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I have just returned from the 2019 Oz Day Rally which was jointly organised by our own Andy Greenslade of The South West Scooter Club Alliance and a group of like-minded Aussie scooterists. This collaboration was two years in the making and was an incredible undertaking. What started out as ‘just’ a rally in the Aussie city of Adelaide grew into a rally and tour of the Southern Continent and a series of rallies and events across Australia.

 

I have to say well done to Andy and all the guys and gals who helped make this epic event so legendary. Andy and the SWSCA had in the past organised joint USA rallies, in Vegas, Florida and one in Miami and these were great fun but Oz was a whole new ball game. My wife’s family live in Perth in Australia so I had been before and I was keen to explore the rest of the country and in the company of like-minded Scooterists it was just a win, win.

 

About 100 Brits and Americans made the trip in all and whilst everyone did the Adelaide rally, due to work commitments etc. probably only thirty odd made the entire tour. Naturally as well as Andy and Ness, Stuart Lanning and Michaela, there were a hardcore of South West Scooterists from various clubs as well as contingents from all over England and Scotland. Some flew into Adelaide, like my wife, via Perth and spent some time there where there is also a vibrant scooter scene. Others opted to spend a few days in Singapore first, but most arrived in Adelaide by Thursday the 24th of January.

 

Brits abroad Brits abroad

 

Getting hot

 

Adelaide was boiling hot with temperatures exceeding 46 degrees on the Friday. It’s a very friendly modern and clean city. The city centre is basically a square design with all the streets laid out on a grid pattern and as it’s only a couple of miles across so it was easy to find your way about. Most Brits and visiting Aussie Scooterists, as well as at least four Americans, stayed in two hotels which were side by side on the south side of the city. A few hundred yards away there was a tramline which was free to use inside the city and could take you straight out to the beach at nearby Glenelg.

 

Due to currency fluctuations, it was about 8 dollars for a beer and that was a schooner as the Aussies call it, which is about ¾ of a pint, though in some places they had happy hours. This equates to about £5 a pint and most pubs could do you a meal i.e. steak and chips for about 10 dollars.

 

Andy Greenslade, SWSC. The smile of a man who has successfully exported a bunch of misfits and criminals to Australia Andy Greenslade, SWSC. The smile of a man who has successfully exported a bunch of misfits and criminals to Australia

 

Has anybody seen Steve?

 

Both hotels were filling up with Brits by Thursday and also Aussie Scooterist contingents from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin and other places. Many of these included expats, some of whom I knew and many of these were called Steve (it’s true!) and many more were ‘natural’ Aussies who were so friendly and helpful it was great.

 

On Thursday night there was a meet and greet arranged at the Astor Hotel which was about a five minutes walk from our hotel. Andy, Ness and Buster had laid out the welcome packs upstairs, they came in the largest SIP bags I have ever seen, you could have got a PX engine in one. These contained your wristbands, T-shirts (if you ordered one), the rally programme, patches, stickers and other goodies. The Astor was a great venue and did an extended happy hour for 6 dollars for a schooner of beer or really nice cider. There was lots of hugging as people caught up with old mates they hadn’t seen over the winter, or some expats met up with old friends. This went on till about midnight and a few of us found another bar just down the road that stayed open to the wee small hours and I don’t remember going to bed that night.

 

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On the Friday the Southsiders SC organised a ride out to the Glenelg Beach and its surf club from outside our hotel. Mark Cotterell from our club borrowed a scooter from local expat Steve Miller to take part in this event, whilst me and the missus jumped on the tram. Whilst I was there I bumped into another ex-Confederate SC clubmate (and Modrapheniac) Julian Young who had been visiting Oz on an extended three-month trip. Julian had visited various Oz cities and stayed mostly with old scootering pals. Then in Sydney, he stayed with another old Modrapheniac mate who builds lovely Lambrettas. This was, of course, another  Steve (Diffy). Steve rode his Lambretta from Sydney to the rally and loaned Julian another for the trip, both had 5-speed boxes. They also drove the direct route, which is through the outback and a distance of 856 miles in 46-degree heat… mental! And they made it without a hiccup. Hopefully Julian will write a story of his trip for us (if he ever comes home).

