Mates leaning on each other for a good cause

UP THE MOUNTAIN... This year's Skeeta Memorial Ride crew have raised $8,000 for GV Hospice. Pictured from left Steven Trelfall, Ricky Phillips, Maree Chin, Andy Cleaves, Louise Moylan, Jodie Stradling, Mark Hyland, Erica Varapodio, Cailen William, Madi Nicholson, Dave Fairless, Wendy Ross, Rob Palma, Haydan Blackwell and seated are Annie Jorgensen, Scott Russell and Rachael Kubeil. Photo by: Emma Harrop

By Aaron Cordy

A TREK to Wonnangatta Station in the Victorian Alps on postie bikes is no cruise down the freeway. It is lower range four-wheel drive country, a tough slog on the postie bike. For the crew at Goulburn Valley Motorcycle Club, the yearly Skeeta Memorial Ride up the mountain may be a gruelling test of character and postie bike endurance, but it’s why they make the trek that shows the character of GVMC is far higher than the mountain they ascend. Last week GVMC made their 11th generous donation to GV Hospice with money raised on the Skeeta Memorial Ride. The $8K raised this year brings the total to over $53.5K donated by the club.

Members of GVMC know all too well the care and compassion provided by GV Hospice to people in some of the hardest times of their lives.

“I can’t express how much they [GV Hospice] do for families not only during the hard times. Members of the club have had first-hand experience with the bravery of GV Hospice staff and the continued support for those left behind,” said GVMC president Rob ‘The King’ Palma.

This year saw 28 riders and 16 support crew in four-wheel drives tackle the terrain to Wonnangatta Station, where they enjoyed a three-course meal and dug deep with auctions and donations for GV Hospice.

UP THE MOUNTAIN… This year’s Skeeta Memorial Ride crew have raised $8,000 for GV Hospice. Pictured from left Steven Trelfall, Ricky Phillips, Maree Chin, Andy Cleaves, Louise Moylan, Jodie Stradling, Mark Hyland, Erica Varapodio, Cailen William, Madi Nicholson, Dave Fairless, Wendy Ross, Rob Palma, Haydan Blackwell and seated are Annie Jorgensen, Scott Russell and Rachael Kubeil. Photo by: Emma Harrop

The camaraderie shared on the trek by GVMC members is matched by their generosity and that of Shepparton Motorcycles and Trelly’s Outdoors among others who happily donate to the auction, and the proceeds go to GV Hospice.

‘King’ Rob Palma would love to see not only the ride, but the generosity associated with it continue to grow and welcomes anyone who wants to get involved to give him a call.

“Last year we gave $7K, this year it’s $8K, next year we want to reach $9K. So, if anyone wants to get involved, they can give me a call. It’s all about mates leaning on each other.”

If anyone is interested in getting involved in next year’s Skeeta Memorial Ride, either with a donation, being part of the four-wheel drive support crew or tackling the trek on a postie bike, give ‘King’ Rob Palma a call on 0419 142 297.

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