Club History

The inaugural meeting of the Virago Owners Club of Victoria inc was held at the Bay View Hotel, Geelong on January 1994. It was attended by 17 people . Mr John Ashmore , Manger of Yamaha Victoria presented a cheque to the value of $250 to start off the club. He was voted member No1, Gary O'Brien was elected president, Lindon Turner - treasurer and Ron Cleasby-Jones - Secretary.

Mr Bob Adema won a competition for the design of the club logo depicting a "wheel" with the club name surrounding a road winding through the You Yangs with the sun and blue sky in the background. Club meeting locations progressively used in Geelong were The Bay View Hotel, The Charles Hothan Hotel and finally The Carton Central Hotel. Due to growth in the club and to better service the non Geelong members of the club, Billy Bells Hotel in Melbourne was used every second month.

The first organised ride was to Lavers Hill with 11 Virago's participating. Stewie ran his wide around the corner and stepped off the bitumen. On the second club ride 3 bikes went down - not a great start to the club.

In May 1997, following Yamaha's decision to drop the " Virago" name on their bikes ( bar the 250cc version ) the Club changed its name to The Virago and Yamaha Cruisers club of Victoria inc. At this time the club also became a non denominational club with all types of bikes from any bike manufacturer being welcomed.

In 2004 the Club celebrated it's 10th anniversary by holding a motorcyle expo in the car park of the Carlton Central Hotel, Geelong. This was well attended by the public and members and was supported by Peter Stevens Motorcycles, Geelong. In the evening a dinner and dance was held, also at the Cartlon Central Hotel.

In 2004 a decision was made to relocate the club to the Tigers Clubhouse, Hoppers Crossing. This provided a much more centralised location for all club meetings for the Geelong and Melbourne based members. In 2008, due to increased membership a further move to the Werribee RSL was completed.

PAST CLUB OFFICEBEARERS AND AWARD WINNERS

Year President Secretary Treasurer Editor Clubman Award Presidents Award 2010 Peter_Dyer Andrew_Gordon Brian_Micallef Andrew_Gordon ???? ???? 2009 Peter_Dyer Andrew_Gordon Brian_Micallef Andrew_Gordon Rob_Evans Brian_Micallef 2008 Brendan_Micallef Nola_Grech Peter_Dyer Andrew_Gordon Rob_Evans Erwin_Halle 2007 Nola_Grech Brendan_Micallef Peter_Dyer Andrew_Gordon Peter_Dyer Andrew_Gordon 2006 Dave_West Brendan_Micallef Ron_Colston'ing Dave_Post Steve_Kulpinski Erwin_Halle 2005 Brian_Micallef Erwin_Halle Ron_Colston'ing Sue_Towers Dave_Post Erwin_Halle 2004 Steve_Kulpinski Tony_Muir Dave_Post Karen_Featon Tony_Muir Ron_Colston'ing 2003 Sue_Towers Laura_Towers Brett_Bonnett Sue_&_Kim_Towers Kim_Towers Kim_Towers 2002 Sue_Towers Lou_Howlett Brett_Bonnett Kim_Towers Neville_Dickson Karen_Featon 2001 Neville_Dickson Debi_Chetuti Sue_Towers Kim_Towers Debi_Chetcuti 2000 Barry_Wilson Steve_Hartshorne Kier_Rasmussen Kim_Towers Bob_Hartshorne 1999 Neville_Dickson Jeff_Peck Barry_Wilson Margaret_Groen Ray_Hill 1998 Neville_Dickson Jeff_Peck Gary_O'Brien Margaret_Groen Jeff_Peck 1997 Ray_Hill ???????? ???????? Jane_Coventry 1996 Glenys_Drayton ???????? ???????? ???????? 1995 Gary_O'Brien John_Brigman Lindon_Turner ???????? 1994 Gary_O'Brien Ron_Cleasby'Jones Lindon_Turner Kylie_Lennox

Ten Year Service awards :

Steve Kulpinski, Faye Hartshorne, Bob Hartshorne, Wayne Cherry, Steve Hartshorne, Sue Towers, Kim Towers, Erwin Halle, John Zammit, Tony Muir.

Fifteen Year Service awards : Neville Dickson, Ron Bastin.