 

Surfs up

 

Glenelg Surf Club, which overlooked the beach was the venue for the day and probably two hundred scooterists attended the event and it was great fun. About 4 pm everyone headed back to the hotel and got prepped for the evening’s fun. This was at the nearby Astor Hotel again and that night a local Ramones tribute band were playing and discs were spun by our very own South West DJ Terry Walters, as well as expat Geoff Ventress, Alan Taylor and Todd Cavender. Again a great night was had by everyone and the bar stayed open till about 1 am.

 

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Australia Day

 

Saturday the 26th of January was Australia Day and is the official National Holiday for Oz. It celebrates the day the first British Fleet arrived in Oz in 1788, claimed the land and planned to run it as an ex-offenders institute. For today the Dynamos Scooter Club had organised another ride out which would end up at Port Adelaide with a show and shine custom show by the lighthouse on the wharf. I’ve got to say I thought the trophies were very individual, as different groups had donated them and they were quite funky.

 

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The scooters were a nice mixture of scoots with a few autos and Scomadis in there as well, nothing too moddy and some tasty Lambretta street racer types. I was told because of state laws it would be hard to get anything too radical on the road, so cut downs were ok but radical chops etc. would be hard to get approved. It was great to see the vintage Rabbit scoot. I was told that in the big cities of Melbourne the GTS and Scomadis are popular commuter bikes with Joe public but some scooter clubs are for geared scoots only.

 

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Custom show results

 

Best Lambretta: Steve Diffy’s series 2 he rode from Sydney on.

Best Vespa: YYU50B, Biggsy’s

Best Rat: Lammy Li Rat, Jimbo

Best Custom: GP street racer, Martin Lindley.

 

Best other: The Rabbit

Best Auto: The Rabbit

 

Best build off: Lambretta Series 1, Steve Miller

Best in Show: Steve Miller’s Lambretta

 

Best represented club: Southsiders SC

 

Furthest Ridden: Steve Diffy

 

Furthest Travelled: Sam from Boston

 

 

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That evening the fun and frolics occurred again at the Astor Hotel with Terry and co spinning the discs and two local bands laid on. One, a Fistful of Trojans played guess what ?? and the other was The Saucermen a local Adelaide Neo-Rockabilly outfit. Again another fun-filled night was had by all until the wee small hours.

 

Nice PX mate... Nice PX mate…

 

The next day, the Sunday, another ride out was planned by the Lambretta Club of South Australia and three coaches were also laid on so everyone could go, it was about an hour’s ride to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood with a break at the Big Rocking Horse. I kid you not it is a giant rocking horse by a toy factory that makes wooden toys and has a café and petting area where you can feed Wallabies, Koalas and get spat at by a Camel. Then after everyone had the chance to have a wee, we went on to Birdwood and the museum which had a pub just opposite, how convenient!? Here an 8ft long brown snake was spotted crossing the road which was a reminder just how many poisonous things there are in Oz.

 

We had a deal with the museum so all Scooterists got in free, it featured many classic cars and some Aussie manufactured ones, including one or two from the MAD MAX series and lots of motorbikes and a couple of scooters. There was a funny mistake on one of the displays can u spot ii from my pictures? The clue is it calls a Lambretta GP a Vespa PX. Even Steve Berry would have got that one right, anyway it gave us a good chuckle. Again, it was a great day out and very friendly fun.

 

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That night a fun evening was planned at the Crown and Sceptre pub on King William street (King Billy Street) a short tram ride away, or about a ten-minute walk from our hotel. It was planned as a Woolacombe style Sunday night with a fun local band called The Young and the Wrestlers who played a mixture of hits and they were great. A lot of people dressed up for this event and the band joined in wearing Nacho Libre masks and they had two buxom dancing ladies to accompany their set. I also have to say well done to Steve Miller who helped organise this night and he along with Chris and Kev (two other lads) did the full Nacho Libre outfits and entertained everyone with their display of unskilled wrestling. Chris a genuine Aussie is one of the funniest guys on the planet who several times had me in tears of laughter and I laughed so much it hurt. That evening was fantastic, and Terry Walters and Andy played the tunes when the band weren’t on and it was ace. I remember with my missus gently steering a very drunken Angela back to our hotel… you were ace, Angela.

