LIFE MEMBERS

HAROLD ‘JOE’ DODDRIDGE, 1969

KEVIN ROHRLACH, 1969

Kevin Rohrlach (1928 – 1998) was an Angaston icon, and from an early age decided that he was going to be a success in life. He succeeded in the construction business and he succeeded in his love of motorcycling as well. From ‘drag racing’ on the ‘Marabel ¼ mile’, to scrambles, to stunt riding (Kev Rohrlach Trick Rider was a feature at many country shows) and his crowning glory – setting 27 land speed records on Lake Eyre in the early 60’s, a place where he had been the first person to reach by motorcycle some years earlier. A Founding member of the KMCC, Kev was left a quadraplegic after a car accident in 1996 and passed away from respiratory failure on Boxing Day 1998. Kev’s life is in print; What Next Already?. The life and Times of Kevin Rohrlach.

GEOFF WARNEST, 1977

(1942 - 2003) Arguably, the man who has done more for the Keyneton MCC than any other member. ‘Woof’ joined in 1961 and over 20 years later was still on the Executive Committee helping run the Club. A total of 18 years on the Executive, including 10 as President has not been surpassed, but it was in the mid 60’s that Geoff came to the fore. The mid ‘60’s saw the Club in serious decline, the original members stepping down and with few new members and fewer dollars in the bank     (-/7/3pence, about 73cents), a meeting was held to discuss closing the Club. With Geoff at the front he led a dedicated small band of members to pull the Club along, within 5 years the club boasted its first Clubrooms and was running high quality events. Geoff was also an active racer, trying his hand at scrambles (motocross), Observed and Road Trials, Speedway and Road Racing. ‘Woof’ was the 1^st ‘2^nd generation’ Life member and helped form a chapter of the Ulyssis MCC in the Barossa and lived up to their motto of growing old disgracefully until he succumbed to cancer in 2003.

IAN ZANDER, 1979

Ian joined in the dark days of the 60’s and helped lead the Club toward the success it is today, and is the member responsible for the Club first gaining the Wilton Hall as a clubrooms in 1975 and then purchasing the building in 1980, making the KMCC one of few clubs to own their own clubrooms. Ian acted as liaison between the former owners and the KMCC to take over the building. Ian has also given his land for use for running events, has spent many years on the Executive, including 4 years as President and was a long time delegate to the ACU of SA (now Motorcycling SA). Ian was the first Club member to reach A grade status in Observed Trials and competed at many Australian Titles, a 3^rd in the sidecars in 1984 his highest placing and he won the 24 Hour Trial in 1970. A KMCC legend is Ian’s shearing shed, and ‘Zander’s Zoom’ (port) which has kept many members warm after a cold Sunday Trial.

LAURENCE WILLIAMS, 1981

‘Willie’ was one of the true characters in the Club, and one of its hardest workers. Whether an event or a social function or a work bee Willie was always there for the Club. The Club’s Social Secretary through the 70’s it was him, and his crew of helpers, who raised money through social functions for the Club to buy the clubrooms. Willie became a legend though, at least to the kids who grew up in the Club in the 70’s, as half of the ‘Whack & Willie’ sidecar team. Geoff Barratt and Laurie were 2 larger than life characters who became one of the most successful outfit teams the Club has produced, both in Observed Trials and Road Trials. They won the 24 Hour Trial in 1971, but ’78 was a fine swan song for the team. Reuniting after a few years off the duo bought home their outfit in 2^nd place in a wet event where only 34 of 152 made it with Willie flying the Club flag as they crossed the finish line.

JOHN RICHARDSON, 1981

John, or ‘JR’ is one of the hardest working and most dedicated workers and administrators in the Club’s history and in SA motorcycling. JR joined at the start of 1970 and in 1971 became the first, and to date only KMCC member to run for and be elected to the ACU of SA (now MSA) executive. He was ACU secretary for 5 ½ years and played a big part in the establishment of ACUSA Park. In all John spent 17 years on the ACU/MASA/MSA executive. In the Club he was President for 2 years and has always been on hand to help the Club run events. Since 1988 he has been on the 24 Hour Trial Committee and has chaired the Committee since 1996. 1995 saw John’s finest hour when he was nominated for and awarded the Frank Franklin Trophy for exceptional services to motorcycle sport.

