Harleys gear up for rally

By Melissa Meehan
LOCAL residents will soon hear a roar of thunder through the townships of the Yarra Valley.
During March the Harley Owners Group will hold their Annual Hog Rally in Yarra Glen at the racecourse in a closed meet that is open to members only.
Riders from all around Australia and New Zealand will attend the closed rally on the weekend of March 8 and 9.
Organiser Lee Walter said that it was an opportunity for locals to showcase the Yarra Valley, and will host rides for members to destinations including Marysville, Kinglake, Toolangi, and the Dandenongs.
On Sunday 9 March the group will hold a ‘Thunder Ride’ which expected to include over 300 motorcycles riding through Yarra Glen, down St Huberts Road to Healesville and then back to Yarra Glen.
Ms Walter said that the ‘Thunder Ride’ was aptly named due to the noise of the motorcycles.
Locals are invited to meet the Thunder riders at the Railway Precinct in Healesville to take part in a Show and Shine.
Ms Walter said that the Show and Shine was an opportunity for both locals and tourists to take part in the weekend.
“We hope that it will promote riding motorcycles, but it will also be a family friendly day out,” Ms Walter said.
“The Railway Precinct is organising a sausage sizzle, and we are organising a colouring competition for the local kids.”
All money raised during the Thunder Ride weekend will go to the Peter McCallum Institute.
In the past the group has donated among other things DVD players, including DVDs, CDs and a computer for patients who stay in the hospital.