 

Thus ended the first part of our trip and I must say Adelaide is a wonderful place and the locals scooterists and people are friendly and ace. It was really nice to meet Aussie born Scooterists who were able to say how their scene grew up in the late seventies and eighties in parallel to the British scene. They always welcome Brit expats into their fold (and there are loads) but remember it is their own Aussie scene.

 

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Melbourne

 

The next port of call was to be Melbourne and some people were going to drive the Great Coast Road route with a night stop at Apollos Bay, a seaside resort along the way. This is also called the Diggers Highway, as the road was dug at the start by ex-soldiers after the First World War, called Diggers because of their experiences in the trenches. It is a spectacular road, going along the coast with stunning cliffs and beaches. One amazing spot is called the Twelve Apostles, a series of rock stacks and another was Shipwreck Cove but more of that later.

 

Me and my missus arrived in Melbourne Monday evening and checked into the hotel that all the Brits were to be staying at. Melbourne is much bigger than Adelaide, in fact, it was once the capital of the country and is a fierce rival with Sydney. Most people think Sydney is Australia’s capital, but it never was, instead, it is Canberra but before that it was Melbourne as most locals are only too happy to remind you. The next day Terry had booked his missus and me and mine on a coach tour of the sites, which was ace as the driver gives you a history of the sites you pass as well as many funny tales.

 

Old mate Julian Young (right) with Bill Old mate Julian Young (right) with Bill

 

Small World

 

It was fascinating and we stopped off at The Apostles and Shipwreck Cove and we got off and were taking snaps. I then heard a familiar rattle and said to my missus that sounds like a two-stroke, like a Lammie even, my missus just nodded and gave me that ‘silly boy’ look. However, I was curious so I walked around the corner of the car park and sure enough but who did I bump into… Julian Young and Steve Diffy on their two Lambrettas. Lots of hugs ensued and I couldn’t believe it, they were also riding back to Sydney and Melbourne by going along the coastal route. This would add 300 miles to their journey, making their return trip about 1150 miles, in that heat. All in a 2000-mile round trip on two old Lambrettas, well ok one was a Jet 150 with a kit. I mean I was on the other side of the world and bump into an old mate on a scooter who used to live just up the road from me… unreal!

 

Tequila, it make you wappy Tequila, it make you wappy

 

That evening we met up with a load of other Brits who had now arrived in Melbourne and took over the pub across the road… It became a drink off with Jonah, Kev, Tez, Andy Lee, plus Pebbles, George and Tracey versus The Southerners. This began to get messy when people started to buy huge trays of shots of all sorts of vile drinks. I blame Mark Silus Cottrell for this as he started it but I am glad to say I was one of the last to leave the bar and only did so when asked by the staff as they wanted to shut and they had no more tequila… though I think they were fibbing about it.

 

It can't be safe? It can’t be safe?

 

Chuck another shrimp on the barbie

 

The next day Andy had arranged a boat and Barbie trip in the harbour for those that wanted to go so we headed down to Melbourne Harbour. There we saw three pink doughnut-shaped boats with cloth covered tops and in the middle of each boat was a gas barbeque. My wife refused to go on them as she thought they looked dodgy. Seven drunken Scooterists on an electrically powered boat in charge of a gas barbeque, I mean what could possibly go wrong? Naturally, a food fight ensued, and it was a surreal experience but a fun one. Then that night we headed downtown again to the Paradise Alley, a small bar that local Scooterists ran, most of the Aussie Scooterists from Adelaide were there now, as well as other local Aussie Scooterists. I was pleased to see Julian and Steve Diffy had arrived safely and more fun and drinking ensued and another great night was had.

