Rider profile: Bruce Jeffrey

Home town: Tamworth



"This is my fifth ride and I love riding in different areas and sharing a beer with lots of new faces."



Bruce is sponsored on the Barossa to Tamworth Chairty Bike Ride by businesses including Bath Stewart, Northapp. Centrelink and Calrossy Anglican School.

Rider profile: John Gillard (Jack)

Home town: Anna Bay

"I’m a 52 year old coal miner. Born and raised in Kurri and now reside in paradise (Anna Bay).
I have enjoyed numerous Westpac Cycle Classics, laughing and riding through lots of NSW. These annual rides have been highlighted by meeting numerous wonderful riders and supporters. I feel honoured to be able to assist the Rescue Helicopter Service. I have also ridden down from Cape York and across Oz from Broome. Riding from Coolangatta to Newcastle unsupported with a small group of mates was one of our most enjoyable tours.
Adelaide to Tamworth will be special for me because I will be joined by my wife, Julie and daughter Carly."

Support crew: Juile Gillard

Home town: Anna Bay

"I have waved my husband off many times as he has embarked on his cycling trips. Now I’m going too! After supporting for two weeks in June 2009 from Broome to Katherine I found out why he loves it so much. The friendships built on these trips are special. The camaraderie between the riders is phenomenal, and the respect they have for their support crew makes it rewarding.
This trip is special for me because my daughter Carly is riding as well as John and I’ll be there to support them both. Oh and of course all the other riders.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is a service many people rely on and I feel privileged to be able to assist in any way in raising much needed funds."

Rider profile: Nick McLoughlin

When first asked to join this ride Nick’s response was “no way, that’s a crazy thing to do”. After much thought and deliberation (and a lot of encouragement), Nick has signed up to take on the challenge. Joined by Bob, another teacher from McIntyre High School, they carry the flag for Inverell.

Nick has been a keen cyclist for many years, albeit with the bike mostly in the shed. This ride has inspired him to get it out in readiness to take on this challenge, his first with the Westpac crew. He is looking forward to this unique adventure and the opportunities it provides. When asked what inspired him most about this journey he replied, “I’m excited by the thought of crossing the state slowly, experiencing the people and places along the way. Let’s hope that it is not too slow for the guy who is more at home on a bike with horse power and not pedal power.

Encouraged by family and friends, this adventure is the latest in a long line of travels for this former Novocastrian. Having toured much of the country on horse back, motor bike, 4WD and on foot, the prospect of a cycling adventure is the first with community focus. “It is a privilege to help raise funds for such a worthwhile service, whilst helping to raise its profile to the wider community.

Nick wishes to thank those who have supported him, and looks forward to joining all the riders as they embark on achieving the outcomes of raising funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Rider profile: Steve Warden

Home town: Tamworth
Previous Rides for the Service: Six
Any other mountain bike rides: Nil

Reason for participating in the Barossa to Tamworth ride:
“The feeling you get from people when you ride into the small towns which the services covers, the great camaraderie, with the group of riders and support group, the feeling you get when you see the helicopter in the sky, but know that someone could be in trouble and celebrating a special birthday next year are all reasons.
“But I’m riding because no one ever knows when you or a loved one may need the assistance of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. More than one of my friends has been rescued by the Service.
“I think it will be a great way of promoting Tamworth and the New England North West region as we travel north too.”

Rider profile: Carly Gillard

Name: Carly Gillard

Home Town: Charlestown

Previous rides for Service: Nil

Any other mountain bike rides: Nil

Reason for participating in Barossa to Tamworth ride:
"Dad has been participating in helicopter rides for the last 12 years. I used to proudly watch him arrive home and think to myself “I would love to do something like this one day”. Recently I’ve had a career change which has given me the perfect opportunity to take up a challenge.
I think dad and my family and friends were initially quite shocked when I announced that I was going to do the Barossa ride - especially considering I didn’t even own a bike. But now I have shown that I am serious, everyone has been extremely supportive.
I am very excited to be taking part in this ride and so happy to be raising money for such a worthy cause."

Support crew profile: Greg "Goog" Davis

Name: Greg "Goog" Davis

Home town: Mulla Creek, NSW

Previous rides for the Service: Nine Mountain Bike Bashes, Three Walcha Teams Challenges and one Inverell Teams Challenge - All as a support crew member

Any other mountain bike rides: Nil

Reason for participating in the Barossa to Tamworth Ride:

" If what I do and what I contribute to the chopper helps to save a life it is worth it."

