Page 1027 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 15 March 2005
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opportunity to enjoy the scenery during the grand parade on Saturday. Starting from Anzac Parade, the parade presented a great sight, with both sides full of parked motorcycles of all models and makes, from the US imported Boss Hoss to those bikes that have sentimental rather than crowd-pleasing value. The parade wound its way along Limestone Avenue, Majura and Phillip avenues to Dickson.
The ride was trouble free and was one of the most enjoyable two hours of motorcycle riding I have had in Canberra. The parade was warmly received by hundreds of spectators and it was great to see the community welcoming the riders and enjoying the spectacle of motorcycles. Nearly 6,000 people attended the reception of the riders at Dickson Oval and delivered a warm round of applause for the reception provided to visitors by the people of the ACT and for the work done by ACT Tourism to promote the event.
During the reception, the Australian motorcycle apprentice of the year award for 2005 was presented to Townsville resident Sharine Milne. Ms Milne was presented with a $9,000 Aprilia for her work as an apprentice with the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. I had the great opportunity to meet Ms Milne at the dinner on Saturday night and congratulate her personally on her achievement. In a time of skills shortage, young apprentices like Ms Milne who are just getting started in the trades should be supported and encouraged.
The work of the Ulysses motorcycle club and its members in supporting young motorbike mechanic apprentices is fantastic. The community commitment of the Ulysses Club extends beyond the fantastic contributions to the communities and industries that make their own activities possible. Events held during the week fundraised to support arthritis treatment in Australia. Dr John Hewson from the Arthritis Association received a warm welcome from the crowd at Dickson.
Our local Ulysses chapter have been active in fundraising for local charities, demonstrative of their commitment as a club to the community they are so active in and bring such life to. Not only do Ulysses make a valuable contribution to our community through charity work; their very presence in our community provides the people of Canberra with an opportunity to get involved in a fun activity, to meet people and to stay involved.
During the celebrations on the weekend, I was honoured to meet 83-year-old Stephen, the national founding member of the club. He was one of the first members to ride as a Ulyssian more than 30 years ago and now, as the lesson of Ulyssians shouts loudly to us, he is still on his bike, still riding.
I would like to take this opportunity in the Assembly tonight to thank the organisers of the Ulysses AGM for 2005 for their work and for their contribution to the club and our Canberra community. ACT President Graeme Rule and the national executive worked tirelessly to organise such a successful event and I thank them for their work and their commitment.
I would also like to thank ACT Tourism and the Australian Federal Police for their work and support during the event. The positive impact on our local community, the boost for
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