 

 

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Sydney

 

The next day me and the missus left for Sydney, we flew from Melbourne and got in early. Sydney is about the size of London with its own Chinatown etc. The main city centre though is only a few miles long and sits right beside the famous harbour with its bridge and opera house. Most people were staying around Darling Harbour, which again is not far from the town hall. Sydney and its suburbs go on for miles, but the main city centre is easily navigable and not far from the main sights. Me and the missus were staying in a pub near to Darling Harbour, which was clean and very cheap (the Glasgow Arms) and from there we had all Friday to explore the city. We went on a free walking tour, which I recommend and had a look at the Harbour Bridge, The Opera House, and met up with someone my wife used to work with. That night we explored the city and met up with a load of the Brits at a pub by the famous bridge, with a rooftop bar, we saw a firework display over the Opera House opposite. I also learned these displays are nearly a nighttime occurrence, as the visiting cruise liners pay for the displays to entertain their passengers

 

Andy along with another ex-pat called Steve of course… Steve Byatt ex-Vikings, who now lives in Sydney had arranged a boat party in Sydney Harbour for the next day, the Saturday, should everyone arrive safely. Sure enough, as Saturday dawned me and the missus headed down the harbour and everyone began to meet up again, swapping more stories of their various adventures. I was also pleased to see Julian and Steve had made it safely back to Sydney on their Lambrettas after their epic trip.

 

This is one of the cleaner SLUK sticker photos we have from Oz, some of these people are just wrong... This is one of the cleaner SLUK sticker photos we have from Oz, some of these people are just wrong…

 

Scooterists – going places

 

The Boat when it turned up was a two-story affair with a bar, restaurant and dancefloor downstairs. Upstairs it had various viewing areas so you could see the sights. As we headed out, Andy, along With Geoff Ventress and Terry Walters spun the sounds and it was surreal, us all on a boat going under Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House. In 1981 I went to my first proper scooter rally in Skegness and there is no way I would have imagined nearly 38 years later I would be doing this in Oz with a bunch of likeminded Scooterists. Then one of the other highlights of the tour occurred when Ibbo of the Cheltenham Blue Diamonds did his party piece on the dancefloor. I did film it and the editor has a copy (not for family viewing) and some others have posted their versions on Facebook so you can check it out. Ibbo did an hilarious striptease and judging from how he did it is obvious this was not his first time as some of his moves seemed so well practised.

 

I was also well chuffed to bump into an old friend who had moved to Oz years before and thrilled to see he was still into his scoots. That was Martin Fane, ex-St Albans and Dirty Dozen SC, who came to our first Convicts events in Belfast all those years ago, these days he is in the Sydney Vespa Club and he was arranging to get some of his club to take me and a few of the lads on a scooter tour of the city the next day. It was a fabulous day and we all had a blast and Ibbo you are a legend.

 

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Viking barbeque

 

When the boat docked, we all headed to a local bar that Steve Byatt had sorted. It had an area roped off for us and we proceeded to get blind drunk. Later expat Chris Johnson (ex Bristol) and his missus took us to a Brazilian barbeque place, where at $48 dollars i.e. £30 you could eat as much as you wanted…We are talking 100% meat and it was gorgeous, every type of steak or rib, or cut was brought to you. Lamb, pork chicken, goose! God it was gorgeous. I am sorry if your vegan, but I don’t care. If you visit go, it’s in Tumbalong Park by Darling Harbour. After we stuffed ourselves we went back to the bar where only a hardcore was left.

 

The next Day Martin along with another ex-pat (called Steve naturally), Steve Buckland ex Brighton had got some of their mates from Sydney Vespa Club to pick me, Jonah, Tez , Andy and Kev up and take us on a scooter tour of the city. I went on the back of Martin on his PX 200 and we whizzed around the city, over the bridge and stopped by the bridge and then the Opera House. Then we all scooted off and headed to the south-east and on to the famous Bondi beach. After a look around we mounted up and this time headed for Bronte Beach, a beach more popular with the locals than Bondi. Smaller than its more famous namesake, it’s friendlier and has a lot more shade with trees near the beach and the shops were close too. This trip and day out on the scoots was one of the highlights of the tour. I also know Jonah, Tez, Andy and Kev loved it too. So thanks Martin, Stevio, Rory and Nick etc. I know a lot of the others who weren’t heading home that day caught the ferry to Manly Beach and headed there for the day.

