vermont to Maroondah Dam at Healesville. If fact this Special Ladies were members of Dragons Abreast at Geelong and challenged the VMMA to a Dragon Boat race of which we accepted with some reservation, further discussions with Dragons Abreast took place and we found that they required funds to assist each of their Victorian Divisions to purchase various items to allow them to continue to provide a much need outlet for those affected by breast cancer.
It is a noted FACT that the Dragon Boat Racing assists those affected by breast cancer due to the paddling movement exercising various glands. Chris invited everyone present to become involved in the VMMA Special effort to raise funds by making a donation, the response to this invitation was outstanding with over $300 being donated.
What has Richo said this time?
The VMMA thanked Mansfield Lodge for their continued support and effort they put into hosting the 1st evening of the Annual Presidents 3 Day Charity Ride.
We finally retired back to Mansfield Travelers Motel to see day 1 out of the Presidents Ride, The Baron was to ride back home but his social skills got the better of him and he stayed with us with the elusion he would get up early in the morning and ride home, well this did not occur either due to his requirement for beauty sleep.
A great way to see day 1 out with friends, mates!!!!
The Mansfield Travellers Lodge also became involved by donating the Backpackers accommodation payment to Dragons Abreast amounting to $100.
Reported by: CW
