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Techmoto: Sponsor of Monthly Meat Raffles
Discounts for Ulysses and SuperGold card holders, located in the iconic former industrial area now converted to shops and plenty of bars, cafes and above all, good coffee!
Phil and Gail Scott's Techmoto store caters for road and adventure riders with high quality helmets and apparel from Arai, Nolan and Spidi. There is a huge range of Givi and Ventura luggage, plus motorcycle-specific tools as well as spares and accessories.
Open weekdays 9.30-5.30 and 9.00-4.00 on Saturday Phone 09 4461610
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Perspective: Everything looks better from the inside of a helmet.
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Raffles
If it is your birthday this month, don't forget to take a bottle of wine for the raffles on club night.
If you have any unwanted gifts, donate them for the raffle prizes.
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Subscriber Details
At the bottom of this newsletter is a link so you can update your subscriber details. There is also a button if you really want to cancel your subscription.
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Wine Bottle Caps
Save your bottle tops from your wine bottles and bring along to each monthly meeting. These get passed onto Lions Club who collect as a fundraiser for Child Dialysis. Get your local restaurant on board and have them keep the bottle tops for you.
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Odyssey Medals or Life Membership.
Please find attached the required form to accompany any nomination for Odyssey Medals or Life Membership. This form should also be accompanied by a recent photograph.
You are welcome to provide any other information in support of your application.
For 2015 we have a full limit of life membership so there will not be any nominations accepted for Life Membership for 2015.
Please note:
* Nominations for an Odyssey Medal are in recognition of meritorious Service to the Club particularly at Branch level.
* Nominees must be a member who has been a continuous financial member for at least ten years
* Nominations are restricted to one per Branch per year.
* All nominations for Odyssey Medals should be signed by the Branch Coordinator and forwarded to:
National Secretary,
The Ulysses Club of NZ Inc.
P O Box 40218
Upper Hutt 5140
* The closing date for nominations for the 2015 Odyssey Medal Award is Sunday 11th January 2015.
* Awards are restricted to a maximum of four per annum.
If you have any queries regarding this process please let me know.
Thanks everyone,
Cheers
Nicky.
Nicky Bright # 7125
National Secretary
The Ulysses Club of NZ Inc.
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Ulysses National Raffle Ticket Sales.
Attached is a draft of the Ulysses raffle that members are asked to sell with all proceeds going to Ulysses Club Rider Safety Training Programme. Tickets are now available, limited to 2300 tickets only.
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Reviews and Photo Gallery
Thanks to contributions from:
Barbara Hampe
Sharir Ariff
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Coromandel Overnight
by Barbara Hampe
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Coromandel Overnighter organized by and RIC Nigel Scott 6/7 Dec 2014
On an overcast and sometimes drizzly Saturday morning we gathered at the Papakura Motorway Services, some having a hearty breakfast, others a caffeine fix.
A good turnout for a weekend away.
Nigel gathered us for the ride’s briefing and we got ready to take off.
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Thanks to the eagle eyed Ulyssian Neville Dodds, who spotted our rear tyre low in pressure. As it turns out we had picked up a nail on the way to our assembly point. So the group set off whilst we made our way to the Drury Performance Centre, which is only a few km away. They were open and able to fix our puncture promptly and professionally so we were back on the road in no time at all.
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Morning tea at the Tastebud Café opposite Thames airfield.
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Once on the coast, the roads became very scenic, blue sea on the left, the sky clearing to sunshine and the Pohutukawa putting up a show with their abundant crimson flowers.
Unfortunately at one point we came up behind 3 people movers, which were in convoy and travelling at about 45kmh, oblivious to the huge tailback forming behind them. Eventually they pulled over, enabling us to resume our touring pace and cooling down in the breeze.
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Our motel, the Abby Court Motel, was conveniently located in walking distance to Coromandel township and well off the road with ample parking available.
Once we had changed from bike gear to shorts we found out that we had arrived just in time for the Santa Parade.
As we’d arrived early in the afternoon we took the opportunity to explore the roads to Colville as we hadn’t seen it before.
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Again the road hugged the coast and we were treated to magnificent scenery and a few km of new tar seal and chip. This time we only saw a handful of cars on a round trip of 50km. Later in the afternoon we gathered for refreshments and nibbles before dinner, soaking up the sun. 2 cars joined us; Wayne and Dale Painter, and Donna and friend.