 

Bon voyage to a great country and a fantastic experience Bon voyage to a great country and a fantastic experience

 

It’s all over

 

That night me and the missus did a ghost tour of Sydney’s Rock area which is the oldest part of the city. I found it hilarious, the only reason I mention it here is that as I bimbled along I heard “HEY Mac!” and bumped into Jonah and the guys and gals again… which sums up this trip. It was amazing how you just kept bumping into people when you least expected it. The next day we sadly had to leave for home and I was sad to go but full of very happy memories. Australia is a great place to go and in each of the major cities, there is a scooter scene that is very friendly and helpful to any visitors. It’s not cheap to get there and due to the exchange rates, it’s not cheap at all but well worth the trip.

 

Overall the Oz tour was ace, I have to thank Andy and Ness and all the Steve’s and other people who helped out, the DJs, Terry etc. were great, all the Brits who went, the expats who turned up and helped and of course to the Australian Scooterists who were the nicest people on the planet. If Andy does another in a couple of years, I would be up for it again, at times I laughed until I cried It was a wonderful experience.

 

Words and photos: Bill Mac

 

More photos on page 3…

 

Oz Day Rallery

New products always in development…

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

On the Friday the Southsiders SC organised a ride out to the Glenelg Beach and its surf club from outside our hotel. Mark Cotterell from our club borrowed a scooter from local expat Steve Miller to take part in this event, whilst me and the missus jumped on the tram. Whilst I was there I bumped into another ex-Confederate SC clubmate (and Modrapheniac) Julian Young who had been visiting Oz on an extended three-month trip. Julian had visited various Oz cities and stayed mostly with old scootering pals. Then in Sydney, he stayed with another old Modrapheniac mate who builds lovely Lambrettas. This was, of course, another  Steve (Diffy). Steve rode his Lambretta from Sydney to the rally and loaned Julian another for the trip, both had 5-speed boxes. They also drove the direct route, which is through the outback and a distance of 856 miles in 46-degree heat… mental! And they made it without a hiccup. Hopefully Julian will write a story of his trip for us (if he ever comes home).

 

Surfs up

 

Glenelg Surf Club, which overlooked the beach was the venue for the day and probably two hundred scooterists attended the event and it was great fun. About 4 pm everyone headed back to the hotel and got prepped for the evening’s fun. This was at the nearby Astor Hotel again and that night a local Ramones tribute band were playing and discs were spun by our very own South West DJ Terry Walters, as well as expat Geoff Ventress, Alan Taylor and Todd Cavender. Again a great night was had by everyone and the bar stayed open till about 1 am.

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

Australia Day

 

Saturday the 26th of January was Australia Day and is the official National Holiday for Oz. It celebrates the day the first British Fleet arrived in Oz in 1788, claimed the land and planned to run it as an ex-offenders institute. For today the Dynamos Scooter Club had organised another ride out which would end up at Port Adelaide with a show and shine custom show by the lighthouse on the wharf. I’ve got to say I thought the trophies were very individual, as different groups had donated them and they were quite funky.

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY
South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

The scooters were a nice mixture of scoots with a few autos and Scomadis in there as well, nothing too moddy and some tasty Lambretta street racer types. I was told because of state laws it would be hard to get anything too radical on the road, so cut downs were ok but radical chops etc. would be hard to get approved. It was great to see the vintage Rabbit scoot. I was told that in the big cities of Melbourne the GTS and Scomadis are popular commuter bikes with Joe public but some scooter clubs are for geared scoots only.

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

Custom show results

 

Best Lambretta: Steve Diffy’s series 2 he rode from Sydney on.

