ABOUT US

THE VIETNAM VETERANS MOTORCYCLE CLUB 

It is a matter of history that the United States and its allies conducted a war in Vietnam during the sixth and seventh decades of the twentieth century. Australia, one of the United States principal allies, was involved in this conflict from 1962 until 1972.

The aftermath of this war and the social upheavals it caused left a large number of veterans deeply traumatised and adrift in the society that they returned to.

All of these veterans experienced to a larger or lesser degree the bitterness and sometimes hatred of their peers who did not share their experiences in Vietnam.

Many were shunned and in turn shunned society and turned to the only people whom they could trust – their Brothers in Arms, other Vietnam Veterans.

So, in late 1989, an advertisement was placed in a Melbourne newspaper seeking those Vietnam Veterans who were also Motorcyclist who would be interested in starting a Motorcycle Club. There was a very strong response and so, in the Broadford Hotel, the Victorian Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club was born. During the same time other like-minded Vietnam Veterans across Australia were coming together and forming chapters.

Most had seen the film ‘Stone’ and found they could easily identify with the underlying theme of the film, Vietnam Veterans turning their backs on the society that had let them down. Finding a special freedom and joy of life in their own world, with their own rules and values. The Gravediggers showed the way and the Vietnam Veterans made it real.

Sandy Harbutt, the principal of the film, gave the Club its Colours, the Skull and Slouch hat, and the Vietnam Veterans gave the colours meaning.

Since its beginnings the Club has expanded in leaps and bounds. So much so that by the end of the 1990s the New South Wales Chapter had become so large that it became somewhat difficult to manage. Consequently the Federal Chapter, based in Canberra and the Northern NSW Chapter based around the northern rivers were formed.

In 2000 the Members living in and around the Sydney area decided to form a separate chapter which would better serve their needs, and so the Sydney Chapter of the VVMC was formed.

We are based in Menai although our Members range from the central coast to the south coast, as far west as Orange and as far south as Goulburn (the heartland of Penguin Farming in Australia). Our Members are mainly army veterans with a smattering of Navy and RAAF people. There are, of course, the gentlemen of the artillery represented and those of us who were naval gunners lend an air of distinction to the whole show!

Our Club as a whole enjoys the camaraderie of our mutual service and experience. We are well respected by the Biker community at large and we return that respect. We are also well regarded by the people wherever we go. We have carved our own niche in the world and, at last, we are becoming a little more comfortable in it.

The Road goes on forever and the party never ends!

Twelve times as many you did kill
As died when stationed on that hill
At Nui. Dat we did our job
Yet you, You scum our pride did rob

For politics you sold us out
You marched and screamed you bloody lout
You called for peace you hypocrite
So that in parliament you could sit

You cannot ride with us today
You haven't got the guts to pay
The price we paid was bloody high
But none of you will tell us why

We'll ride our bikes and find our mates
We'll open up the bloody gates
When you see us think of your shame
You cannot take from us our name

Vietnam Veterans one and all
We stand and ride so bloody tall
HONOUR, COURAGE and our PRIDE
That's what we take when out we ride.

-- Bandit September 1991 RAE --

© Copyright 2004 Vietnam Veterans MC - Queensland Chapter Inc. All Rights Reserved

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