Melbourne Toy Run - Cranbourne meet point and Ulysses club [long]

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From: Jason Allen
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Guy Stanford <>, ,
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Subject: Melbourne Toy Run - Cranbourne meet point and Ulysses club [long]
Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2003 00:58:05 +1100


An open letter to the Ulysses Melbourne branch committee, Ulysses
National Committee, and all interested parties of this years Melbourne
Toy Run. (http:///www.toyrun.com.au/). The below is my sole opinion and
thoughts based around my discussions with those involved in the
Melbourne MRA Toy Run and the Cranbourne meet point (now being
advertised as the Cranbourne Run to Williamstown)


As a Melbourne based motorcyclist, to me the annual Toy Run is at the
pinnacle of the riding calendar. It allows motorcyclists of all creeds
and persuasions to unite as one in showing the community that we care
for those less fortunate. A unity that, through the media's reporting,
shows the wider community that around 20,000 Melbourne riders are great
ambassadors of the giving spirit at Christmas time. I am proud to be a
volunteer in this years, and past years, Toy Runs.

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

For the last 19years, the Cranbourne meet point for the MRA Toy Run has
been organised by Barbara and Dale Maggs - both MRA and Ulysses club
members. This meet point, like several others in the outskirts of
Melbourne, gathers local riders together so they can ride into Melbourne
as a group and join the starting point of the Melbourne MRA Toy Run -
the highlight and purpose of the day.

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

Over the last few weeks I have watched and read as this years event, the
25th, is being split apart and politicised by the ego's of a small few
within the Ulysses Melbourne Branch. Why? For no good reason it seems
other than retribution for something as small as a forgotten communique
to Barbara and Dale Maggs about a change to the finishing point of the
MRA Toy Run. (The MRA moved it a few weeks ago from Williamstown to
Federation Square due to financial impositions from the Hobsons Bay City
Council) It has snowballed from there and now revenge, pride, and ego's
are at stake. Amongst it all, the real reason for the Toy Run - giving
and unity - has been completely lost. Sounds astonishing doesn't it?

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

As a result of the brusied ego's and retribution, Barbara/Dale Maggs and
the Ulysses Melbourne Branch have decided to not take the riders that
will turn-up at the Cranbourne meet point to the MRA Toy Run like they
have done so for the last 19 years, but instead they will have their own
Toy Run and take the riders that turn-up straight to Williamstown (the
finishing point of last years Melbourne MRA Toy Run). I can only imagine
the outcry and mayhem that will occur when the 2,000+ riders turn-up to
the Cranbourne meet point, expecting to join the group for a ride to the
MRA Toy Run starting point in Melbourne as they have done in many years
gone by, only to find out the Cranbourne meet point's organisers are
wanting to use them as pawns in a power game. Under those circumstances,
I would expect that the majority of riders that turn-up at Cranbourne
will not follow the group to Williamstown but turn off at Melbourne to
join the traditional MRA Toy Run. What a calamity that will be for the
police escort leading the Cranbourne pack.

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

In the below emails with Ulysses Melbourne Branch Committee, you'll read
that they unequivocally imply that the Ulysses Melbourne Branch is not
organising the Cranbourne meet point, or endorsing it over the MRA Toy
Run. But that it is Barbara and Dale Maggs that organise it, and that
Ulysses Melbourne Branch has no concerns with the MRA Toy Run. In stark
contrast, at the website of the Ulysses Melbourne Branch, it's president
Bill Elliott writes: "Just to Clarify this Years Toy Run from Cranbourne
to Williamstown is an Ulysses event and backed by our Club, Ulysses inc,
no inferance should be drawn regarding the MRA". On the website of the
Ulysses National Branch he (Bill Elliot) also writes "Just to set the
record correct, the Cranbourne Toy Run is an Ulysses inc event and it's
destination is Williamstown, it is not a Barbara or Dale Maggs event, it
is a toy run for the kids, there is no vengeance towards the MRA" The
Ulysses national website also has comments such as "She [Barbara Maggs]
would love to support MRA, they have abandoned her!"