Best Vespa: YYU50B, Biggsy’s

Best Rat: Lammy Li Rat, Jimbo

Best Custom: GP street racer, Martin Lindley.

 

Best other: The Rabbit

Best Auto: The Rabbit

 

Best build off: Lambretta Series 1, Steve Miller

Best in Show: Steve Miller’s Lambretta

 

Best represented club: Southsiders SC

 

Furthest Ridden: Steve Diffy

 

Furthest Travelled: Sam from Boston

 

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY
South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

That evening the fun and frolics occurred again at the Astor Hotel with Terry and co spinning the discs and two local bands laid on. One, a Fistful of Trojans played guess what ?? and the other was The Saucermen a local Adelaide Neo-Rockabilly outfit. Again another fun-filled night was had by all until the wee small hours.

 

Nice PX mate...
Nice PX mate…

 

The next day, the Sunday, another ride out was planned by the Lambretta Club of South Australia and three coaches were also laid on so everyone could go, it was about an hour’s ride to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood with a break at the Big Rocking Horse. I kid you not it is a giant rocking horse by a toy factory that makes wooden toys and has a café and petting area where you can feed Wallabies, Koalas and get spat at by a Camel. Then after everyone had the chance to have a wee, we went on to Birdwood and the museum which had a pub just opposite, how convenient!? Here an 8ft long brown snake was spotted crossing the road which was a reminder just how many poisonous things there are in Oz.

 

We had a deal with the museum so all Scooterists got in free, it featured many classic cars and some Aussie manufactured ones, including one or two from the MAD MAX series and lots of motorbikes and a couple of scooters. There was a funny mistake on one of the displays can u spot ii from my pictures? The clue is it calls a Lambretta GP a Vespa PX. Even Steve Berry would have got that one right, anyway it gave us a good chuckle. Again, it was a great day out and very friendly fun.

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY
South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

That night a fun evening was planned at the Crown and Sceptre pub on King William street (King Billy Street) a short tram ride away, or about a ten-minute walk from our hotel. It was planned as a Woolacombe style Sunday night with a fun local band called The Young and the Wrestlers who played a mixture of hits and they were great. A lot of people dressed up for this event and the band joined in wearing Nacho Libre masks and they had two buxom dancing ladies to accompany their set. I also have to say well done to Steve Miller who helped organise this night and he along with Chris and Kev (two other lads) did the full Nacho Libre outfits and entertained everyone with their display of unskilled wrestling. Chris a genuine Aussie is one of the funniest guys on the planet who several times had me in tears of laughter and I laughed so much it hurt. That evening was fantastic, and Terry Walters and Andy played the tunes when the band weren’t on and it was ace. I remember with my missus gently steering a very drunken Angela back to our hotel… you were ace, Angela.

 

Thus ended the first part of our trip and I must say Adelaide is a wonderful place and the locals scooterists and people are friendly and ace. It was really nice to meet Aussie born Scooterists who were able to say how their scene grew up in the late seventies and eighties in parallel to the British scene. They always welcome Brit expats into their fold (and there are loads) but remember it is their own Aussie scene.

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

Melbourne

 

The next port of call was to be Melbourne and some people were going to drive the Great Coast Road route with a night stop at Apollos Bay, a seaside resort along the way. This is also called the Diggers Highway, as the road was dug at the start by ex-soldiers after the First World War, called Diggers because of their experiences in the trenches. It is a spectacular road, going along the coast with stunning cliffs and beaches. One amazing spot is called the Twelve Apostles, a series of rock stacks and another was Shipwreck Cove but more of that later.

 

Me and my missus arrived in Melbourne Monday evening and checked into the hotel that all the Brits were to be staying at. Melbourne is much bigger than Adelaide, in fact, it was once the capital of the country and is a fierce rival with Sydney. Most people think Sydney is Australia’s capital, but it never was, instead, it is Canberra but before that it was Melbourne as most locals are only too happy to remind you. The next day Terry had booked his missus and me and mine on a coach tour of the sites, which was ace as the driver gives you a history of the sites you pass as well as many funny tales.