Coromandel offered a good selection of dinner options and we spent an enjoyable evening at the Star &Garter Hotel bar, which is biker friendly and has an excellent range of beers on tap at reasonable prices.
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A BBQ breakfast in the motel saw us off to different directions, some having to head home straight away. A few of us decided to do the full Coromandel loop leaving in groups of ones and twos. We followed Peter Hyde on his Harley over the hills, and as we had an early morning departure and all tourists were still tucked up in bed, the roads were ours to ride. We were bombarded with the characteristic Harley exhaust notes reverberating off the cliff walls as we made our way to Whitianga, where Peter stopped. We carried on to stop at one of our favourite cafes, Manaia in Tairua. We were soon joined by Neville and Ann, who also wanted to stretch their legs over a cup of coffee before heading home.
The weekend getaway was a great success, a big thank you to Nigel for organizing and leading the ride.
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
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A Jolly Good Weekend
Shahrir Ariff #8084
MotoGP 2014 is long over but the memory of Sepang lingers on. Specifically, the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2014 at Sepang International Circuit (SIC), that is.
Not just the big race on 26 Oct 14, but the whole works: buying the GP passes, finding accommodation, meeting fellow enthusiasts, planning day trips to Seremban and Kuala Lumpur.
The journey started early in February. My good wife decided she wanted to visit family in Singapore from 21st Oct to 19th Nov.
Ya, sure, ok. Gotta check what’s available at budget airline Jetstar. Usually they offer a business class special over that period. Bingo! They did indeed. Only $1,500 return; that’s less than the cost of an economy seat with Singapore Airlines.
But wait! The Malaysian leg of MotoGP 2014 was scheduled for 24th Oct 14 - 26th Oct 14. I could perhaps spend a few days there.
The first thing I did was to check on the SIC website. Nah, tickets not available yet. It’s way too early.
Then I checked the Concorde Inn KLIA website, where I stayed when I attended the 2009 MotoGP. Horrors! Not a single room left. It’s not even March yet. Sigh. Too early for tickets but too late for good accommodation.
Not to be discouraged, I checked with online booking agents. That’s how I learned about Bandar Enstek and the EV World chain of budget hotels.
Bandar Enstek township itself is almost brand new. It’s actually in Negri Sembilan, the neighbouring state of Selangor where Malaysia’s capital – Kuala Lumpur (KL) – is. But it’s much closer to Sepang International Circuit and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
[13 states make up Malaysia; 11 of them in Peninsula Malaysia and the other 2 – Sabah and Sarawak – in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo].
I thought I’d be better off staying there if I wanted a no-fuss hotel for MotoGP. (Or, for F1 and other SIC events, or even to catch a late flight, for that matter).
Anyway, I paid NZD46 a-night via www.agoda.com for a smallish double-room at EV World Enstek @ KLIA. That included free wi-fi, free breakfast, and free shuttle to the circuit. You get great service too.
There’s only one other hotel there. I hear Sri Enstek is just as good. Both offer a minimal charge for airport-hotel transfer, much cheaper than taking a regular taxi.
[Note that there are a few other budget and good hotels near KLIA, KLIA2 (for budget airlines) and SIC, but only two at Bandar Enstek. An Australian family who also stayed at Enstek moved to a KL hotel the day after MotoGP. Good thinking. KL is a very happening city. Plenty of things to do there.]
Well, that’s the accommodation sorted. But getting a Paddock Village (PV) pass was another mission.
I found out the tickets were finally on sale early July. When I checked the SIC website a-week later, all the PV passes were gone. Sold out, they told me, and suggested that I could buy the Club Suite (CS) passes instead.
That would have been a good compromise actually, but I found out that SIC’s agents for Australia and NZ had a spare PV pass because someone had withdrawn. Lucky me. Needless to say I contacted Andrew Forward of Global Motorsports at Hastings to buy it off him.
Why PV or CS passes? Choice location, free flowing food and beverages and more importantly, aircon! Yup, Sepang can be very warm and humid. You also get to check out the paddocks with a PV pass.
Granted the best places to be are around the corners, in the open. No problem, you’ll have access to those places too. The races can be hot and mind-blowing when you’re out there, literally, but you can always take cover at the corporate room after that. And stuff yourself silly, meanwhile.
