The Journey of our Yarrabah School Murray to Moyne Charity Ride
For those unfamiliar with charity work - particularly the altruistic marriage between different organisations ...read on for some enlightenment.
First there was the Mission:
Pedal for peace - The Woody's Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay
Organisation: Department of Human Services, Hume Region team
Description: The team, which is participating in The Woody's Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay, has chosen to adopt the theme Pedal for Peace with all funds going to Care Australia's campaign to remove the more than 5 million landmines in Cambodia. Event background Woody's Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay is a major annual event which commenced in 1987 when the Port Fairy Apex Club challenged another club to ride from Echuca to Port Fairy to raise money for the local hospital. The event has since grown each year and in 2001, there were 15,635 riders representing 1,383 organisations and raising $5.6 million for hospitals and health related organisations.
Contact Details
Contact Name: Deborah Lindsay
Then there was the Vision
Why do we do the Yarrabah Ride ?
One of the greatest experiences a person can have is to give of their time and efforts for the good of someone less fortunate than themself. Especially when that recipient is a child.
Another fine feeling is to be close to nature, feeling the wind blowing in your face, and watching the sun set over one of Victorias rural landscapes.
For some, another memorable sensation is the pain and exertion that is required to propel oneself and a treddly, up hill and down dale, for three hundred kilometres. Sometimes. For some.
In March this year, these three emotions will fuse in the Woodys Murray to Moyne Bike Ride for Charity. Here, several thousand riders will converge at the northern end of Victoria. And these three forces will be at play in their heads. Some will be elite athletes, some will be "weekend warriors" and yes, some will be novices. All with the hope that their feelings of charity will be fulfilled by legs soon to be weary.
For many bicycle riders all over Australia, the Woodys Murray to Moine Bike Ride for Charity has a legendary status. The thought of riding all through the day, then through the sunset and then on into the ever increasing darkness of night is something that the imagination can never really encompass. Only the real life experience paints the full canvas. Many stories have been passed down from year to year from the veterans of this ride. Aspirant riders eagerly feed on the details until, at last, the month of March draws near. The words of Mark Anthony to Caesar ring in the ear : "Beware The Ides of March" . For it is here that you will meet your fate. When the time for talking is over and they must all ride the ride of truth.
For the recipients of the charity such as Yarrabah, there are several great opportunities. There is the excitement of being involved in something that will help their school become more functional. There is the enjoyment of dealing with a group of people interested in their school. And there is the therapy of being involved with a bunch of crazy cyclists.
Everybody wins.
So, on the 29th and 30th of March, a group of helpful, crazy, enthusiastic, (but dedicated) bike riders will ride from Mildura to Port Fairy, some 540 kms in distance to raise money for the Yarrabah school in Aspendale. Although a relay, each rider will usually complete approximately 300 kilometers.
Yarrabah school provides a range of programs for students with special needs and the funds are being raised to help build a state of the art therapy and hydrotherapy centre. Trevor Browning, the school council president and Pauline Musgrave, the school principal believe the new centre will be vital to help their students reach full potential. This will also compliment the other special facilities at Yarrabah. Facilities such as a purpose built playground, sensory room and music centre. All of these facilities are used to stimulate social, physical and intellectual interaction with the students.
Over the past few years their bike riders have raised around $90,000. It is the dedication and hard work of many people and their sponsors that makes Yarrabah the first class special school that it is today.
The therapy and hydrotherapy centre will cost around $300,000 and Yarrabah still need additional sponsors and donations.
Therefore, on the last weekend of March, spare a thought for the riders who will be riding through the night to help Yarrabah.
If you would like to help Yarrabah, please call the school on 9580 0384. You CAN make a difference !!
Then there was the Kickoff Meeting
M2M Bandido Meeting
Hi 'didos
It's time we got the m2m ball rolling for 2003...
After last year's event we've had a strong response from those interested in the 03 ride to end all "it's not a race" rides. i'm not sure if that means it's a ride ride or it really is a race??
Nevertheless, last year it was 10 bandidos who (almost) conquered the world, for 03 we have 23 interested in being part of the bandido juggernaut.
As i explained, there are two aspects to the ride, one is raising sponsorship dollars for Yarrabah, the second is organising the ride itself. we feel we need to contribute to both activities but accept that for some of us, raising sponsorship dollars may not be an easy process. We don't wish to rule anyone out of the event because they cannot raise a specific sum so we are recommending the following.
Each rider is to:
*raise a minimum of $500 in sponsorship which is to go in full toYarrabah,
*pay a $250 entry fee to cover accomm, bus hire and meal costs for the ride.
If you feel you can't commit to these figures please contact leon or I now so we can make alternate plans.
The other costs you will incur will include:
*a ride jersey...the same jersey used last year
*bike spares for yourself...well, your bike actually
*personal food supplements.