 

Old mate Julian Young (right) with Bill
Old mate Julian Young (right) with Bill

 

Small World

 

It was fascinating and we stopped off at The Apostles and Shipwreck Cove and we got off and were taking snaps. I then heard a familiar rattle and said to my missus that sounds like a two-stroke, like a Lammie even, my missus just nodded and gave me that ‘silly boy’ look. However, I was curious so I walked around the corner of the car park and sure enough but who did I bump into… Julian Young and Steve Diffy on their two Lambrettas. Lots of hugs ensued and I couldn’t believe it, they were also riding back to Sydney and Melbourne by going along the coastal route. This would add 300 miles to their journey, making their return trip about 1150 miles, in that heat. All in a 2000-mile round trip on two old Lambrettas, well ok one was a Jet 150 with a kit. I mean I was on the other side of the world and bump into an old mate on a scooter who used to live just up the road from me… unreal!

 

Tequila, it make you wappy
Tequila, it make you wappy

 

That evening we met up with a load of other Brits who had now arrived in Melbourne and took over the pub across the road… It became a drink off with Jonah, Kev, Tez, Andy Lee, plus Pebbles, George and Tracey versus The Southerners. This began to get messy when people started to buy huge trays of shots of all sorts of vile drinks. I blame Mark Silus Cottrell for this as he started it but I am glad to say I was one of the last to leave the bar and only did so when asked by the staff as they wanted to shut and they had no more tequila… though I think they were fibbing about it.

 

It can't be safe?
It can’t be safe?

 

Chuck another shrimp on the barbie

 

The next day Andy had arranged a boat and Barbie trip in the harbour for those that wanted to go so we headed down to Melbourne Harbour. There we saw three pink doughnut-shaped boats with cloth covered tops and in the middle of each boat was a gas barbeque. My wife refused to go on them as she thought they looked dodgy. Seven drunken Scooterists on an electrically powered boat in charge of a gas barbeque, I mean what could possibly go wrong? Naturally, a food fight ensued, and it was a surreal experience but a fun one. Then that night we headed downtown again to the Paradise Alley, a small bar that local Scooterists ran, most of the Aussie Scooterists from Adelaide were there now, as well as other local Aussie Scooterists. I was pleased to see Julian and Steve Diffy had arrived safely and more fun and drinking ensued and another great night was had.

 

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

Sydney

 

The next day me and the missus left for Sydney, we flew from Melbourne and got in early. Sydney is about the size of London with its own Chinatown etc. The main city centre though is only a few miles long and sits right beside the famous harbour with its bridge and opera house. Most people were staying around Darling Harbour, which again is not far from the town hall. Sydney and its suburbs go on for miles, but the main city centre is easily navigable and not far from the main sights. Me and the missus were staying in a pub near to Darling Harbour, which was clean and very cheap (the Glasgow Arms) and from there we had all Friday to explore the city. We went on a free walking tour, which I recommend and had a look at the Harbour Bridge, The Opera House, and met up with someone my wife used to work with. That night we explored the city and met up with a load of the Brits at a pub by the famous bridge, with a rooftop bar, we saw a firework display over the Opera House opposite. I also learned these displays are nearly a nighttime occurrence, as the visiting cruise liners pay for the displays to entertain their passengers

 

Andy along with another ex-pat called Steve of course… Steve Byatt ex-Vikings, who now lives in Sydney had arranged a boat party in Sydney Harbour for the next day, the Saturday, should everyone arrive safely. Sure enough, as Saturday dawned me and the missus headed down the harbour and everyone began to meet up again, swapping more stories of their various adventures. I was also pleased to see Julian and Steve had made it safely back to Sydney on their Lambrettas after their epic trip.

