Motorcyclists pay it forward

By Bree Harding

Dec 19, 2024

Shepparton Foodshare operations manager Graeme Murphy, GV Social Rider Hank Doller, GV Social Rider Jolene Doller, Shepparton Foodshare treasurer Russell Smith, GV Social Rider Patrick O'Brien and Shepparton Foodshare volunteer Gillian Damianopoulos at the cheque handover. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

A bunch of bikers rolled into the bustling Shepparton Foodshare warehouse in Mooroopna on Thursday morning to deliver a small piece of paper with a big figure on it.

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It was one of three places the big-hearted bikers made stops during that donation-delivering day.

Foodshare gratefully accepted $3000, while Tatura and Toolamba CFAs were gifted $1000 each.

The donations came from $5000 that was granted to GV Social Riders and the Ulysses Club to redistribute to their community how they saw fit after their volunteering members provided on-course support at last month’s Tatura 200 Charity Bike Ride and Walk.

The 14th annual cycling and walking event, affectionately known as the TAT200, was an initiative of the Tatura Milk Industries board to extend its community support beyond its traditional stakeholders.

Participants cycle or walk various distances, the longest being a 200km ride.

Sponsorship money raised through the event is donated to local charities, organisations and community groups within the Goulburn Valley.

More than $1 million has been raised since the event started in 2008.

GV Social Riders and members of the Goulburn Valley’s Ulysses Club assisted with directions, hazard identification, refreshments and a vehicle presence for the 100 and 200 events at the TAT200.

Shepparton Foodshare treasurer and board member Russell Smith said the charity was grateful for donations of any amount at any time but the $3000 lump sum had come at a crucial time for the region whose demand for food relief was growing.

“We are extremely grateful this time of year for this very sizeable donation,” Mr Smith said.

“It shows the widespread support in the Goulburn Valley region where many varied and different groups work hard to support our vision at Foodshare, where no person, regardless of their circumstances, should go hungry, especially at this time of year.”

GV Social Riders’ Jolene Doller thanked the TAT200 committee for giving the club the opportunity to help out and pay it forward.

“I also sincerely thank all the motorcycle volunteers for donating a full day and their expertise to selflessly support the wider community — Dean O'Hara, Hank Doller, John Painter, Malcom Paddley, Patrick O'Brien, Peter Curtis and Tony Harstedt,” she said.

“Community helping community is what we do.”