May 2006 Who’s News

The MSTCV Home Page at www.mstcv.net.au took 439 hits during May (down 57 from last month) and has taken 29,679 since April 1996. The new itinerary is up for the period June, July, August and September. (I have also photocopied a few hard copy ones.) On the Visitors page I have expanded the Frequently Asked Questions page, trying to answer the most obvious and repetitive questions, and give potential Club riders a better understanding of where our club fits in the market. Let me know if there are other things you think should be explained. Any other constructive feedback is welcome.

Seen at the Annual General Meeting held at the Club Hall on Thursday May 4^th: Ian Payne, Ben Warden, Paul Southwell, Trevor Harris, Martin Hastie, Lyn Duncan, Breht Emmerson, Peter Philferan, Peter Feistl, Joel Haley, Mark Rigsby, Ron Johnston (12 members), Barbara Rolfe, Julie Warden, Jarrod and Umberto from St Johns Ambulance, guest speakers for the night. Due to insufficient members present to form a quorum (4 short), the business of the AGM was unable to be conducted. It was decided to call a Special General Meeting for the following week, as per the Constitution. It is believed that this has never happened before and was very frustrating and disappointing for those who had made the effort.

Seen at the Special General Meeting at Mark’s Place on the May 11^th: Ian Payne, Ben and Julie Warden, Martin Hastie, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, Peter Philferan, Ron Johnston, Jason Peters, Ern Reeders, Paul Southwell, Mark Rigsby, Joel Haley, Renzo Cunico, Breht Emmerson and Peter Weyermayr. 16 people. Only 8 General Members and 4 Committee Members are required for a quorum at a Special General Meeting and we just scraped in.

Business of the AGM was conducted and the election of office bearers produced the following: President: Ian Payne, Vice President: Paul Southwell, Treasurer: Peter Feistl, Secretary: Ben Warden, Assistant Secretary: Lyn Duncan, Captain: Trevor Harris, Vice Captain Breht Emmerson, Editor: Ben Warden, Public Officer: Peter Feistl.

Membership fees are now due. Please complete the form at the rear of the magazine and return it with your membership fee. Full membership is $40 and Associate membership is $20 and is due before July 1^st. The money is used to help run the Club and pays for the printing of the magazine, itineraries, stationery, postage, hall hire, 50^th Anniversary Celebrations, etc. The Club is a non-profit organisation and relies on your continued support for its existence. Last year we had a drop in membership of three people; not significant, but of concern nevertheless. In these tough economic times with many interests competing for our leisure time and dollar, we need both financial and active riders more than ever.

The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating.

After a cold and miserable month with the consequent low turnouts (except for last Sunday: cold wet miserable yet still 16 people), here are the points scores after one month of the 2007 count: Ben Warden (8), Paul Southwell (7), Ron Johnston (7), Trevor Harris (7), Ian Payne (6), Lyn Duncan (5), Ern Reeders (3), Breht Emmerson (3), Joel Haley (4) and Ron Solomon (3). No changes for the month other than Joel moving up a place. The Committee is once again at the forefront though Ron Johnston is doing well representing the general members.

50^th Anniversary of the MSTC Dinner, 6.30 pm Saturday 19^th August, Mark’s Place. We have settled on the Function Room above Mark’s Place for a meal and get together. The night promises to be exciting with guest speakers, door prizes, a slide show and interviews. Mark’s Place will put on a buffet pizza and pasta feed. Drinks will be served at bar prices. Tickets are $20 per person and in the first instance are limited to current members and partners. We expect to limit places to 60 people. No ticket, no entry. The deadline to commit for current members is Saturday 5^th August after which we will open invitations to select past members. Payment details as per the membership form to guarantee tickets.

Front Cover: Lyn Duncan adjusting the compression damping on her beloved Suzuki GSXR1000.

Email form Marty Thompson, Friday 26^th May 2006. I binned the Hornet yesterday, turning left from Racecourse Road onto the City Link towards West Gate Bridge. A truck had deposited a copious quantity of diesel right through the turn. Thankfully, I was following a semi-trailer through, so was only doing 50-60 km/h. Bike is rideable, just, but needs a new clutch lever to make it safely rideable. I have a suspected broken/fractured/cracked/bruised rib. (I haven't been to the quack, but have done ribs enough times now to know, unfortunately.) Bike sustained all the usual cosmetic damage including bent handlebars, clutch lever cactus, muffler covers, engine cover, duct-tail, sub-frame bent. Not too bad considering the bike backed itself into the Armco railing. If you have a broadcast email set up, maybe warn other riders of the spill. It's dangerous. I have already told the RTA.

On the Toora ride, both Ron Solomon and Dave Ward managed to run out of petrol. Ian Payne helped Ron push his bike 600 or 700 meters while Dave, separated from the group, ended up pushing the Brutale for 6 km. He arrived home well after the group, a lot fitter than before the ride. All slept well.