M.R.A. – Motorcycle Riders Association

This section is dedicated to all those who were involved in the M.R.A. (SA) in whatever capacity.

I have written more about this time at the bottom of this page.

My memory is rapidly fading about this time, so any other info and/or corrections is greatly appreciated

In 1979, I joined the MRA in Victoria. I didn’t think FAM (Federation of Australian Motorcyclists) in South Australia was doing enough.

In reality, they had been working hard to represent motorcyclists in the state, but I was young and idealistic, and figured we needed the same public awareness events and pro-active stance as in Victoria, so decided to form a branch of MRA in South Australia.

I placed a small avert in the Friday ‘motorcycling’ ad section of the Advertiser and News newspapers (it was the most popular day for motorcycle adverts), asking for anyone interested in doing the same to meet at my home to discuss it.

About a dozen people turned up, and a South Australian branch was quickly formed.

My memories of its early days are extremely hazy, but I think we first began meeting in a pub that was used by the Kawasaki Z900 club.

Eventually, we held weekly meetings in the Trades Hall in Adelaide. Modern and comfortable, the rooms were quite large and we used to get a reasonable amount of members attending, especially for the special meetings. Meetings were held once a fortnight.

We had a newsletter editor, membership coordinator, secretary and so on, plus a number of committee members (list below).

Young and enthusiastic, we believed in our mission to let those who ride decide. It was a great time.

We organised protest runs, toy runs, poker runs and other events to gain public awareness and raise finance. We even raffled a new Harley Davison to raise funds

One success was a twenty four hour protest outside the government insurance office in Adelaide. After a day on the footpath outside the offices, handing out pamphlets and talking to the public, we spent the night there. Coffee was supplied by a local café.

We also had some excellent FAM members on the committee, and FAM eventually joined the MRA to make an even stronger lobby group.

MRA Committee 1981: Bob Cocker, Bruce Denson, Jeff Bradley, Bob Pilgrim, ‘Saint’, Luke Uren.

MRA Committee 1982: Bob Cocker, Bruce Denson, Heather Malpas, Brian Vogt, Renfrey Ansell, Martha Gurr, Jeff Gurr, Ann Noble, Keith Ohm, Geoff Bradley.

I remember others, too: Barbara and Bill (Honda CB900F), Max Sebben (Yamaha XS750), Mike Sutherland (Kawasaki Z650/Laverda 1000 Jota), Kevin Murphy(?) (chopped Kawasaki Z900), newsletter editor Jack Burckhardt, committee stalwart ‘Saint’ (chopped Yamaha XS650), Kathy, Brendon ‘Shorty’ Wayne (Norton 850).

Apologies to anyone I’ve forgotton.