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

So in emailing the Ulysses Melbourne Branch about the Cranbourne meet
point, they point out that Barbara and Dale Maggs are the organisers and
distance themselves from it. But on Ulysses website's, the Melbourne
Branch President says they are the organisers of Cranbourne and not
Barbara and Dale Maggs. Yes, I'm confused too. Is it Ulysses Melbourne
Branch that it breaking 19 years of tradition in disenfranchising the
Cranbourne meet point from the MRA Toy Run because of bruised ego's and
revenge, or is it Barbara and Dale Maggs? But it's the Toy Run and it's
giving and unity that's important, not who is politicising it for the
purpose of retribution.

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

In a recent email sent to me by Dale Maggs early this week he wrote "The
only answer you need to know is the 14th December and Williamstown and
that's all". I responded to Dale asking him why he was disenfranchising
from the MRA Toy Run after 19 years, and so far he has chosen not to
reply. In that same email, Dale Maggs also had attachments with their
flyer for Cranbourne and a letter of personal recommendation from a
prominent local business. (Refer http://allen.dnsalias.net/ToyRun2003/
for those attachments). I sent an email to the author of that letter of
recommendation outlining the circumstances around Cranbourne and Barbara
and Dale Maggs intentions for the Cranbourne meet point and got a
response saying "I was not aware of the circumstances surrounding this
year's 'Toy Run'." Poor guy, getting involved and having his name and
business distributed throughout the Internet in support/recommendation
of Barbara and Dale Maggs but not knowing for what and how it was being
used.

http://www.toyrun.com.au/

To conclude, I would ask all readers to consider the following:

1. The Ulysses National committee to immediately review and investigate
the actions and purpose of the Melbourne Branch's committee with regard
to the Cranbourne meet point of the MRA Toy Run;

2. Continue to strongly and proudly support the Toy Run. If you normally
goto the Cranbourne meet point, evaluate whether you want to get
involved with it's likely mayhem and instead join another meet point or
go directly to the MRA starting point.

3. Forward this email to friends, other riders. and motorcycling mailing
lists to let them know about the Cranbourne meet points intention so
they too can make an informed decision about whether they wish to go to
Cranbourne or not.

4. Remember always that the Toy Run is the pinnacle of our riding
calendar, and should never be treated in this way. It's always about
riders uniting en-mass to give some xmas cheer to those in need and
showing the wider community, through the media, what caring and unified
group motorcyclists are.

5. It's not too late for the Cranbourne meet point to meet with the MRA
Toy Run starting point, as it has done for the last 19 years. If you
have any contact with the Ulysses Melbourne Branch Committee or Barbara
and Dale Maggs, and do not agree with their disenfranchising of the
Cranbourne meet point, let them know your thoughts. Perhaps a little
encouragement is all they need to remember the kids and the unity of
past years?

6. The Ulysses Melbourne Branch Committee and Barbara and Dale Maggs to
review the reason why they are doing this (my queries to them have gone
unanswered). Are they 100% sure that there is no ego, politicising, or
retribution involved in the decision to disenfranchise the Cranbourne
meet point? And if not, would they like to tell us why then after
19years do they feel they need to change the status quo?


Full details of this years Melbourne MRA Toy Run are available at
http://www.toyrun.com.au Thanks for reading.


Cheers,
Jason Allen

 

<Snip 16 lines of valid email addresses that are now getting spam they
didn't need.>

 

Oh, for ****'s sake Jason. They've made a call that a 3km waddle
around the city isn't a suitable Toy Run, and they're going to
Bikes by the Bay instead. And on the way they'll drop off pressies
to the Smith Family in Cranbourne.

What's the big problem?

What, one Damien isn't enough for us?

-----sharks

 

It's not the same with Ulysses everywhere, paulh. Melbourne seems to have
problems of this type fairly regularly, with coups and disruptions,
bickering and infighting. Maybe it's something to do with living in such a
rooted city.

Which is contradicted by the magnificent Ulysses Club in Adelaide, which
would have to be the most fucked city in the undeveloped world.

By the same token, it might be something to do with the age-group, too.
Whenever I've had anything to do with Vietnam Vets organisations I see the
same sorts of teddy-tossing, dummy-spitting, pouting, sulking and
name-calling - and it's usually over some piddling thing (no cock-jokes
please).

 

Who gives a ****?

