Almanac Road Trips: Blue Ribbon Ride to Remember 2025 Ararat

 

Blue Ribbon Ride to Remember 2025 Ararat  April 6^th *

 

 

 

I don’t know if anyone on this ride appreciates the area around Stawell and Ararat more than me.  It has a very special feeling for me whenever I return, whether it is this ride or for other reason.

 

This area is where I learnt how to be a very good primary teacher.  It is a place where I made lasting friendships, even though I now live in Colac.  I was told long ago, that the further you head north in Victoria, the friendlier people get.  I found this to be true when I moved to the area in the early 1970s.

 

The area is stooped in history, whether it be the colonial gold mining era, or the indigenous custodians of the area, the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people.

 

 

Stan Kluzek on his bike.

 

Stan’s wife Marlene on her bike

 

As you began your ride up the Pyrenees Highway and then turned north, did you know that there are still gold riches buried beneath the Pyrenees Ranges?  It’s estimated that during the colonial days north east of Crowlands and east of Landsborough, only ten percent of the gold was actually mined from this area, but it was still a huge amount.  So approximately ninety percent of gold, still remains in the ranges, but almost impossible to access.   One of the first transactions of exchanging gold for money in Victoria, took place at Crowlands. The gold apparently came from a place called Deep Lead, which we would skirt later on, during our ride.

 

 

On this part of our Ride to Remember, we rode through very familiar places for me.   I could almost feel the Pyrenees Ranges reaching out to me.  The Joel Joel -Joel South area is very fond to me. In the 1970s, I was a member of the red-hot Joel Joel Fire Brigade Team, winning many competitions. Also attending old-time dances at the Joel Hall. Beautiful place, beautiful people.

 

Through Stawell, we rode.  Many riders may have realised that they passed the place of the richest and oldest footrace in the world, The Stawell Gift.  I was privileged to see Cathy Freeman run here.  In a couple of weeks’ time, a young kid of 17 may make Gift history.

 

 

We then rode towards the Grampians, past Lake Fyans, to a town we should always embrace, as they do us.   Welcome signs all around the town of Pomonal, thanking the greater community for helping to rebuild the place after devastating bushfires.    I felt again at home, thinking about a young graduate teacher at the Pomonal School, who I shared my newly learnt knowledge with.  As we had morning tea, I could not help but think that I can almost touch and breathe the beautiful Grampians (Gariwerd).

 

We then headed north past Lake Fyans.   It had much more water in it when I was younger, when I learnt to waterski, courtesy of the friendship I had made with a farmer from Joel South and a mechanic from Stawell.

 

Then around the top of Lake Londsdale, a lake that periodically dries up because it is very shallow.  I have seen it full of water, and I have ridden a dirt bike across it when it has been dry.  It has even been sown to crop in some years.

 

 

Heading west towards the Grampians, these mountains will always prevail, the bushfires won’t destroy the Grampians.   However, the wildlife would have suffered enormously, early in the year.  On our ride, my heart ached when I saw a kangaroo, still alive, but immobile on the side of the road, as we headed past Halls Gap, past Pomonal, towards Moyston.  Possibly hit by a vehicle.

 

Some of you may remember that Moyston was famous for its annual rabbit skinning competition.  Thank goodness that we have seen the last of that practice many years ago.

 

After we headed through Moyston, we then entered the last part of our journey and headed towards the Alexandra Gardens in Ararat for the official presentations and lunch. Past J Ward, which was still functional when I lived in the area.  Beside the Gardens is the swimming pool that I nearly drowned in trying to get my AustSwim certificate.  Very inglorious. No certificate.

 

 

Prizes and presentations over. Lunch consumed.  Plenty of fellowship among riders familiar past and familiar new.  Finally, riders drifting off to the local accommodation or home.  Will the riders be back?   I suspect they will.  Do the riders share the same thoughts as me about the area and the ride? Probably not.

 

For me it’s a Ride to Remember on two equally important levels.

 

A piece of my heart will always be here in spirit.

 

Stan Kluzek

 

Footnote

Important Information about the Ride to Remember

 

* The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation perpetuates the memory of members of the Victoria Police who have died in the line of duty through the support of worthwhile community projects within Victoria.

 

In total, 175 Victoria Police members have died in the line of duty. Of these, 30 have been murdered, which underlines the dangers police members face on a daily basis.

 

The Annual Ride to Remember is part of the many events organised by Blue Ribbon Foundation.   The money raised from this event is donated to the Ararat & District Hospital for the benefit of the community.   

 

Despite a postponement due to the bushfires early in the year, there were over five hundred riders participating.

 

 

Read more from Stan Kluzek Here.

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE