HCEMC Minutes September 2026
HCEMC. 14th September 2026 Minutes
Present: Andrew Buckley, Paul Riley, Graeme Dodge, Brian De Ridder, Joe Fishburn, John Ogden, Chris Balven, Chris Tidyman, Lance Robertson, Colin Bradley, Mick Lendrum, Michael Callaghan, Bruce Leavitt*, Colin Sims, Jeff Andrews, Grant Douch, John Mackay, Anthony Howard, Kevin Tubb, Ron Broadhead, Bruce Denson*, Mark Clark, Robin Gonero, Paul Roodenrys, Colin Bradley. (* denotes new member)
Apologies: Sholto Hayes, Jo Irvine, P White, Luke Sheridan
Meeting Opened at 1907: Welcome by Michael Callaghan
Accepted previous meetings minutes: John Ogden, Colin Bradley
President’s Report:
1. Thanks to Mal, Jo and Chalks for their support of a great memorial ride on 13th. Ride attended by around 20 members, glorious weather and a good ride to Nepean Dam where Mal had stolen the spot Ulysses Club had picked for lunch. Many thanks for Mal and Chalks for their culinary expertise, and Joe for his wrangling the Werai part of the event.
2. Christmas Party confusion. Michael apologised for any confusion as to who could attend the Christmas Party. Michael said he had been initially appalled when he read the minutes and found it hard to believe a group of men for whom he had great respect would be so mean spirited as to limit the party to members only. While he said at the next meeting, he wasn’t angry, he was disappointed and he felt he’d shamed the committee into allowing guests to attend so long as they paid for themselves. Michael apologised for the perceived anguish caused by this confusion. Accordingly, a new vote in two parts was to be taken.
First part – whether to allow members who want to bring a guest to do so or whether we abandon the spirit of Christmas and keep the party to ourselves.
This was voted 21 for, 2 against. Guests will be allowed at the party.
Second part- As guests are not financial members, should the club pay for them?
This was voted 13 for and 10 against. Guests will be paid for by the club.
A valid comment was made after this vote that we should be supporting our partners and shouldn’t be miserable; we should pay for our partners too.
3. The Club Calendar had been a problem for a little while and some felt they weren’t aware of what was coming up. A complaint about not being informed of what rides were on had been made. Michael apologised for this issue and took responsibility for it. Rob Hanna explained the technical issue that had occurred to the calendar and that it was now rectified. The calendar isn’t the only place for gleaning information about rides. Meeting minutes, President’s Report, and email messages immediately prior to rides enable everyone to know what is upcoming. If you aren’t getting emails like this, please let the Committee know. One problem appears to be if an email is unopened for a few days, it can go to spam. There have been isolated cases of people not receiving them so please let us know. Rob is happy to take any website issues.
4. Some members have enquired about the possibility of getting club t shirts again.
You can order them via the website from Phresh T shirts in Wollongong.
Is there interest in a bulk order to be on sold by the club? Prices are not confirmed yet by estimated to be around $25-30.
Vote for t shirts and polo shirts-
13 for t shirts
6 for polo shirts
Prices by next meeting.
5. Defibrillator- At this point Michael attempted to make funny with his current joke on this subject. The old defibrillator is almost two years old, the company has gone out of business, batteries aren’t available. We can get a new unit for $1345 from First Aid Kits Australia. This unit has a battery with a 4-year shelf life and 8 years warranty.
Vote- unanimous
6. First aid kits- It has been suggested the club make up approximately 6 kits to ensure there is one on every ride. For example- Mick Lendrum for his ride, John Diaz for the dirt bike ride, Graham Dodge and Joe Dunlop for Sunday rides, and a couple of regular Thursday riders. Because we are looking to purchase the defibrillator from First Aid Kits Australia, they have a bumbag kit which would be suitable for our purposes. This will be a stock kit from them, plus three additional items at Paul Riley’s suggestion (an additional crepe bandage, additional sling, and a Chlorhexidine bottle – to prevent infections in open wounds). The biggest advantage in this is the bumbag has its own strap for your waist, and the price of the kit (before the additional 3 items) is only $25.95!
So, it won’t be much more for the extra items.
Vote- Unanimous
An additional 14 people asked for their own kits.
7. Sunday Coffee Rides- The idea of themed coffee rides was put out last month with the first ‘brand’ being Honda. Neither participant had a Honda! Next Coffee ride, on the Long Weekend, will be a BMW theme. Surely, we will get at least a couple of these along. Most popular bike as agreed by participants, will get a coffee and snack paid for by the club (so long as the treasurer or president have their EFTPOS cards on them!).
8. Selling bikes- John Diaz floated the idea of a Facebook page to have posts available where members can advertise bikes and parts for sale. The suggestion was members can post and anyone can see. Our page is private, so content is only visible to members. There are two ways to do this- one is to make the page public which opens us up to Nigerian scammers and admin must weed out these scammers. The other is to have a public page where only the owner can post, so admin must be involved. Similarly, all replies must be vetted by admin. Either way, there is a significant amount of work involved to maintain integrity of the site.
