SRV
Snowy Ride Volunteer

 So it’s 2010, out with the old in with the new.  Time for some new ideas and challenges.  We’ve started by putting some new letters at the top of the page.

SRV (Snowy Ride Volunteer) – it’s just three letters but it says what we are and what we do.  Another idea worthy of consideration would be to call ourselves “The support vehicle” In the course of carrying out our duties each year many of our bikes end up with a “Support vehicle” sticker and again what the sticker says is what we do.

Some of this soul searching and reviewing was prompted by a question asked by one of our guys to Graham after last year’s event – “Was there disappointment at the absence of public acknowledgement for the AGA in the speeches made at the presentations?” In fact we were thanked, not by name, but by classification.  Several of the speakers thanked all the volunteers, and that’s exactly what we are!!

Speaking of thankyous, it’s nice to have some connections and friends in high places.  At the conclusion of last years event Greg O’Loughlin happened to be in the right place at the right time and was introduced to Stuart Strickland (Honda MPE CEO).  Stuart was pleased and impressed with what we do, although he hadn’t realised the extent of our involvement.  Having been informed about our work and involvement he was keen to help, and asked if there was something he could do which would help us in carrying out our Snowy Ride duties.  Greg had the presence of mind to suggest some helmets, maybe some vests.  Those of you who’ve been part of our contingent know only too well that the helmet you need for your passenger is always not the one you have.  Scrambling for helmets and vests has become a problem in recent years (as our numbers have grown) we’ve managed remarkably well but it’s been developing as a problem.  Now it’s not a problem because 30 (yes, that’s right 30) helmets arrived just the other day in Cooma to be stored ,managed and organised by volunteer groups there who are involved in hosting the kids and families.  This is wonderful news.  From our point of view if each of those kids or carers comes out of the lodge with a correct fitting helmet, that’s an enormous help in getting them organised for a ride.

A huge and very sincere thank you to Stuart and Honda MPE for such wonderful generosity.

So, what a great start for the year.  We need to emphasize the helmets are not ours.  By highlighting a problem, a fantastic donation has been made to the organisers of the Snowy Ride.  The use of those donated helmets will make life easier for us in carrying out our duties - an excellent outcome for everybody!!

Let’s hope preparations and organising for our participation this year all go in the same “win-win” direction.

AGA. Snowy Ride Committee
(Graham & Christine Merrick & Greg O’Loughlin)

For any information about the event or
your participation please contact:

Graham Merrick Ph (AH)  (02) 9639 3932
Email:  riceoleum49@optusnet.com.au

Snowy Ride website:  www.snowyride.org.au