Tag: DGRWollongong

New Record for Wollongong’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

Four Cure Team at DGR Wollongong 2022
DGR Wollongong’s Four Cure Team. Image by Biz Sites

On Sunday May 22nd, local motorcyclists rode in the name of men’s health and raised a bumper $164,032 – impressively smashing the city’s previous record of $155,225.

In 2022, the world-wide event held in more than 100 countries amassed over $5.8M USD for charity partner, Movember. The local ride, hosted by Jane and Tim from City Coast Motorcycles, has become a fixture on the calendar of classic and vintage motorcycling enthusiasts.

For two years running, the South Coast city has placed in the the global ten. Efforts by Wollongong participants has not gone unnoticed, with some special guests joining them this year. A 225 strong crowd greeted DGR Founder Mark Hawwa with applause and plenty of selfies ahead of Wollongong’s scenic route. Mark responded:

“I want to say a massive thanks for everyone that’s here today. This is one of our first rides out of COVID. I know that we did have a ride last year, but globally most of the world had still been shut down. It has been incredible to see everyone connect with the concept – everyone dressed up so fine. There’s so many guys and girls here as well and it is really special to our team to have you guys here and to be here,” Mark said.

DGR Wollongong 2022
L to R: Movember Country Director Rachel Carr, DGR Founder Mark Hawwa, Ride Hosts Jane & Timothy Sim from City Coast Motorcycles. Image by Keogh’s Vision Photography

Since 2018, DGR Wollongong has featured one of the world’s most successful teams – Four Cure – of which Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli placed second and third individually in 2021 and received new Triumph Motorcycles as prizes.

In 2022, the local ride has had three fundraisers feature in the global top 20 as well as five in Australia’s top 20; namely Phill Critcher (1st), Ermond Morelli (2nd), John Volcanovski (4th), Ray Tubman (7th) and David Critcher (19th). Wollongong’s Madylan Hannah also ranked as the world’s 6th highest pillion fundraiser.

Movember Country Director Rachel Carr was excited to experience the magic of Wollongong for the first time after two years of social distancing, restrictions and isolation:

“I think more than ever we all truly value the power of connection and community and that really is what Movember and DGR is all about and why this is so special.

“This small coastal town, this amazing event in Wollongong continues to blow our socks off every single year. You are always right up there with one of the highest fundraising events, globally – it’s just incredible!”

Madylan from Wollongong - pillion fundraiser 2022
Embraced by proud family and DGR Founder Mark Hawwa, Wollongong’s Madylan Hannah is one of the world’s highest pillion fundraisers for 2022. Image by Keogh’s Vision Photography

Rachel continued:

“The money that we raise this year is going to go towards directly funding projects that will help improve social connectiveness, life satisfaction, mental health and wellbeing for motorcycle riders, and that is just so special to me.

“I feel really proud that we have been able to cultivate something that will directly support members of your community – people that you would hopefully know over the years and I really look forward to celebrating the impact of that work with you,” enthused Rachel.

DGR Wollongong 2022
Ride Hosts Tim and Jane Sim lead #DGRWollongong 2022 on their Triumph Scrambler 1200 Steve McQueen Ltd Ed. Image by Keogh’s Vision Photography

Ride Host Jane Sim reflects on the success of Wollongong’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride:

“Every year, Tim and I are determined to create a special experience and we’re heartened by the support of the motorcycling community. We’ve seen families ride together, hope built and life-long mateships made. Above all, it is a great feeling to unite for such an important cause and help make a difference.

“This is a team effort. When Tim and I put the call out local riders, businesses and media care enough to get behind the event. We’d like to extend our gratitude to all volunteers, the Illawarra Mercury, ABC Illawarra, Wollongong City Council, Lake Illawarra Area Command and the generosity of our sponsors,” said Jane.

Thanks to:
Triumph Motorcycles Australia
Darcy & Emma at Biz Sites
Australian Motorlife Museum 
Andrew & Julieanne at Dapto Self Storage
 
Chi, Vinh & Lee at Clutch Moto
David Sirc & The Star Sydney
John & Belinda at Keogh’s Vision Photography
Tesh and Jess at Dapper Man London
Club Windang
Connor Pearce & Sylvia Liber at Illawarra Mercury
Mark Matthews & Natasha Hopman at ABC Illawarra
Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM & Wollongong City Council