From a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia: Motorcycling Australia has formed a new group, the Museum & Heritage Committee, which will have responsibilities for the preservation and appreciation of our motorcycling history. This is in line with similar moves internationally, particularly at the AMA in the USA. In the past three years, MA has acquired by either purchase or loan, around a dozen bikes, all with particular significance to Australia. The first acquisition, the ex-Mike Hailwood Ducati 750SS, has been displayed and demonstrated at a number of events, and is in great demand for functions and major historic races. The machine is a tactile demonstration of MA’s commitment to its heritage, and in the future, other bikes in the collection will be able to serve similar purposes. In time, it is anticipated that the collection will be housed in a venue with full public access, however at present clubs and other groups can apply to MA to inspect the collection and hold meetings at MA’s South Melbourne premises. As well as motorcycles, the new committee will continue the process of collecting important material such as photographs, race programmes, posters, magazines and newspapers all of which play a role in the documentation of our history. Already, several major photographic collections have been acquired, each one representing a particular era. The Museum & Heritage committee is comprised of journalist Jim Scaysbrook (chairman), former sidecar champion Lindsay Urquhart, off-road expert Peter Drakeford, and Cairns motorcycle collector and enthusiast Ian Hopkins. “The formation of the (M & H) committee is really just the official ratification of a process than began a few years ago, said MA CEO David White. “However with the formation of this group we have a strong brains trust with expertise in many areas to help us with several future projects that are already in the pipeline.” One such project will be a ‘signature’ annual event, which will be a celebration of Australia’s motorcycling history over a single weekend, where racing machinery will be able to be demonstrated (not raced) across a wide range of sporting disciplines, combined with club rallies, a swap meet and a chance to meet and hear former riders from various eras. “This is not unlike what the AMA has done with its Vintage Days, notably the annual event at Mid Ohio,” said White. “This (Ohio) has grown into an enormous event, which not only provides a very enjoyable few days for everyone concerned, but gives the AMA a financial boost that ultimately goes back into the heritage process.” This event is now in the early planning stage and full details will be announced early in 2008.