Australia
Hot Dinner Wednesdays
July 10, 2011 | 
Author Sydney:
Each Wednesday, the Christ Mission Possible ministry attends a church local to their area to feed the disadvantaged, hand out food parcels, and generally bring some light to the lives of those who live in a society that is seemingly indifferent to their position. This 
passed Wednesday (6-7-11) however was a little different from most with the arrival and assistance to St James Anglican church, of the Compadres CMC, a Christian motorcycle club from Western Sydney.
Club members, Rob and Mark donned the hairnets and rubber gloves then placed themselves behind the tables to help dish out various food stuffs, whilst other members spoke to the many people who had attended for what could (for some), have been the only decent hot meal they’d had that day or possibly days.
Compadres members made themselves open and often overly talkative with the assembled masses, but it was all brought in to perspective as Carl, the Compadres president was heard to say to a fellow member, “this is what it’s all about.”
The club also put their bikes on display, fielding many a question from the elderly through to youngsters.
Ride – A Radio Show
What’s the next best thing to having some motorcycle fun? Listening to others who are having it as well!
And you can do that on Thursdays for two hours from 10pm on 2CCR FM 90.5 when national motorcycling identity
Greg Hirst will entertain you with;
* Humorous stories of a motorcycle nature
* Interviews with well known motorcycle riders
* Stories from Aussie motorcycle clubs about their positive activities
* Update of key some motorcycling issues
* News on local and national motorcycle events (especially for those listening online)
* Studio guests to talk about their personal motorcycling experiences
* And lots of great Aussie rock, blues and alternate music, plus a little overseas stuff.
So listen in every Thursday for some motorcycle radio fun: on radio in Sydney or online on the 2CCR website around Australia. For more information contact Greg on www.greghirstenterprises.com.au
Zac’s Place
God’s Squad is riding into town to set up a place where those living on the fringes of our society can find themselves at home.
The old St Clement’s community hall/tennis clubhouse is being transformed into Zac’s Place, an outreach centre which is unashamedly Christian in ethos and completely committed to extending a hand to local people in need.
The initiative is derived from a model in Swansea, Wales, where a church for ragamuffins was founded by the European president of the God’s Squad Christian Motorcycle Club, Sean Stillman.
Glenn Stewart, president of the Southern NSW chapter of God’s Squad, and his wife Ros have spent some time in the UK learning the tricks of the trade and growing their passion.
They have applied this experience to establish Zac’s Place in Yass, which they define as being all about community.
God’s Squad, which primarily exists to minister among the biker fraternity as a relevant and accepted expression of the Christian Church, has been working in the Yass Valley for about eight years. Mr Stewart said the nondenominational group has identified a need here but is also willing to be flexible in the service it will offer the 
community.
The doors of Zac’s Place will be open to everyone – men, women, young adults and the elderly. You don’t have to be a member of a motorcycle club or a church to find solace at the facility, which will act as a ‘drop-in centre’.
We want to offer whatever is needed. There is a lot of great work being done here and a lot of support already being offered so we don’t want to double up, Mr Stewart said.
Zac’s Place is for everyone and everyone is welcome come as you are is our motto. Mr Stewart has bent over backwards to overcome the negative stereotype often associated with motorcycle clubs.
We’ve gone out of our way to be a positive part of Yass, he said.
A few in our group live here and we’ve gone out to meet the neighbours and explain what we’re doing and they have all been very happy.
The message we want to portray is that God’s Squad is here to help; not just bikers but all marginalised people. We’re not here to take over, we are here to support.
God’s Squad has reached an in-kind agreement with St Clement’s Church over the use of the old clubhouse: God’s Squad will put time and resources into giving the tired old premises a makeover and the Anglican Church will donate the building back to God’s Squad to use as its base.
Reverend Genieve Blackwell said the partnership presents an exciting opportunity to work with a group that has been doing good things in the community for many years.
Source: Yass Tribune
Full Story: http://www.yasstribune.com.au/news/local/news/general/gods-squad-at-zacs-place/2100711.aspx?storypage=0
Additional info posted by the Editor from a comment received by gazroly:
There is now a website for Zac’s Place, please feel free to take a look. http://www.zacsplaceinc.org
Sydney Bikie Loses Parking Fine Fight
A Sydney court has rejected a motorcycle club member’s attempt to contest a fine for parking illegally outside the New South Wales Parliament.
