VMMA Working with the Community
Temple Society "Wheely Fun Day"
Sunday 19th April 2009
The VMMA was approached by Martina who previously co-ordinated Cystic Fibrosis & Genetic Disabilities Network activities whilst working for those community based organisations.
Martina who now works for the Temple Society at Bayswater approached the VMMA to inquire if were in a position to partake in the Temple Society "Wheely Fun Day" on Sunday 19th April and provide free pillion rides at the event.
Martina was the VMMA contact person with the Temple Society who arrange the Wheely Fun Day.
It was agreed that the VMMA would assist this community based event with the Temple Society providing an area for a VMMA display and a registration area for those desiring a pillion ride.
You may very well ask what is The Temple Society, so before continuing with the report here is a brief overview of The Temple Society as per the information gleaned from their updated information sheet April 2009.
The Temple Society is an independent, non-dogmatic Christian community founded in south west Germany by Christopher Hoffmann and his friends in 1861.
They are a religious society because they believe that human beings have something of the divine within and so are spiritual temples of God.
1868 - Beginning of carefully planned migration of Templers to the Holy Land (then part of the ottoman Empire). Over many years urban and rural settlements with church halls and schools, and farm, commercial, trade and transport enterprises were established in a number of locations including Jerusalem, Haifa and Jaffa. The faith and ideas of the Templers also spread to Germans in Russia and USA.
1921 - Those Templers interned in Egypt in WWI returned to their settlements in Palestine (now a British Mandate). The settlements soon flourished again.
1939 - German Templers were interned in Palestine at the outbreak of WWII.
1941 - Over 500 Templers from Palestine were transported to Australia where internment continued.
1946-47 - Dispersal from internment.
1948 - State of Israel formed. Templers cannot return to their homes; those left had to leave. Most now live in Australia and Germany.
1950 - Formation of the Temple Society Australia with dr. Richard O. Hoffmann as regional Head. Over the years church halls and community centre were established at Boronia, Bayswater and Bentleigh in Melbourne, at Meadowbank in Sydney and at Tanunda in S.A.
1970 - Australian and German Temple regions linked formally by the appointment of dr. R.O. Hoffmann as President of the Temple Society.
1972 - Templer Home for the Aged opened in Bayswater - greatly expanded since.
1979 - Tabulam Nursing Home, located next to the Templer Home for the Aged, begun as a joint undertaking with the Australian-German Welfare Society. Over 100 aged people are now cared for in homes.
1981 - New youth clubroom and school rooms completed at Bayswater.
1989 - Link between Sydney Templers and St Hedwig Homes for the Aged, Blacktown.
1990's - 'Templer Village' residential unit development in Bayswater; Kids' Club, Australian-German Templer Exchange, Country Victoria Templer Groups established.
2000's - 50 years of Temple Society in Australia celebrated. Templer Home and Tabulam merge - now Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged. Community Chapel built in Bayswater 2002, Otto Lobert Wing at TTHA in 2004, Boronia Hall heritage listed in 2003, sold in 2004, Warrina Wing at TTHA in 2008.
The day started with some members meeting at Chris and Sharyn's for a 10.00 am departure, it was clear that Chris was a good mentor and Dean was an extremely good student for Dean arrived a little late just like Chris has done during his 2 years as President, but Johnno, Bob, Jean, Sharyn and Chris were patient and waited for the President.
Bob, Sharyn, Jean and Johnno checking his watch whilst waiting for Dean.
Arriving at the Temple Society we found Taxi was already onsite at the VMMA display area, table and chairs were provided by the Society and we set up our display and banner.
VMMA members who attended were Dean, Tracey, Bob, Jean, Johnno, Taxi, Phil, Keith, Chris, Sharyn, Dave, Sandra and Danny.
The event took place at the Temple Society - Bayswater complex of which the following other organisations also contributed by having displays METEC, Connex, Metlink, Bicycle Victoria, Walking School Bus, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Smokebuster Bus, Victoria Police and the Holden Enthusiasts Club.
Victoria Police and Metropolitan Fire Brigade
We were lucky that our stall/display was nicely placed under a large shade tree on the entry path to the event and was very well patronised by those seeking a pillion ride (some 60 plus rides for the day) and those enquiring on our association.
The Andy Strapz Pillion Belts recently purchased by the VMMA and some members (thank you Richo) were utilised during the day, reports were positive that pillions felt much more secure as a pillion with the belts.
The Temple Society provided writers to register pillion riders and to arrange a ride for them while Jean and Sharyn assisted with the fitting of the appropriate safety clothing.
Jean fitting safety clothing. One pillion waiting for his rider.
The event commenced at 11.00 am and concluded around 3.00 pm even though people still continued to request a pillion ride, unfortunately we had to close off the registrations. Both Jean & Bob's trike and Keith's sidecar were very popular for rides whilst the solo's continued to all day.
This particular community base event was very rewarding to all those who attended and a number of friendships developed during the day.
Blind from birth having her 1st ride.
One of the memorable rides of the day was a young blind lady (blind from birth) who had been talking for a number of weeks that she would have a ride on a motorcycle, well with a good number of her friends in attendance and giving her confidence we finally had her in the passenger seat of the trike with Johnno riding it. At first the confidence was wavering but Johnno was instructed by her that if she wanted to stop the rider she would signal to him to stop immediately, this did not take place and a number of loops around the grounds found a very happy smiling young lady at the conclusion of the ride.
VMMA display and a very expecting sidecar pillion.
Finally it was time to depart but Dean, Tracey, Chris, Sharyn and Johnno decide a ride would make the day complete, so off we went up to Ferntree Gully, Gembrook, Olinda, Seville, Yellingbo, Don Valley, Healesville and finally stopping at Yarra Glen to say our good bye's, but not just yet it was then decided to have dinner at the Lilydale International Club (Highly recommended).
Reported by CW
