Club co-founder, Chris Manhal, has written a eulogy to Russell MacDonald, who passed away last month.

Hi folks,

I would have liked to have spoken these words at the time I attended the memorial service in Ballarat for my good friend, Russell MacDonald. Unfortunately, the stars did not align, so post-written words will have to suffice.

I had the privilege of meeting Russ (through the SR Club) many years ago, and over the ensuing years, he became a valued and reliable friend, as was attested by the many fine folk who attended his service on the day.

My timing was fortunate, as I visited Russ in hospital only a day before he sadly passed away.

During my visit, I learned something of the man I did not already know – we were kindred spirits in our love of a good jam doughnut. 😊

So Christine and my partner Nicky went to get a few bags of fine jam doughnuts, from a shop they found in Ballarat. Meanwhile, Russ and I talked on. At one point in our conversation, he looked up at me and said, “I didn`t realise I touched so many people”, to which I replied, “You’re a good man Russell”, and at the end of the day, that is the simple truth.

Our partners returned with the best doughnuts, and the image of Russ so absolutely enjoying the doughnuts is indelibly etched in my mind. As sad as it all is, this good man enjoyed life as well as possible to the end.

Rest in peace.

Your friend, Christov. 😌

 

The Club has purchased a piece of medical equipment, in memory of our long-time member and ex-President, Andy Hunt.

The Philips Everflo oxygen concentrator is a very useful and portable device that takes in air and removes nitrogen from it, producing an oxygen-enriched gas which can be inhaled by patients who, if unassisted, may otherwise suffer from low oxygen levels in the bloodstream.

The device was donated to Western Health, which provided invaluable support to Andy during his illness, and with this purchase, we hope that many more patients will benefit from it.

A plaque has been affixed to the device, as can be seen in the photo below.

Thank you to Annette and Nurse Emilie for helping us with the purchase.

Each year, in the lead up to our Rally in November, we take time to carefully choose a worthwhile charity to donate a portion of our Club funds to. The chosen charity often influences the colours we choose for the Rally badge.

At our monthly general meeting in August, the Committee and members present decided that this year we will donate $1,000 to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Using colours that the ASRC uses on their website and social media, we have decided on a tri-colour design for this year’s badge. They are now in production and will be ready in time for the Rally. Everyone who attends and has paid the Rally entry fee will receive a badge.

We hope you like this year’s design. See you in Bethanga in November!

For more info on the charities we’ve supported previously, please click here.

Details of Russell’s funeral have been published by the Ballarat Courier:

A memorial will be held on Saturday 23rd September at Ballarat Rovers Motorcycle Club Rooms, Building 25, Ballarat Airport. Camping facilities will be available. Russell’s last ride will commence from the Ballarat Yacht Club at 1.30pm finishing at the Rovers Club rooms. He has requested as much noise as possible with plenty of bikes and cars. Open mic for those wishing to share words or stories.

Anyone who wishes to attend are invited to meet us at the BP Rockbank Outbound Truckstop on the Western Fwy (M8) at 11.00am for a 11.30am departure to ride en masse to the Ballarat Yacht Club.

We are very saddened to advise that Russell MacDonald has passed away.

Russell passed away in Ballarat on Wednesday, September 13, after a short illness.

Russell joined the SR500 Club back in 2000, becoming member #91 and became a valued and respected member.

He will be remembered fondly for his contribution to the Club in helping to run our annual Rallies, his riding prowess, extensive knowledge of motorcycles and their maintenance, his attention to detail in keeping his own collection of motorcycles in pristine condition, and as a fiercely loyal friend of many in the Club.

We saw a little less of Russell when he relocated to Clunes seven years ago, but we welcomed the opportunity to visit and stay the night when he extended an invitation to the Club a few years back.

In Clunes, Russell built an expansive ‘man cave’ to house his treasured collection of bikes and cars, and had enough land to farm sheep, pigs, and alpacas.

Our sincere condolences to Christine and all of Russell’s family and friends.

Details of Russell’s funeral will be posted when they are known.

RIP Thumper.

Last chance to respond if you’re interested. We will close ‘Expressions of Interest’ at the end of September.

First published 25 July 2023:

If you have attended our annual Rally at Bethanga, it can be difficult (and potentially embarrassing!) trying to remember the names of other members of the Club who you may only see once a year. This issue may be amplified if you also attend events or meet-ups during the year with other motorcycle clubs.

You may have noticed that some other motorcycle clubs (e.g. the VJMC) employ the use of name badges to help alleviate this issue.

Subsequently, we are now seeking Expressions of Interest from any members who wish to purchase an SR500 Club-branded name badge (at a nominal cost per person, yet to be determined).

Please email the club at [email protected] if you are interested.

Please note that VicRoads has identified that due to a processing error, around 2,000 club permit renewals were recently sent out to various car and motorcycle clubs without the inclusion of new logbooks.

VicRoads is in the process of rectifying the issue by sending all affected permit holders their respective logbooks asap.

Attention Club Permit holders

VicRoads has made an error with the expiry year on some July Club Permit renewals, which have been printed and issued with incorrect expiry dates (2023, instead of 2024).

This error impacts renewals with an expiry between 1st and 25th July 2024.

Impacted members are still able to use this notice for payment of their Club Permit, but once paid, VicRoads will issue the correct label for your motorcycle and your logbook.

VicRoads will be writing to impacted customers and will be re-issuing renewal notices with the correct dates.

The issue is limited to Club Permit vehicle renewals only and does not impact driver licences or normal vehicle renewals.

Should you have any further concerns or require further guidance, please contact VicRoads.

We are very saddened to advise that long-time Club member, Andy Hunt, has passed away.

Andy passed away peacefully at home in Ballan on Saturday, May 27, after a long illness, surrounded by his family.

Andy joined the SR500 Club way back at its formation in 1998, becoming member #007, and he remained an active, valued and respected member ever since.

Andy served as Club President for seven years, from 2008 to 2015.

He will be remembered fondly for his efforts in helping to organise our annual rallies, gymkhanas, trophies, Club rides, and trips to Tasmania.

In recognition of Andy’s dedication to the Club, he was made a Lifetime member in 2009.

Our sincere condolences to Annette, daughters Alana and Tara, son-in-law, Ben, and all of Andy’s family and friends.

RIP Andy.

Funeral and wake

Andy’s funeral will take place on Thursday, June 1, at 10.30am at Pat Cashin Funerals, 1114 Doveton St N, Ballarat (parking on Armstrong St N), followed by a Celebration of Life at Ballan Bowls Club, 5 Cowie St, Ballan.

Andy’s final wish was to have as many motorbikes, trucks and cars as possible for a convoy back to Ballan. Leading the convoy will be his blue Western Star truck, followed by his Norton and Hilux, with other motorbikes to follow. The dress code is ‘casual’. In lieu of flowers, Andy’s family would appreciate any donations to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation. A donation tin will be available.

Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers is closing down.

Not too much SR400/500 stuff left, but it may be worthwhile visiting and having a look through what is left for something that may be suitable for your SR and/or project bike, e.g.  shock absorbers, kickstart levers, foot pegs, centre stands, etc.

Plus there is an SR400 in the entry area which is largely intact.

Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers
Address: 52-54 Mologa Rd, Heidelberg West, VIC 3081
Phone: (03) 9457 1733
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.victorianmotorcyclewreckers.com.au