TREVOR DIENER, 1982

Trevor Diener formed part of the core of the mid 60’s that helped keep the Club going, and helped sow the seeds of KMCC folklore when he convinced his Dad that their property would be ideal for running events on. 40 years later Diener’s Creek is not only part of KMCC history but also 24 Hour Trial history as well. Trevor was very much a behind the scenes worker for the Club, but being a builder by trade he has spent many hours of his time on renovations around the Clubrooms, with the new kitchen, toilets and Life Members room all part of his legacy. Trevor also helped with the running of numerous events for the Club, especially the 1990 & 94 Australian Observed Trials Titles. His successes on a bike (refer to the champions section) never affected his natural self and Trevor was always there to help younger and up and coming riders with advice and ideas.

MAX LEE, 1982

Joining the Club in the late ‘60’s Max was an active member for over 20 years. Max held the position of Club Captain for 2 years and was a constant at work bees and event planning and running. He also spent time as part of ‘Willie’s’ social team and played a hand in the Club’s Vintage Festival floats. The highly rated Club scrambles at Menglers Hill in the 70’s also had Max’s touch and he, along with Geoff Warnest and Bob Petts bought and wore the first KMCC jumpers. A handy solo rider Max had success at scrambles, road trials and observed trials. The quietest of the Life Members Max was never one to be at the forefront and worked quietly in the background for the good of the Club.

PHILLIP HOLMES, 1983

Phillip joined in the early 70’s and spent 5 – 6 years competing and working behind the scenes, but after this time he put his hand up and spent 10 years on the executive, as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Minutes Secretary, and for many years was a strong voice in the Club. Phillip also was a major worker on the renovations done to the clubrooms over many years as well as the Aussie Observed Trials titles run by the Club. Phil’s wife Jean became the first woman to sit on the Club executive in 1982, with her and their children a constant force at Club events, especially in the scoring tent at observed trials. In 1988 he branched away from the ‘competition club’ side of the sport and joined the Veteran & Vintage Club and has become an avid collector. (For more on Phillip refer to the champions section)

ROGER HOLMES, 1986

Phillip’s younger brother joined a year after his brother and in 4 short years became the Club’s first Australian Champion, winning the Australian Observed Trials Sidecar Championship with Phillip in the chair. (refer to the champions section) Roger’s interest in bikes came from watching down the road neighbour Jim Warnest racing past testing his road race Nortons, often in thongs and shorts. Roger thought this is the sport for me! Roger was another of the quiet behind the scenes workers for the Club, spending many weekends marking out trials, manning controls or holding positions at the Club scrambles. Recently Roger has dragged the old ‘Bully outfit’ out of the shed to have a few rides with son, Ian, still showing the style that made him a Champion.

DENNIS WEICHERT, 1986

One of the Club’s, and the sports true gentlemen, Dennis joined the Club in the mid 60’s and was one of the core group who kept the Club running when things looked bleak. Living in Bethel Dennis had quite a ride to meetings, but maybe that ‘practice’ held him in good stead as the roads he would have traveled would have been ideal. Dennis also opened up his land to the Club to run events, as well as the 24 Hour Trial. Weichert’s Paddock was the 1^st off road section in the ‘24’ and has long been part of ‘24’ folklore. When Dennis retired from competition in 1989 (refer to the champions section), after 30 years in the saddle, he accepted the invitation to be the 24 Hour Trial’s official starter, a position he still holds. In 1990 he donated a trophy to the Club and the Dennis Weichert Trophy was born for the most promising novice in the KMCC.

KEN WARNEST, 1989

The elder, and quietest of the Warnest boys, Ken joined in 1961 and during the bleak days of the mid 60’s he was cousin Geoff’s right hand man in keeping the Club going. A year as President told him that the top job wasn’t for him, handing the reins to Woof and Ken went on to be the Club’s longest serving Secretary /Treasurer through the Club’s toughest years. ‘Artie’ spent many hours setting up and running events for the Club. Working for the Leader Newspaper Ken designed and printed off the Club’s 1^st letterhead, the desk in the clubrooms is his old kitchen table and the piston gavel is also his handy work. Ken was also a handy rider, passenger and tuner. He won the 1^st recorded KMCC road trial in 1961, placed 3^rd in the 1964 Australian 125cc road race Grand Prix, placed in many SA Grand Prix and Tourist Trophy races and tuned the motors on all of his brothers road race and trials bikes to great success.

CHRIS HOLMES, 1991

The youngest, and the larrikin of the Holmes clan, Chris was the first member to compete successfully on the national enduro stage (refer to the champions section). Chris was a tireless worker in the Club holding many positions on the executive, but it was in the area of club events that Chris spent a lot of time in the early 80’s, organizing, running and giving a lot of assistance to new members. Chris showed great loyalty to the Club when a move to Mildura in the mid ‘80’s saw him continue to be a member and ride for the Club, until MA changed the law to holding a licence in the state you reside in. Even from interstate Chris keeps up with the Club and has traveled down from Mildura on many occasions for functions.