We also intend looking at company sponsors to assist in raising funds. We would like to explore other opportunities with contacts you may have
through your employer or business associates. our overall goal is to raise over $20,000 for Yarrabah
The second aspect is the planning for the ride. we will need a second trailer for bikes and probably a third for food and our personal gear.
one or possibly two more buses will also be required to carry the riders. we have a few options to pursue here but the important thing is a commitment on numbers. late withdrawls may make it difficult to replace riders or for the remaining riders to cover costs we've committed to so, we'd appreciate early advice if you have to withdraw
from the event...and your help to find a replacement rider.
Leon and i are happy to co-ordinate the event for 2003 but don't want to carry all the workload. we need your commitment of support, assistance
and ideas on how to make this a great event for Yarrabah and the Bandidos.
in order to get planning underway we'd like to run a movie night/m2m planning night at on 16 August starting at 7.30pm. byo nibblies and drinks.... and ideas. i'll bring the paris-roubaix tape
regards, Nuggetty
Then there was the Training
Subject: training tips for those considering the M2M 03
classic training tip from the M2M website:
Rule of thumb:
If your legs hurt but your breathing is okay, your gear is too high.
If your legs are okay, but you are breathing too hard, then your gear is too low.
If both complaints are happening at once, you need more training.
Then there was the Organisational Alignment
Yarabah Kickoff Meeting
hi m2m'ers,
thanks for your responses re the m2m for 03.
we have submitted to Yarrabah that we will run a team for the 03 event and will target $20,000 to cover the event costs (aside from the jersey
costs and snacks along the way) with the balance going to Yarrabah.
We have 9 riders who have committed to raise money for the event and they are...
alistair, ricardo, wazza, hamster, PB, kiwi dave, fitzy and denis.
leon has first grab on the 10th seat....he is still undecided.
10 can run but the buses can take 12.
if you want in and are prepared to raise sponsorship dollars talk to me about the 2 remaining seats.
i am now finalising with yarrabah the recognition sponsors can expect for substantial contributions and the drafting of collection sheets for
those looking for smaller contributions.
nuggetty
Then there was the details and committee to be worked out ...
Bandido Fine Tuning
I thought it appropriate at this time that we start to get some focus on our next big challenge, the M2M ride on the 29th March this year.
Confirmed starters at this stage are; Kiwi, Mike Paynter, Wazza, Denis, El Presidente, Hamster, Cossie, Fitzy & Poppa
We are aiming to have 10 Bandido's participating in the event and our aim is to raise a minimum of $20,000 or approximately $2,000 per rider. The cost to cover each riders expenses is $500 (or $5,000 overall) and this covers everything from accommodation, food, transport and the luncheon at the Port Fairy Yacht club.
Ricardo has started with a great contribution of over $4,000 and Kiwi also has had some success with the Bank (unclear on the amount at the moment).
We have nine committed riders at this stage, Mile Paynter is taking the spot of Ricardo and we still need to recruit one more rider, this needs to happen ASAP. .
Late last year a number of meetings occurred with Yarrabah to clearly define accountabilities on the organisation and we agreed to the following.
* Yarrabah are totally responsible for the organisation of transport, accommodation, media coverage, food and two support crew for the weekend.
* Bandido's are responsible for providing the 10 riders (no Yarrabah riders at this time), two support crew to man a mini bus, be available for
media photos, $20,000 in donations and sponsorships and we are hoping to get sponsorship of a mini bus - no guarantees at this stage and finally to keep individual costs down we are using last years jersey's as they were designed to be used for future years.
Any one interested in participating please let me know, we have on rider spot available and two support crew spots available.
Last years event was thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated and Bandido's certainly left their mark on the event making this years ride even
more challenging if we are repeat the same feats.
The overall vision of assisting Yarrabah is a great feeling, especially when you visit the school and meet the kids you are riding for and assisting.
And finally, IT IS NOT A RACE
Cossie
Then there was the publicity
PRESS RELEASE
On 29 and 30 March a group of dedicated bike riders will ride from Mildura to Port Fairy, some 540 kms to raise money for Yarrabah school in Aspendale.
Yarrabah school provides a range of programs for students with special needs and the funds are being raised to help build a state of the art therapy and hydrotherapy centre. Trevor Browning, school council president said that the new centre was vital to help the students reach their full potential and this would compliment the other special facilities such as a purpose built playground, sensory room and music centre. All of these facilities are used to stimulate social, physical and intellectual interaction with the students.
Over the past few years the bike riders have raised around $90,000 and it is the dedication and hard work of many people and our sponsors that makes Yarrabah the first class special school that it is today.
The therapy and hydrotherapy centre will cost around $300,000 and we still need additional sponsors and donations.
On the last weekend of March, spare a thought for the riders who will be riding through the night to help Yarrabah.