Our website can be used to sell within the club. Our Facebook page can also be used for this purpose. If you’d like assistance with putting something there, please contact the committee. Paul Riley can help you post any ad on our website.
There are over 50 Facebook pages where you can sell motorcycles and parts. Most of these have well more than 1000 members. Maintenance of such a page is time consuming.
9. Three-day ride October 16th to 18th.
a. First day to Orbost (around 500km) via Bonang Road (few, if any trucks now!). Stay at Orbost Country Road Motel (you could stay at the Orbost Hotel- if you don’t value your life!).
b. Second day to Corryong Mountain View Motel, via Great Alpine Way (Omeo and Mitta Mitta), with an option through Walwa if you haven’t had enough corners by then, around 400km.
c. Final day home via Alpine Way or Elliots Way, or through Tumbarumba, 400-480km.
10. Charity donation-It has been a customary tradition to give $1000 to a local charity around November. This year John Ogden spoke to giving to Can Assist as they are not only local and totally volunteer based but a genuine charity that is obviously doing a lot of good.
Vote- Unanimous
Treasurer’s Report: Joe Fishburn
August-
Interest- $ 10.76
Membership- $ 310.00
Raffle- $ 94.00
Outgoing- $ 38.70
Statement 1- $ 197.00
Statement 2- $ 213.51
Savings- $ 9908.75
Total available- $ 10,319.26
$114 spent on drinks at the memorial ride on 13th September, plus food.
Membership Report: Rob Hanna
160 members paid up
1 outstanding unpaid invoice- this member is approaching a point where he will be dismembered!!!
New Members-
Bruce Leavitt spoke of coming from Cleveland Ohio, now living in Bundanoon, retiring next year. He has worked for the NRMA, also in construction in Las Vegas, returned to Oz in 2010, his partner has a Can Am, Bruce owns a 2019 KTM 1290 Adventure S, an R1250 GS Trophy, and a 2016 Teneré. Bruce is joining for camaraderie, and to discuss life’s journey. Welcome Bruce.
Bruce Denson mentioned he has a Moto Guzzi with a sidecar, something the Guzzi people seem not too pleased with. Bruce spent 9 months in Prince of Wales Hospital a few years ago after an auto immune disease left him paralysed. He wants now to enjoy his riding and will be working to design a suitable gear-lever to accommodate his less than flexible ankle.
Welcome Bruce.
Secretary’s/Safety Officer’s Report: Paul Riley
Safety officer talk was on using the rear brake to control low speed manoeuvres.
This was because using both feet as outriggers at low speed means the only brake you have if you need to stop quickly is the front. At low speeds and leaned slightly over and applying the front brake can be disastrous.
It was particularly thoughtful of the President to introduce the safety section of the meeting with a question about a wardrobe malfunction and overbalance that had occurred to a member. This was, of course, directed at Paul Riley who had caught his jeans on the gear-lever when stopping and subsequently fell next to the gutter, damaging the fairing on his beloved Yamaha! Thanks Mr President!!!!
Club members are reminded that they must:
· Have a fully registered or club plated and roadworthy motorcycle.
· Follow all road rules including those involving blood alcohol limits, speeding and safe passing.
The club strongly recommends: An ATGATT approach to riding
: On Club Rides selecting a lead and following riders
: Having a pre-ride brief on likely road conditions and possible hazards.
· Club Members are reminded that club rides do not finish at the destination
Upcoming Day Rides:
20th September- Sunday Depart for Gunning at 10:00AM.
Thursday rides (24th September and 8th October) note Spring start time of 9:00AM for 9:30AM Depart.
27th September- Sunday Cars and coffee
30th September- Wednesday 9:00AM for 9:30AM start for Southern Highland Imperial Tour ride.
4th October- Sunday 10:00AM -12:00PM Coffee ride, BMW theme (note- long weekend ride).
10th October – Monday next Club meeting 7:00PM
Ride Reports-
Mick- Moto Guzzi 3-day ride to Neville, Carcoar, Lagan, Taralga a great success and enjoyable.
Brian- Thursday ride where riders were interviewed by Win News.
Paul Roodenrys- Tuena lunch ride a great day and roads. Pub can now do lunches but are still rebuilding so nothing elaborate.
Colin- Recent five countries west tour (in Europe) spectacular. Hot weather, had to carry all your own gear. Italy the best part, they understand speed limits have their place!
Rob- Dirt bike ride to Burragorang spectacular scenery, very steep ride at times but well worth it.
Raffle winners
1st ticket D86- Graham Dodge- Keyring
2nd ticket R31- Rod Broadhead- Book
3rd ticket D20- Graham Dodge- HD Ashtray
4th ticket – Chris Tidyman- Book
Meeting Closed at 2022.
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