In front of a small but dedicated group of fund raisers including members of the Ulyssess Motor Cycle Club from Whyalla and the Barossa Valley, Ride to the Rock Co-ordinator Steve Woolley presented the first of the awards from the 2008 event at a dinner in the Spalding Hotel on Saturday night.

Ride to the Rock is an annual charity motor cycle ride that raises funds for Cancer Council SA via the Relay for Life program. It has been in operation since 2005 and has raised in excess of $25,000 in cash and donations in kind over that period of time.

The 2008 Ride started at Spalding and travelled to Wudinna Rock on Eyre Peninsula before continuing around the west coast of the State and returning to Spalding.

“Our fund raising in 2008 was greatly boosted by the efforts of two Spalding identities who deserve our thanks for the dedicated effort they each put in to raising close to $8,000 last year” Steve said.

“The Charity Golf Day at Spalding has become an annual fund raising event and in 2008 Carol Boulton was single handily responsible for sourcing over 60 individual prizes to be given away at that event as trophies for teams and individual players. The average value of the 60 items was close to $40 and Carol’s efforts ensured that the event was an outstanding success.” Steve said.

Emerging local artist John Helbig was also presented with an award for his unselfish donation of one of his etchings entitled “Harley at the Rock” which shows a Harley Davidson motorcycle approaching Ayers Rock (Uluru) which was the destination of the inaugural Ride.

“John is recognised as one of South Australia’s Living Artists and his work consists entirely of freehand sketches on plywood using a hot poker. “Harley at the Rock” fetched $800 at auction in the Smoky Bay Community Club during our overnight stop there last year, again ensuring the success of our Ride Steve concluded.

Planning for the 2009 Ride commencing on Wednesday 21 October 2009 at Spalding and taking in the Clare, Barossa and Murray Valleys wine areas, Wentworth, and Broken Hill before reaching the Black Rock Dirt Circuit Club as the final stop is well advanced.

Further particulars regarding the event can be obtained from Steve on 0439 501 or via steve.woolley@optusnet.com.au . Brian Brearley of the Barossa Valley Ulyssess Motor Cycle

Club can also supply details via email at

bbreals@bigpond.com .