National Motoring Heritage Day, Tooborac, 18 May

On the 18th of May 2025, the Association of Motoring Clubs’ (AOMC) held their National Motoring Heritage Day (NMHD) that aimed to promote and display Australia’s strong motoring heritage. To support the AOMC and the NMHD, the Classic Motorcycle Club of Victoria (CMCCV) in conjunction with the Bendigo Historic Motorcycle Club (BHMCC) coordinated a motorcycle display and lunch at the Tooborac Hotel & Brewery.

For all those that rode to Tooborac, the day likely started off like mine in cursing myself for not investing in heated grips, followed by rummaging through the closet for my best cold weather gear, as the prevailing early morning temperature was only a couple of degrees above zero and a max of 14 for the day. Although being very cold, fortunately unlike the previous day, there was no rain forecasted with only blue skies above – a great day to be motorcycling.

To ensure we had a patch of bitumen out the front of the Tooborac Hotel to park the bikes on, a few members arrived early before the main group to stake out a claim. As each rider arrived, they were usually greeted by a comment like “cold enough for ya?” Which more often than not, evoked a reply that involved something about a metallic monkey and his off balls.

The Tooborac Hotel pie shop fortunately was open from 9am, so those that had arrived early were able to sit around in the sun having a nice hot coffee while we waited for the main group of riders to arrive.

Just before 11am Club Captain John (Killingsworth) arrived leading the group of bikes that had made their way up from Greensborough. Like those that had arrived early, the riders passed comment on the temperature and a desire to warm up with a hot brew. As usual there was much talking amongst the riders as they walked around checking out what other bikes were on display. The judges were also making their way amongst the bikes to pick the winners of the seven categories being judged for the day.

As those in attendance were mulling about chatting and selecting their pick for the People’s Choice award, one final bike turned up, a 1968 BSA Bantam Supreme. Now the Bantam is not the most unique or desired after motorcycle, but sometimes it is more to do with the combination of the rider and bike that makes it a standout. So, when the Club Treasurer Nick (Oakey), who lives in Lara and stands around the old 6-foot five inches mark rolls up at Tooborac on the diminutive Bantam, which when avoiding freeways is close to 150 kilometres, it was certainly a standout.

For lunch there was a choice of a pie from the hotel’s pie shop or a meal in the hotel itself. Anyone who has not had a Tooborac pie, I highly recommend you do as not only are these delicious, but the size of the pie is a meal in its own. Those that did not have a pie headed up to the hotel’s first level where we were finally able to warm up in a room that had a nice fire going. The next hour or so was passed in conversation as we tucked into some classic pub fare that was both hearty and generous in size, whilst also enjoying a glass of the Tooborac’s locally brewed beer.

Lunch was followed by the awarding of plaques that were funded out of a contribution by the AOMC to support this NMHD event, and gift vouchers from AMX Superstores that had kindly been arranged by Peter Mathew’s son Shane. The categories and the winners for the day were:

• Best Motorcycle pre-1960: 
• 1956 Norvin – Vince Rogers

• Best Motorcycle 1960-69:
• 1968 BSA Banton Supreme – Nick Oakley
• 1969 Triumph T100 – Stuart Dashper

• Best Motorcycle 1970-79: 
• 1972 Norton Commando 750 – Colin Borthwick

• Best Motorcycle 1980-89:
• 1981 Honda CB900 – Arthur Hampson

• Best Motorcycle 1990-99:
• 1999 Yamaha XJR1300 – Graham Boulter

• People’s Choice:
• 1956 Norvin – Vince Rogers

After lunch and the presentation of plaques, those in attendance made their way home either in small groups or by themselves.

A big personal thanks to the following:

• The AOMC for coordinating the NMHD and the financial contribution made for the plaques awarded on the day.
• AMX Superstores and Shane Mathews for the gift vouchers that accompanied the awards.
• The Tooborac Hotel & Brewery for supporting the event and the hospitality provided.
• Pete Mathews for promoting the NMHD and the event.
• John Killingsworth and Phil Young for leading the ride and tail end Charlie duties.
• All CMCCV and BHMCC members and their guests that attended, including those who donned the optimal cold weather gear – a car.
• Vince Rogers for donating the AMX Superstores vouchers he won back to the Club to be used as raffle prizes at CMCCV meetings.

Cheers,

Jimmy Linton

CMCCV President

David Tennant
Mike Pougher

Peter Cullen

Paul Clayton

Richard Mason

John & Vicky Best

John Mannu & Maude Smith

Gary & Yolanda Moore