Greg Hirst, from the Brotherhood Christian Motorcycle Club, was one of at least 30 bikers who gathered outside parliament in June last year to protest against the State Government’s anti-bikie legislation.
Hirst told the court a police officer gave them permission to leave their bikes outside parliament while they went inside to deliver a letter to the Attorney-General.
The court heard they were not issued fines on the day but police took video footage of the bikes and sent the $84 fines later.
Police Inspector David Maguire, who was in charge, denied giving verbal permission but said he did not ask the bikies to move in an effort to keep the peace.
Magistrate Alex Mijovich rejected the application, saying Hirst admitted to knowingly parking there.
He was fined $200 plus court costs.
The fines given to the other bikies are scheduled to be dealt with in a fortnight.
Source: ABC
Full Story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/21/3144475.htm
Church Service in aid of ODAR
On the 6th Feb in aid of http://www.odar.com.au there was an open church service at St James Anglican Church.
It began with a general service, followed by David Gough being invited up to tell his and the ODAR story – this was followed by the offer of a coffee and a meal if you wanted it. We all pretty much ended up in the car park chatting and taking photos and gathering for a bike blessing carried out by Rev Smith. I must admit though, the turnout disappointed me, but as David pointed out, there was quality not quantity – I was well pleased to catch up with Mario from Bikers for Christ though.
R,R&B
Chepe
Compadres CMC (Sydney chapter)
Posted in Australia | 
Tags: Australia, Bikers for Christ, Church, Compadres CMC, ODAR, Service | 
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Bikers ride for cancer council
THE sweet chorus of hundreds of motorcycles rumbled through Gladstone on Sunday.
It was a sight to behold as a procession of pink, leather and shiny chrome weaved its way through city streets onto the open highway as part of the seventh annual Bumz on Bikes. Held in aid of Cancer Council Queensland for research into breast cancer, the charity ride continues to grow from strength to strength with a record outpouring of support for this year’s event.
About 150 participants were expected to take part in the ride, but organisers were left stunned when more than 200 showed up bright and early for the worthy cause. And they came from everywhere with riders from Gladstone, Rockhampton, Biloela, Bundaberg, Callide Valley, Hervey Bay and Kingaroy taking part.
There were participants of all ages from children to the hardened motorcycle enthusiasts – dogs included. And they all spread their own bit of cheer with many donning pink clothing or decorating their bikes with pink boas, tinsel and ribbons with accompanying teddy bears and stuffed toys.
Speaking to The Observer, proud event spokesman Dave Murray said the response had been absolutely tremendous. “The day is all about the women (breast cancer survivors),” Mr Murray said. “Quite a few breast cancer survivors are coming on their first ride and they will be looked after well. “It really is a great day … a celebration of life.”
Ride first-timers Anna Andersen and Judy Sanderson were two of the breast cancer survivors who took part in the ride. Riding with her husband Bruce aboard his Harley Davidson Road King, Ms Andersen said it was good to make people aware of the cause. Ms Andersen said early detection and treatment of breast cancer was vitally important.
She said women know their own bodies and should go on their gut feelings. “Having breast cancer opens up your eyes … it’s like a second chance at life,” Ms Andersen said. “It makes you appreciate life and the everyday things.”
And Ms Sanderson admitted that although feeling nervous, she was excited about participating in her first Bumz on Bikes ride. Riding with Mr Murray, Ms Sanderson was joined in the ride by her daughter Kristy Barker.
“This is way out of my comfort zone; getting on the back of a bike,” Ms Sanderson said. “But it will be all good at the end of the day.”
Bumz on Bikes was founded by breast cancer survivor Narelle (Noddy) Groundstroem who lives in the Bundaberg area. In coordinating the ride, Noddy takes care of the Southern Wide Bay contingent which meets up with the Gladstone region contingent at Granite Creek, south of Miriam Vale. Here the riders enjoy a lunch and the chance to mingle all in the name of charity.
It’s here they do their routine raffles and giveaways before hosting the serious side of the day – the sacred releasing of balloons ceremony. Pink helium balloons with the names of friends, family and motorcycle group members who have been lost to breast cancer are released into the air, followed by a minute’s silence.
Source: The Observer
Full Story: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2010/10/26/bikers-ride-for-cancer-council/