ANTHONY ‘FRED’ WECKERT, 1991

One of the nice guys of the Club and the sport, Fred has never hesitated to help out a Club Member, or even a member of another Club, with any problem they may be having with their bike, especially if it is a sidecar. Fred’s abilities as an engineer has helped many members over many years and a lot of sidecar teams have ridden, or are riding Fred Weckert built outfits. With Leigh Hollamby, Fred was at the fore of changing road trials sidecars from sit down touring types to stand up motocross types, usually bolted to 500 or 600cc 4 stroke singles. When Fred was awarded Life Membership the only surprised person was Fred himself and while most of Fred’s work in the Club has been behind the scenes it has been invaluable, especially to the younger members who have turned to him for advice and have not been turned away.         (Fred is also featured in the champions section).

COLIN ‘TED’ REDWAY, 1991

Ted joined the Club in the early ‘80s and is another who has left an indelible mark on the KMCC, when in 1985 he took over the Presidency and led the ‘third generation’ of the Club towards an exciting new era. With his progressive thinking and open mind, and a good team with him, the Club looked at renovating the back room of the clubrooms, brought the timing of events up to modern standards with instant results and generally brought the Club up to the next level of running a sporting organization professionally. On a bike Ted was no slouch either, leading the ‘24’ one year until mechanical woes ended his night, but he teamed up with Ian Scholz in ’85 to finish 2^nd outright in the outfits. Ted also teamed with Robin Schick to win the SA ‘B’ Grade Observed Trial Sidecar Title.

STEVE BROOK, 1993

Steve joined the Club in the late 70’s and was active from day 1, both as an organizer of Club events and as a competitor. Steve has tried many facets of the sport and may be the only KMCC member to have finished the 24 Hour Trial as a solo rider, sidecar rider and a sidecar passenger, a rare feat in the events long history. Steve has also swung for Chris Holmes in Observed Trials sidecars with a 4^th at the Aussie Titles and a SA ‘B’ Grade Title to their names. Off the bike Steve spent 6 years as President and it was during his first term as President that the Club bid for and hosted the 1990 Aussie Observed Trials Titles. Steve was also prominent in the running of the ’94 Titles and it was the success of these events that led to the Life Member’s Room being built.

CRAIG SAEGENSCHNITTER, 1993

 Saegy has been a member of the Club for half it’s existence, and perhaps only Geoff Warnest has done more for the KMCC than Craig. A tireless worker for the Club, whether it be social nights, work bees, club events, organizing and running open events or standing around a bonfire telling everyone how good you rode, Saegy was your man for the job. Oh, and he was pretty fair on a bike as well, solo or sidecar, riding or swinging. A 24 Hour Trial winning passenger in 1985 is the highlight of a career spanning road trials, motocross, observed trials, enduros and the odd hill climb. The list of achievements to long to list. President for 3 years in the 90’s, he held most positions on the executive and played a major part in the Club’s running of the Aussie Observed Trials Titles in ‘90 & ’94. Always with time for the junior members of the Club Craig is now a larger than life character in the Club, and has been the heart and soul of the KMCC for many years.

ROSS EVANS, 1995

Ross was a founding member of the Club back in 1950, his interest coming from the fact he worked at Joe Doddridge’s workshop at Keyneton which had a BSA dealership. Ross may well have been the first member to own a sidecar when he built one himself in 1950. With his wife, Shirley working at the Leader Newspaper he was a natural to be the Club’s Publicity Officer, a position he held for many years. Ross was the prime mover in the Club for the Club to have floats in the bi-annual Barossa Vintage Festival. The 1^st was in 1951 when he and other members bolted 2 bikes together and made a frame for a banner. The banner was made by Ross’ sister and still survives today, 51 years later, hanging in the Club. Ross also dressed a trials bike as a chariot and was a gladiator in one procession. A very successful sidecar rider saw Ross finish 2^nd and 3^rd in the ‘24’ and won a number of 6 Hours.

SHANE KRAFT, 1999

A member since 1981 when he was 14 Shane has been active since 1988 when he started to compete in road trials. He has ridden almost every year since with wins in the 1989 Levis 6 Hour and the ’93 Clare 6 Hour highlights, along with 5 top 10 finishes in the ‘24’. Shane also has 2 finishes in the Finke Desert Race to his credit. A big highlight for Shane was in ’99 when he rode a season on a 20 year old TT500 Yamaha, finishing every event, which included a fine 9^th in the ‘24’. Off the bike Shane has made a name as an event organizer of the highest standard, his Mike Connors 6 Hour winning the best event of the year award. After 7 years of running events he stepped into the Presidents chair in ’97, holding it for 4 years before stepping down. It was in this time that he oversaw the 50^th anniversary celebrations, an event he was most proud to do.

