Countdown on for the year’s 520km Murray to Moyne ride
14 February 2008
Western District Health Service’s two Murray to Moyne teams can be seen around Hamilton, putting in some training miles in preparation for the year’s 520km Charity Ride between Mildura and Port Fairy.
This year the tough event starts in the hotter weather of the sunny Sunraysia on Saturday April 5 and concludes in the cooler coastal town 24 hours later.
In 2007 the two teams raised $21,000 to help with the care and treatment of patients and residents at Hamilton Base Hospital and Penshurst and District Health Service.
Rouse Rare Rumps raised $13,400 which was directed towards the upgrade of aged care facilities at PDHS.
Hamilton Base Bikers, with the help of Iluka Resources, amounted $7,645, which was spread across the Health Service, purchasing chairs for the Adult Day Activity Service and the Birches, an ultra sound and trolley for the physiotherapy department, phonic ear microphones for the Day Centre, a reclining shower commode for the Grange and a CPR manikin.
Both teams have dedicated riders, who have supported the Murray to Moyne teams for many years.
The Penshurst team has cycled south from the Murray River each year since 1989 as Penshurst Peddlers, Pirates of Penshurst and finally Rouse Rare Rumps, with stalwart Brendan Cottrill participating in all but two. This year he is pleased to welcome the young legs of two new team members aged 14 and 15.
Hamilton Base Bikers were there at the inception of Murray to Moyne. The Base Bikers have been well supported over the years by HBH staff. Ward Clerk Viv Rowe rode in seven relays, while Tony Dyson and Craig McAllister have been great supporters.
Ron Sommerville though, has ridden in the most Murray to Moyne relays for Hamilton Base Bikers, and will line up for another journey south this year.
The Hamilton team won the Team Safety Award in 2001, for the safest riding and driving during that year’s ride.
The Murray to Moyne Charity Bike Ride began in 1987, when a few cycling enthusiasts raised $10,000 in total. In 2007 1,628 riders represented 152 health organisations and raised almost $1.3 million to improve health care facilities and services across Victoria and southern New South Wales.