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Arnold.D.Lockrey
2nd March 2010
On Tuesday 2nd Marck I rode up to my local RSL, Doylason-Wyee to pay my Sub Branch fees, this was at about 11:50am. As I walked into the club and showed mymembership cardthe lady on the deskstatedthat I would haveto take my vest off owtherwise I was not allowedinto the club. I asked why and was told the club would not let bikes in withcolours on. I then explained to the lady that we were not classed as a 1% gang and I was told that I was not allowed in unless I took off my vest. I asked under what law this was and was told Liquor Act, and I was informed that this was displayed on the front board Club rules.
The door person then rang the Club CEO and asked him if I was allowed in, and the firm answer was no. I then asked to speak to someone from the Sub Branch, the President was going past then, I asked to speak to the CEO. After a short time I spoke to both of them, the President stated that they had no say in the matter. Speaking to the CEO I asked him as to why could I not come in with my vest on as number 1) I was a member of the club and more importantly a returned member and a member of their Sub Branc, he stated his hands were tied as the licensing branchstated it was the law. The clubs were to enforce it, I asked the CEO what law, I was told again, Liquor Act, I asked what part, he couldn't say. I explained what I believed they were referring to and said I didn't believe it was right or legal, but was told they were sorry but were not going to buck the Police. I aske who the officer was and was told it was a Superintendent Gardener from the Entrance.
This was the second time tat thi sort of thing has happened at Doyalson RSL. A fortnight earlier I meet my wife, daughter and grandchildren at the club for tea. I had been out riding so had my vest on, I was allowed into the club, but when I was outside playing with my grandchildren, a duty manager asked me to take off my vest or leave the club, as it was law not to have club colours on in a club or licensed premises. Again was told it was in the Liquor Act, again I refused to leave or take off my vest, all he could do was say he was sorry but it was the law, sense prevailed and he allowed me to stay as I do not drink, I could not be classed as drunk. I am terribly embarrassed that my family had to witness this argument as this club is my home club. I enjoy the opportunity to go there with my family and friends, but now I am being told what I can wear even though we are not classed as 1% ers. I am proud to be a member of the Vietnam Veteran Motorcylce club. I associate with people who have shared the same experiences as myself and the dangers and the sight of friends dying. These membersare people I can talk to and am vey proud to associate with. I aso believe I have earned the right to wear my very unique colours, the front of my vest is for the 501 brotherswho didn't come home.
I rang Toukley RSL and asked if I went to this club wearing my colours would I be allowed in, I was put on to the duty manager and again was told no as it was the law no colours to be let into a licensed premises, again told Liquor Act. When I stated I was a veteran, he said he was not happy about the ruling but again the licensing Police stated it was the law. The clubs have written letters to state that they are banning bikie colours from their premises, this push by the Police has been on going for the last 12 months. I stated it smacked off discrimination, he then said the Police told themthat the bikies and their lawyers tried to play that one and it was thrown out of Court and that I couldn't say it was discrimination because of this. But when I told him of SA laws being overturned, he was shocked, I was also told that all clubs and pubs in the Tuggerah Lakes Area Command, were going to have to enforce this law.
Both clubs stated that if i get a letter from the Police saying that the Vietnam Veterans were exempt, they would let me in wearing my colours but until then I cannot go to my club wearing my colours with my family and friend, this means that if I am riding I have to go home and change and go back to the club, why should I have to be ashamed of being a Vietnam Veteran.
Doyalson RSL Club board dress rules now has anybody wearing gang related clothing or bike related apparel is not allowed in, this has only been added in the last week. I would like to know what law I have been breaking under the Liquor Act and what law states I cannot go into my club with my vest on?
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Arnold.Lockrey
Hello UMC On the 31st October, 2009. We had a group of our Social Club members approx 100 staying in Albury for a weekender supporting a local show run by Apex, 55 Members booked in at Paddy’s Irish Hotel, their accommodation paid months in advance at a cost of $3,500 .However upon arrival they were told to remove vests, T Shirts, Caps all club insignia .The duty Manager started to refuse entry because we wore bike gear and said he didn’t want trouble with Police or 1% Clubs.The security staff got involved and matters got worse,we would not recommend this hotel to anyone who rides social or otherwise . We do not support the proposal of draconian laws that would erode civil liberty or would assign guilt by association. Many of our members served in active service to protect the democratic principles of Australia not to be Harassed and Discriminated in this way just because we ride bikes EASYRIDERS AUSTRALIA SMC Since 1975
A crying shame, the betrayal of an Australian icon
Frank has all the characteristics of an exemplary Australian; a family man, a small business owner and, most notably, a charitable soul – recognised at the highest level by earning an Order of Australia Medal in 2004.
Frank also enjoys riding motorcycles with his mates. However, this final example of quintessential Australian behaviour has put the brakes on his beloved charitable efforts following government attacks on motorcycle clubs through new anti-association laws across the country.
As a proud member of the Finks Motorcycle Club, Frank has recently been forced to suspend his charitable ventures as community support has waned following negative media and government attention.
“Unfortunately, the relentless government opposition to motorcycle clubs has led to the community getting the wrong idea about people like me,” he said.
“This has led to loss of support for my charities, which will ultimately be the ones to suffer.”
Frank has a long-standing history of charitable involvement with his local New South Wales northern beaches community.
He founded the Melissa Walters Foundation to raise funds to help people suffering from major difficulties or traumas without insurance or compensation.
Local resident Melissa Walters lost her arm and received no official support. .
“I organised a series of charity nights to raise money for her and other members of the northern beaches community,” he said.
“We had a lot of local personalities and celebrities, including Tony Abbott, fighting to raise money.
“As I ran the local Ford dealership at that time, I went to blows with the local Holden dealer.”
One good turn led to many others, and Frank then sponsored the 21 Surf Life Saving clubs along the NSW northern beaches.
He also founded a program to rehabilitate young people who had been in trouble with the law, often leading to them achieving stable employment.
But his dreams of contributing to his local community have been dashed by the government effort to outlaw and discredit motorcycle clubs.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to continue my charitable engagements following withdrawal of volunteers and donations,” he said.
“DHL has taken over the sponsorship of the 21 Surf Life Saving clubs that I was once able to support.”
Although the community had known of Frank’s decade-long involvement with the Finks, this only had an effect on his charitable engagements following the media frenzy surrounding the new laws.
Frank began his interest in the Finks in 1997 when his Ford dealership sponsored a bike show and he met members of the club.
“I realised I had everything I could have ever imagined – but I didn’t really have any close friends,” he said.
“There’s nothing like it; my social life revolves around the club.”
As a committed father of three - two teenage boys aged 14 and 15 and a girl,35, ) - Frank insists on the family nature of the Finks club.
“My boys have been brought up around the club,” he said.
“They have been taught respect and good social behaviour.
“They know how to stand up for themselves but bullying is against their nature.”
Frank made the point that although some of his friends in the Finks have been accused of crime, they have not been convicted.
“In my situation, I have been awarded a high award, I have no criminal conviction – I simply like to ride my bike and to be with my friends.
“In some cases a friend is in trouble with the law but that doesn’t mean I condone what they’ve done.”
He believes that if one of his friends, club member or not, gets into trouble with the law, abandoning them can only worsen the situation.
“It’s just the natural Australian thing to stick by your friends,” he said.
“These things happen but the person involved shouldn’t be left alone.”
With South Australia’s anti-association laws being overturned by the state’s highest court recently, the reputation of community-minded motorcyclists may be returned in the near future.