Theo

 

Seem's you don't, but then I couldn't give a **** what you think about it.


Cheers,
Jason

 

Ahh, Melbourne and the MRAV. Such a splendid breeding ground for
self-righteous wordy individuals!


BTH

 

If that was the truth of the matter, then very little (apart from maybe
trying to highjack 2,000+ people who think they are meeting to go to the
Melbourne Toy Run and have no idea of a change). But the truth is, they
decided to change from participating in the Melbourne Toy Run after the
change from Williamstown but before Federatino Square. So to say they are
changing because of their dislike of a 3km waddle around the city is
wrong. If that is your understanding, then you have been misled and
deceived.


Cheers,
Jason

 

"Jason Allen" wrote

I'm pleased to announce that the Perth Toy Run (the oldest in Oz at 28
years) went off without a hitch (again). Police estimated the number of
bikes at 9000.

The Ulysses Club had a great turnout as usual. the Ulysses Club did not
organise the ride.

Theo

 

Fantastic. Even though they (Perth'ians) are behind a few hours, they
always manage to lead the way.


Cheers,
Jason

 

You fuckers! You hijacked 9000 riders who believed they were
joining the Melbourne Toy Run!

-----sharks

 

^^^^

You misspelled MRAA

HTH

Moike

 

I've noticed you're getting rather cranky lately, Theo. It's so not
you. Care to talk about it?

---
Cheers

PeterC [aka MildThing]
'81 Suzuki GS450-s
'87 BMW K100RT

www.dmcsc.org.au

 

Nope, still can't see it. ;-)


BTH
(Perhaps I should declare myself "Lord and Master of all GPX250 owners
of Australia"? I mean, the MRAV seem to have set the precedent...)

 

You mean to say that you're NOT?!?

Disillusioned Conehead

 

"Peter Cremasco" wrote

Sigh! Banks, Tax office, Telstra and other idiots.

I changed my credit card to Virgin. Same kind of card as I had, same
limit, no annual charges, 6% lower rate. Operates through the SAME
Bank I was using. Three months after I got my Virgin card and had
stopped using my other card, my other card was cancelled. I found out
when an ATM didn't give me my card back when trying to take some money
out of my savings account. My bank was astounded that I still needed
to have access to my savings account. Took them seven working days to
send me a new Handycard, another seven days to send me the bloody PIN.
Meanwhile every time I needed cash I had to go to a bank teller and
identify myself. I can get a replacement BP card in 24 hours.

I've been scratching around trying to find $65K to pay the ATO for
last year's business tax. Paid it yesterday. Overdraft looks a little
sick now.

I have been looking after the accounts of another company since
January as well. Got a call from the ATO last week wanting to know why
that company was $20K in CREDIT with the ATO. Cool, Tax Office rings
up to ask why you sent them money. Am now trying to sort out WTF the
previous person did re BAS statements since July 2000. And why the
hell they sent the ATO two payments of $4499 and $15600 last year when
the accounts don't seem to support such a payment. Fun!

My new CDMA phone works everywhere except in my house.

I think I need a long weekend in Bali. Leaving on Friday.

Theo

 

I thought that was the SANFL...

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

Businessman wrecks cashflow buying cars and assorted goodies to reduce tax
bill. Uses overdraft to cover, but doesn't complain about interest
rate/fees/charges.

You _must_ need a holiday, Theo!

Ex-banker Conehead

 

Theo Bekkers wrote in message ...
~

~
I had the exact same thing happen the week before the GP.
I'd cancelled my credit-card and then 6-weeks-or-so later they killed my ATM
card too.
After a day or two of abortive attempts to re-activate it ("OK I've tried
something. Can you go downstairs and try it in the machine again and then
ring me back") they realised they couldn't and mailed me a new one and new
PIN.

Fortunately I was able to move money between accounts with a phone-call and
I had another ATM-account or I woulda' been stuff-a-roonied!

(As it was I spent several hours that trip standing on the side of the road
yapping on the mobile 'cause my OTHER bank fucked up my new house finance!!)
Clem

 

"Knobdoodle" wrote

The ATM I stuck my card in said "Card has been reported lost or
stolen". What idiot programmed that in for a cancelled card?

Theo