SHANE PARKS, 2001

Shane joined the Club in the early ‘80’s and spent most of the ‘80’s dividing his time between football and bikes, but when he retired from footy he became a very active member in the Club. Parksy has had stints as Social Secretary, Club Captain, Vice President and in 2001 took over the Presidency from Shane Kraft. With the work he has done for the Club he became, in 2000 the 1^st member to win the Clubperson of the year for the 2^nd time after a win in 1998. Shane was also a driving force in the Club’s running of the Aussie Observed Titles in 1990, ’94, and 2002, as well as the clubroom renovations and the 50^th anniversary celebrations. A capable solo rider in road trials where DNF’s are rare Shane has had most success as a passenger, especially for long time friend and fellow Life Member Steve Brook.

CHRIS CAUST, 2002

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KEVIN STEINERT, 2002

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 GEOFF (WACK) BARRATT, 2004

Wack’ was one of the true characters in the Club, and one of its hardest workers. Joining the Club in the late 1960’s he was President of the Club for 2 terms as well as Competition Secretary and Club Captain and was one of the main players in the Club securing Mitchell’s land on which the great scramble track of the 1970’s and ‘80’s was built. Wack became a legend though, at least to the kids who grew up in the Club in the 70’s, as half of the ‘Wack & Willie’ sidecar team. Geoff and Laurie Williams were 2 larger than life characters who became one of the most successful outfit teams the Club has produced, both in Observed Trials and Road Trials. They were SA Champions and Australian Championship runners up in observed trials and won the 24 Hour Trial in 1971, but ’78 was a fine swan song for the team. Reuniting after a few years off the duo bought home their outfit in 2^nd place in a wet event where only 34 of 152 made it with Willie flying the Club flag as they crossed the finish line.

 BOB PETTS, 2007

Bob joined the Club in 1963 and started competing in reliability and observed trials. With Brenton Diener, they were the first members to win the 24 Hour Trial on a sidecar in 1964. His best finish on a solo was 4^th outright. In January 1964 he took over the Secretary/Treasurers positions from Joe Doddridge, holding them through 1964/65 as well. He was also Competition Secretary, Social Secretary and Club Captain. With Geoff Warnest and Max Lee, he bought the Club’s first jumpers and gave the Club its colours and was the instigator and original organiser of the Mountain Man Moto Trial. Prior to the 1965 AGM there had been a lot of talk about the club folding due to lack of members and funds (73 cents in the bank). It was minuted that at the 1965 AGM it was to be decided if the Club had a future. A vote was taken among the 9 members present with Bob having the deciding vote – he voted the club kept going. More than one person at that meeting has confirmed that Bob did have the deciding vote on the club’s future.

BEN ZANDER, 2007

Ben joined the club in 1985 and started competing in Observed Trials the following year at Victor Harbour on his 12^th birthday.  He went on to competing at National level as a Junior and in ’90 competed as a C grader, then as a B grader in ’91-92 before moving into A grade in ’93-96.  In ’99 he turned his riding to sidecars as a B grade rider and then to A grade the following year until present.  Ben has competed at 15 Australian Titles with his best results being 6 times in the top 3 placing's in Australia while competing on a sidecar, and has 3 state titles (2 solo and 1 sidecar) to his name.  Ben has assisted at, to running 5 Australian Titles in South Australia, 4 of which have been run by the KMCC. He has maintained a high standard and only aimed high each year with great success and help from other club members.  Ben has been involved with organizing Trials in the club since about ’94 and the main organizer since 1999. He has held an officials license since about ’94 and hasn’t hesitated in fulfilling any roll that is required when he hasn’t been competing himself. Ben was the main instigator for reintroducing the 2Day Moto Trial in 2001 which has now become the stand alone State Title round each year for which the KMCC have been holding since 2004 on alternate years.

His roles cover positions such as Clerk of Course at a number of Reliability Trials and Enduros, and a countless number of cub days and Observed Trials. He has been on the Moto Trials Sub-committee in sum way since 1990 and still is. He has also given a lot of his time to the 24hr Trial Committee for many years, especially the last 4-5 years.  Ben's Official capacity has taken him to a National level with him being on the Moto Trials Commission for the past 2 years.  If a Club working bee was organised then Ben would be there, as the evidence around the Club rooms shows from cutting back the pines, to putting in the back wall and even keeping the weeds down, Ben has played a part.  Ben is the first 2^nd generation member to receive Life Membership.

MAX GRAETZ, 2009

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ANDREW WARNEST, 2010

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