If you would like to help Yarrabah, please call the school on 9580 0384.
I spoke with the new editor at Leader a Kate Williams and they are going to run a article for us on M2M.
Wazza has already supplied a article to them, but I get the impression they will embellish it somewhat.
I am going to meet with Kate and the Photographer at 9.30am on Monday 3rd March 2003 at the Clock Tower in Black Rock and we will also Finalise details of the article at this point.
Obviously, it is a very big ask to expect everyone to turn up for this,however, I was hoping we could get at least four or five us to attend.
Are you available?
Please note that the next meeting with Yarrabah is Monday night 6pm, at the school, not compulsory.
Starting to sneak some secret training in - Cossie
MORE ORGANISING ....
Attention: Pauline Musgrave, David Lean & Trevor Browning
We are on the countdown and it is time to firm up all the details.
At the next meeting on the 19th March 2003 at 6.30 pm at Yarrabah - 23 Mill St Aspendale (phone 9580 9384) we will require as many participants as possible including the support crews.
Sausage sizzle - All is ready for this day, I have attached a information sheet to provide you with all the details. I will require six Yarrabah people and six Bandido people (if possible). The idea is to run one and half hour shifts in groups of four with myself and David Lean being the organisers on the day. Please take time to read the information as I still need to get names back and some assistance with a trestle table and barbeques.
Fundraising - I have been getting back some great news on donations in addition Fitzy has secured the 2nd support vehicle, what I would like to see is that by Monday 17th March I have your amounts raised to discuss at the next meeting.
Trailer - Dennis Mahoney has offered to update the rubber system to protect the bikes better, we need to ensure this is completed in the next couple of weeks, any offers to assist Dennis would be great.
Training - How fit are we for this undertaking? Don't worry Fitzy has been looking at setting a schedule of rides required and diet leading up the ride. I rode with him the other morning (6am) and found myself doing 40kmh within 10 minutes of getting out of bed, a great way to clear the cobwebs and get fit - yeah right. Stay tuned for his information to come through shortly.
Bayside Leader - Did you check out the great article that was in this weeks leader, it got over the message well, it was on page three. Three cheers for Wazza for taking the time out to pull the article together with Leader, well done.
A big effort required - I am hoping we raise at least $25k for Yarrabah, lets give it our best shot!!!!
Hope to see you all on Saturday, not definite at this stage.
Cossie
ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO!!!!
All that is left to do is to turn up at 7.45am on Friday at Yarrabah. For those who are flying you can come along and set your bike up on the trailer plus store your gear on the bus. If that is a problem just let me know, I am sure we can organise something for you if required.
Please refer to Wazza's very detailed note on what to bring for the weekend.
I have spoken with a Sally who is looking after the Brooksy's place (relative) and she has kindly offered to allow bikes and gear to be dropped off on Thursday night, they live some two blocks away from Yarrabah. This may give you an option for getting to Yarrabah in the morning and whether you get a lift with someone.
Last year we arrived around 5pm to our motel and we had a barbeque around 7pm, this year will be pretty much the same. We will have a team briefing on the Friday night and agree on the teams, objectives, strategies and logistics.
We need to be down at the starting point no later than 10.15am for race briefings and allocations of team numbers etc.
My only concern is the trailer as I may not get a chance to improve the mounting rubber strips. Denis has provided some rubber sheeting that will assist (and yes Denis please bring some more along), please think about this appreciating that only one bike was damaged last year (it happened to be El Presidente's bike) so any additional material will be beneficial.
For those of you I don't see tomorrow morning I will catch you on Friday at Yarrabah.
Regards
Cossie
Then there was the Ride
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Subject: RE: Murray to Moyne 2003, The Battle of the Mallee Scrub
What a great effort.I have provided copies to the rest .Great lunch time reading.Thanks for your kind words.It is people like you and your fantastic Bandidos that make an exceptional contribution to the life and work of a principal.The children were so excited to farewell you on your incredible journey.In our school newsletter we acknowledged the Bandidos as "simply the best,better than all the rest." How true!
Many thanks
Pauline
_______________________________________________________
And Finally, THERE WAS THE WRAP UP
Good afternoon everyone.
Thanks to all for a very successful event. We were there to raise money and that we did, it is now time to reconcile and come up with a final balance.
As I see it, there are a number of you who have sent sponsor cheques to the school directly and a number of us are holding cash, and others are waiting for final contributions.
BANDIDOS
Would you please deal directly with Fay Watt or David Lean at the school to finalise you donations. You can contact them on 9580 0384.
YARRABAH
Please reconcile and administer accordingly.
The final amount will be announced on the 4th May at 11am for the post ride barbecue, you need to lock this date away and you are more than welcome to invite sponsors for a look around the school and to participate in the day.
Once again thankyou everyone for a great effort.
Cossie