Rider profile: Kevin Garrett

Name: Kevin Garrett

Home town: Werris Creek

Previous rides for Service: Nil

Any other mountain bike rides: Nil

Reason for participating in Barossa to Tamworth ride: "I am a 59 year old retired train driver, have been riding bikes for fitness for 7 years. I have always wanted to do a ride, so when I started riding with Jake he talked me into the ride. I thought I'd take up the challenge and help raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service."

Rider profile: Phil Stewart

My name is Phil Stewart, the Chinaman. I was born and bred in Cardiff, but that’s another story. I am now a Kurri boy and proud of it.

I have been riding bikes for a good while now and I never seem to get any better. Maybe it’s the company I keep.

I have been riding for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service since 1997, I was on the first organised ride out of Newcastle. Whilst I missed the very first ride in 1996 we did re-enact that ride (from Coolangatta) in 2006 so I have been on most if not all of the Cycle Classics out of Newcastle.

I also went on Barry’s very first ride out of Tamworth ten years ago so it’s great to be invited along for the tenth anniversary of that ride. I have been on one other Bash out of Tamworth and have been at Walch every year since it’s inception.

Along with a few of the die hards I have also raised funds for the Helicopter Service on rides from Perth, Cape York and Broome.

So I am looking forward to the Barossa Ride, spending a bit of time with Barry Walton up the back.

Rider profile: Martin Parker

I am a push bike rider rather than a cyclist, there is a difference. Blokes on pushbikes don’t take riding too seriously; it’s all about having a good time.

I’ve been on a ride for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service every year since 1979. That’s where I first met Barry Walton, a great mate and a tireless worker for the Helicopter Service. I’ve made lots of good friends over the years on these sorts of rides.

Together with some of the Kurri Boys I have been on 12 West’s Cycle Classics out of the Hunter and two Mountain Bike Bashes out of Tamworth. We have also been up to Walcha for the last three years. I’ve also been lucky enough to join a few of the crew on rides from Perth, Cape York and Broome over recent years, again raising money for the Rescue Helicopter.

I’m looking forward to the Barossa Ride mainly to spend some time with Baz.I am a push bike rider rather than a cyclist, there is a difference. Blokes on pushbikes don’t take riding too seriously; it’s all about having a good time.

Rider profile: Geoff Newling

Geoff Newling



Hometown: Tamworth



Previous rides for the Service: Nil



Any other Mountain Bike rides: Nil



Reason for participating in the Barossa to Tamworth ride:

Support Crew member Keith Lockart's Profile

Keith Lockhart



Home town: Tamworth



Previous Rides for the Service: Four eigth day rides as a suport crew member



Any other mountian bike rides: One Walcha Bash as a support crew member



Reason for participating in the Barossa to Tamworth ride:

"Over a beer at the pub one night the suggestion came up that it would be a good idea to do something special for the 10 years the helicopter will have been in the region and the Barossa to Tamworth ride was mooted. As I would not be riding a bike I thought it was a great idea not only to spread the great work the service does for Tamworth and the wider region but to ptomote Tamworth and the region as a whole.

So I will be towing the BBQ trailer again and up at 5am cooking breakfast, preparing lunch and tucking the riders into bed after a few beers at night.

It's a great Service and I am only to happy to help out wherever I can."

Rider profile: Jake Thomas

Name: Jake Thomas
Home town: Werris Creek

Previous rides for the service: Four

Any other mountain bike rides: Nil

Reason for participating in Barossa to Tamworth Ride:
" I started riding bikes in 2006 to get a bit of fitness and then I heard about Westpac Rescue Helicopter through my son who was having a few beers at the Calala Inn and he registerd me for the first ride in 2006 at Dubbo.
I've done three since then. I really enjoy the company of teh other riders and the experience and didn't hesitate when the opportunity to participate in the Barossa ride came up.
I have even convinced another rider from Werris Creek to sign on with me for Barossa."

Rider profile: Barry Walton

Name: Barry Walton
Home town: Tamworth

Previous rides for the Service: Sixteen- seventeen over the past 18 years.

Any other mountain bike rides: Nil.

Reason for participating in the Barossa to Tamworth Ride:
"I think it is a remarkable achievement to be a part of the establishment of this Service in the New Enlgand North West region and to celebrate 10 years of the helicopter saving lives in the region.
I am also participating in the ride in memory of my mum, who passed away in August 2009, and in honour of my father both of whom have followed, supported and encouraged my sporting and work careers throughout my life."

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