Page 44 - RidingOnSummer
P. 44
Ridden On This is one of the saddest sections in the Riding On and if we can be fair to
everyone we ask that submissions are kept to a maximum of 300 words.
Graham Lewis During his 50’s Graham developed his passion for motorbikes.
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11/07/1953 – 9/09/2021 a BMW F800GT. He loved bike touring and planned two 6
month solo camping rides to the N.T. and W.A. in 2018, and
Born in Moorabbin, Queensland in 2019. He told the story of his tent being broken
Victoria, the eldest of 4 into while camped in remote bush in W.A. Intruders were
children. He attended inside the tent with him, rummaging around in the pitch dark.
Cheltenham High till Year A struggle ensued, and only as they left did he realise it was 2
10, then moved to the sheep, who’d cheekily eaten his remaining Weet-Bix!
Mornington Peninsula
where he worked as a Graham was a devoted husband, father and grand-father. A
VWUDSSHU DQG RQ D ÀRZHU Melbourne Demon’s supporter, would be very proud to see them
farm before taking up an take out the 2021 AFL premiership.
electrical apprenticeship.
He worked for Lysaght (later BHP & BlueScope) in Hastings. He joined Ulysses and the Mornington Wanderers in 2017 and
He loved to surf and party every chance he got, and even was a welcome regular on Branch rides and social events.
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spent a total of 34 years, becoming the Electrical Maintenance Graham passed away peacefully with his family at his side,
following a courageous struggle with cancer. He was a no-
Supervisor.
nonsense bloke with an irreverent sense of humour. Devastating
In 1982 he met wife Sue, on a blind date. She agreed to for his friends at Mornington Wanderers, those Covid19
DFFRPSDQ\ KLP RQ D VXU¿QJ KROLGD\ WR 6RXWK $IULFD 7KH\ VSHQW restrictions and the loss of opportunity to see him over the last
ZHHNV VXU¿QJ EHIRUH 6XH ZHQW RQWR (XURSH IRU D PRQWK few months. Let’s hope he caught up with those bloody sheep.
holiday. They married in 1985 and 3 children followed. There’s Ride on mate.
also a daughter from a previous relationship. A total of 5 grand- Mac Dyson #54643
children plus 1 due in November. Between 2016 and his 2019 Mornington Wanderers
retirement, he worked at HMAS Cerberus teaching electronics to
trainees.
Graham ‘‘Biggles’’ King, #16694 forming the new Mornington
13/04/1948 – 11/10/2021 Wanderers Branch. He was
inaugural President for the
Born in Coburg Victoria, the eldest of 2 sons to Hugh and Irene. new Branch (sanctioned
Graham was schooled in Pascoe Vale and Glenroy. His pastimes October 2001) and again in
EHLQJ VZLPPLQJ VXU¿QJ \DFKWLQJ PRWRU ELNHV UDGLR FRQWUROOHG 2002. He returned as President
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Graham left school in 4th form to become an apprentice In 2013 the Mornington
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draftsman for Repco designing special purpose machinery and µ%LJJOHV¶ H[WUDRUGLQDU\ HRUWV
a commercial refrigeration engineer for supermarkets, deli’s and as a founding member
milk vat sales. A perk of that job was getting his pilot’s license and inaugural President by
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nickname ‘‘Biggles’’ was born and stuck. Life Membership of the Branch.
‘Biggles’ got started with motor bikes about 1959. First was a ‘Biggles’ and wife Ariel decided to live their dream by hooking
BSA Bantam, followed by an Indian, Ariel, Triumph, Yamaha WKH FDUDYDQ WR WKH QHZ ZKHHO GULYH DQG KHDGLQJ R LQWR WKH
<= +RQGD ;5 D 9LUDJR DQG ¿QDOO\ WKH WUXVW\ horizon seeking adventure.
Yamaha 1600 Roadster.
In early April 2020 ‘Biggles’ was diagnosed with colorectal
He met wife Ariel (not the motorbike) while working under his cancer and later metastatic liver cancer. He spent the last
FJ Holden. They were married in April 1969 and celebrated their 18 months battling against the cancer, as well as diabetes
52nd Wedding Anniversary this year. They raised 3 kids and at complications. He passed away peacefully at home 11th October
last count, there were 10 grandchildren (5 boys & 5 girls) and with Ariel and his family at his side.
just recently added to the King clan, 1 great grandson.
Ride on mate.
1998 he joined Ulysses, after meeting members having
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and Whittlesea Branches. In 2000 he was instrumental in Mornington Wanderers
Mervyn Neil Villis #2448 We rode thousands of kilometres together with another great
mate Garry ‘Yackidah’ Walton #3897, who we lost last year.
It is with a very heavy heart we say We were known within our Branch as the ‘3 Amigos’, so many
goodbye to my long time friend, Mervyn memories, such great times.
Neil Villis, who passed away on 9th
November 2021. He Leaves behind wife Ride hard my friend, keep your knees in the breeze as we
Jan and 6 children. Merv, to the people always did.
who knew him, was a true motorcyclist.
He loved his bike rallies and the people Lawrie ‘Dusty’ Rhodes #7553 - Lake Macquarie Branch.
who went there. A true Ulyssian.
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