 

This is one of the cleaner SLUK sticker photos we have from Oz, some of these people are just wrong...
This is one of the cleaner SLUK sticker photos we have from Oz, some of these people are just wrong…

 

Scooterists – going places

 

The Boat when it turned up was a two-story affair with a bar, restaurant and dancefloor downstairs. Upstairs it had various viewing areas so you could see the sights. As we headed out, Andy, along With Geoff Ventress and Terry Walters spun the sounds and it was surreal, us all on a boat going under Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House. In 1981 I went to my first proper scooter rally in Skegness and there is no way I would have imagined nearly 38 years later I would be doing this in Oz with a bunch of likeminded Scooterists. Then one of the other highlights of the tour occurred when Ibbo of the Cheltenham Blue Diamonds did his party piece on the dancefloor. I did film it and the editor has a copy (not for family viewing) and some others have posted their versions on Facebook so you can check it out. Ibbo did an hilarious striptease and judging from how he did it is obvious this was not his first time as some of his moves seemed so well practised.

 

I was also well chuffed to bump into an old friend who had moved to Oz years before and thrilled to see he was still into his scoots. That was Martin Fane, ex-St Albans and Dirty Dozen SC, who came to our first Convicts events in Belfast all those years ago, these days he is in the Sydney Vespa Club and he was arranging to get some of his club to take me and a few of the lads on a scooter tour of the city the next day. It was a fabulous day and we all had a blast and Ibbo you are a legend.

 

South West Scooter Clubs Oz Day Rally 2019 | RALLERY

 

Viking barbeque

 

When the boat docked, we all headed to a local bar that Steve Byatt had sorted. It had an area roped off for us and we proceeded to get blind drunk. Later expat Chris Johnson (ex Bristol) and his missus took us to a Brazilian barbeque place, where at $48 dollars i.e. £30 you could eat as much as you wanted…We are talking 100% meat and it was gorgeous, every type of steak or rib, or cut was brought to you. Lamb, pork chicken, goose! God it was gorgeous. I am sorry if your vegan, but I don’t care. If you visit go, it’s in Tumbalong Park by Darling Harbour. After we stuffed ourselves we went back to the bar where only a hardcore was left.

 

The next Day Martin along with another ex-pat (called Steve naturally), Steve Buckland ex Brighton had got some of their mates from Sydney Vespa Club to pick me, Jonah, Tez , Andy and Kev up and take us on a scooter tour of the city. I went on the back of Martin on his PX 200 and we whizzed around the city, over the bridge and stopped by the bridge and then the Opera House. Then we all scooted off and headed to the south-east and on to the famous Bondi beach. After a look around we mounted up and this time headed for Bronte Beach, a beach more popular with the locals than Bondi. Smaller than its more famous namesake, it’s friendlier and has a lot more shade with trees near the beach and the shops were close too. This trip and day out on the scoots was one of the highlights of the tour. I also know Jonah, Tez, Andy and Kev loved it too. So thanks Martin, Stevio, Rory and Nick etc. I know a lot of the others who weren’t heading home that day caught the ferry to Manly Beach and headed there for the day.

 

Bon voyage to a great country and a fantastic experience
Bon voyage to a great country and a fantastic experience

 

It’s all over

 

That night me and the missus did a ghost tour of Sydney’s Rock area which is the oldest part of the city. I found it hilarious, the only reason I mention it here is that as I bimbled along I heard “HEY Mac!” and bumped into Jonah and the guys and gals again… which sums up this trip. It was amazing how you just kept bumping into people when you least expected it. The next day we sadly had to leave for home and I was sad to go but full of very happy memories. Australia is a great place to go and in each of the major cities, there is a scooter scene that is very friendly and helpful to any visitors. It’s not cheap to get there and due to the exchange rates, it’s not cheap at all but well worth the trip.

 

Overall the Oz tour was ace, I have to thank Andy and Ness and all the Steve’s and other people who helped out, the DJs, Terry etc. were great, all the Brits who went, the expats who turned up and helped and of course to the Australian Scooterists who were the nicest people on the planet. If Andy does another in a couple of years, I would be up for it again, at times I laughed until I cried It was a wonderful experience.

 

Words and photos: Bill Mac

 

More photos on page 3…

 

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