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From: Jason Allen
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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
On Mon, 2003-12-01 at 15:12, Robert Munro wrote:
> Jason,
>
> I agree with you. I do not know the whole story, but owing to problems
> created OUTSIDE of the MRA , the event organisers were left with a problem
> which they were not able to fully resolve until only last Monday or
Tuesday.
>
> In the meantime, the organisers at the Cranbourne end went ahead with
their
> arrangements, just as they have been doing for several years. And
> unfortunately the wash up is the unsatisfactory result that we now have.
> Hopefully, next year will see a resolution that benefits the original aim
of
> the event.
>
> It is up to you, of course, to join whichever of the alternatives you so
> wish. The "Smith Family" are also receiving the gift donations in
Federation
> Square, so at least there is no conflict there.
>
> On Saturday mornings on AM radio 1116 3AK, just after 9 AM, there is a
show
> for motorcycle riders. It contains a varied amount of sometimes quite
> interesting information for us 'bike riders. Last Saturday (and indeed the
> Saturday before) there were several comments made about the Toy Run "stuff
> up" this year. If you have a chance to listen to the show next Saturday
(it
> goes until 10 o'clock) you might pick up some more of the details on how
the
> shemozzle came about.
>
> Just for the record, I am also a member of the MRAA (# 25403), so I have
> mixed feelings about this whole sad story.
>
> And one other thing I did not mention in my reply to your initial "E"
Mail.
> You note that Damien Codognotto is "....claiming that the Melbourne
Ulysses
> club will not be joining the official...." etc. That statement is not
> correct. There has been NO attempt by the Melbourne BRANCH of the Ulysses
> Club (there is no such thing as the Melbourne Ulysses CLUB) to create
favour
> one way or the other for either of the Toy run routes. And ANY Ulyssian is
> just that, a Ulyssian, free to join with any Branch, Branches, Group or
> Groups he or she so chooses. All members, or any member, can make up their
> own minds (after all, we are all mature adults over 21!) as to which route
> they wish to 'support'. After all, we are doing this for those less
> fortunate than ourselves.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob Munro. #19789.
> (Ulysses Club, Melbourne Branch Quartermaster).
>
> Crane Australia P/L. (Victorian Manufacturing Division).
> Ph. (03) 9465 2755.
> Fax. (03) 9466 1365.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jason Allen
> > Sent: Monday, 1 December 2003 14:05 PM
> > To: Robert Munro
> > Cc: (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed);
> > (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed);
> > (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed)
> > Subject: RE: Cranbourne Toy Run Meet Point
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the response Bob.
> >
> > That is very disappointing news to hear. I understand the Cranbourne
meet
> > point has been joining with the Melbourne Toy Run for many years ever
> > since it started some 15+(?) years ago.
> >
> > Why the change with that not occurring this year? I'm distressed that
the
> > Toy Run is for kids and seperating into two groups for possibly ego or
> > political reasons distracts from the real goal of riders being united
> > together in delivering some happiness to kids for Xmas.
> > Cheers,
> > Jason
> >
> > On Mon, 1 Dec 2003, Robert Munro wrote:
> > Good afternoon, Jason,
> > There will be 2 x Toy Runs on Sunday, December 14th. One run leaves from
> > Cranbourne (with a Police escort) and will go DIRECTLY to Williamstown,
to
> > join in the other events taking place at the venue organised by the
> > Williamstown Motor Cycle Club. The donated Toys etc. can be left for the
> > "Smith Family" either at Cranbourne or at Williamstown. This particular
> > run is being co-ordinated by Barbara Maggs (a Ulyssian), and you can
> > contact her on 5998 2424, on her Mobile 0412 910 383. The Cranbourne run
> > assembles at 9.00 AM.
> > The other run is hosted by the MRAA, with the assembly point being the
> > Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road. The run itself starts from the Old /
> > New Art Gallery, just a bit closer to the City proper than the Vic.
> > Barracks. There will then be a ride through some parts of the city,
> > finishing up at Federation Square. For details on this, look up website
> > www.toyrun.com.au.
> > For myself, I will be joining the group leaving from Cranbourne, along
> > with quite a number of other Ulyssians. I hope this information is of
some
> > help to you.
> > Regards,
> > Bob Munro. #19789
> > (Ulysses Club, Melbourne Branch Quartermaster).
> > Crane Australia P/L. (Victorian Manufacturing Division).
> > Ph. (03) 9465 2755.
> > Fax. (03) 9466 1365.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jason Allen
> > Sent: Sunday, 30 November 2003 2:15 AM
> > To: (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed);
> > (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed);
> > (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed); (E-Mail Removed)
> > Subject: Cranbourne Toy Run Meet Point
> > Hi,
> > In the Yahoo!Groups mailing list forum, melb-moto
> > (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/melb-moto), Damian Codognotto is
> > claiming that the Melbourne Ulysses club will not be joining the
official
> > and long running Melbourne MRA Toy Run http://www.toyrun.com.au) in
riding
> > from St.Kilda Rd to Federation Square but instead, after many many years
> > it will be holding it's own separating Toy Run and terminating in
> > Williamstown (joining the Williamstown Motorcycle Club's Bikes by the
Bay
> > event). Is this the case, or is the Cranbourne meet point indeed joining
> > with the offical MRA Toy Run, liek all previous years, and terminating
at
> > Federation Square? Thanks.
> > Cheers,
> > Jason Allen
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