I flew in from Singapore on Friday 24th Oct 14. As it was just a practice day, I chose to forego the circuit, and asked the hotel to organize a half-day tour to Seremban, the capital of Negri Sembilan. They happily obliged.
Seremban is really small. The only place tourists ever visit is its museum. Luckily, there’s a chocolate shop run by the Malaysian Cocoa Board in the vicinity as well. And they make top quality handmade chocs too.
Saturday 25th Oct 14 was qualifying day at MotoGP. There was plenty to see and do at the venue: apparel and accessories for sale, stunt shows, etc.
And the crowd, well, what can I say. An SIC official told me: yes, crowded today but will be even more so tomorrow. They were expecting more than 120,000 spectators on Sunday.
And there they were on raceday, 26th Oct 14. A very well-behaved lot, I must say. The must all be serious bikers. Even the VIP rooms were filled with recreational bikers, not just corporate hangers-on enjoying free perks from sponsor companies.
I met a Kiwi couple from New Plymouth at the SIC Paddock Village that day. Dennis and Dorothy braved the sun and humidity to get close to where the action was during the races, and enjoyed the cool room during breaks. Clever!
I was quite happy to stay put at the room, thank you, and only occasionally made my way outside. I know, I’m such a woos.
The paddock walk was a highlight for me. Interesting to see how casual the people at the paddock were with us straining our necks to catch a glimpse of, well, everything.
Local sensation Hafizh Syarin was seen happily signing autographs, but his umbrella girl seemed unfairly neglected (photo 4). Many would remember how he lead the Moto2 field as an 18-year old wild card in 2012 before mechanical fault relegated him to fourth place. That was in heavy rain. Guess Hafizh’s not known as Pescao or “Little Fish” for nothing.
Ever seen no: 93 naked? The bike, not the man. (photo 2).
Motor racing can be a family and friends affair in Malaysia. Wonder who’s that guy… (photo 3).
Yeah, this pin goes…there. (photo 1).
The races were as good as you see them on TV, plus you get your ears torn off from the unreal sound they make, and the smell and sight of hot machines. Just magic, eh.
There were funny moments too. Wonder if those Ducati enthusiasts were aware that the banner on their fence was saying something like: Go Pedrosa (photo 5).
Still, one can tell that we were still buzzing at the end of the day. (photo 6). It ended all too soon. My two Malaysian mates – Mahari and Kamaruddin – both policemen from Terengganu state (think distance from Auckland to Napier) had a short coffee break back at the hotel before riding home. ETA 3a.m. Frenchman Jean-Marc, who lives in Surat Thani, Thailand, and I stayed on at Enstek for another day.
I spent the free Monday at Kuala Lumpur. It took just 30 mins from KLIA to the city by KLIA Ekspres. I’d recommend taking the hop-on hop-off bus service if you have only a few hours to spare and want to see as many interesting spots as possible. I did. It’s not perfect, but for MYR45 or NZD17 (24-hour ticket), it won’t break the bank either.
A lovely long weekend indeed!
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Raffle Prizes and Tattle-Tales Wanted
“Sheriff wants unwanted gifts and wine for birthdays and worthy events in your LIVES “
And please email ‘SHERIFF, I HAVE A TALE’ to Pete.
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Taking a Motorcycle Trip to America
State-by-state motorcycle laws
Taking a trip? Unsure about the laws in your home state? Search the AMA database of on and off-road ...
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We'll be friends until we are old and senile. Then we'll be new friends.
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Who is This?
Last month was John Heebink.
This photo was taken in 1967.
I'll give you the answer next month.
Please send me your photos. You will enjoy digging through all those memories.
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Brent donates vouchers monthly for the Social evenings. Pop in to Spectrum and chat to Grant for bike services, bike sales and accessories.
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Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you
can't have your kayak and heat it too.
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Need that badge sewn on, then call in on Merine.
Please note change of address
Unit 10/12 Inverness Road, Browns Bay.
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What hair colour do they put on the drivers license of bald men!!!
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Rider in Charge (RIC) would appreciate all participants of rides to be at the departure point 10 minutes early with a full tank of gas. If the weather looks suspect then please phone the RIC to see if the ride is postponed or cancelled.
The Rider in Charge will be organizing the day. Contact them for details. All riders participating in a Ulysses Ride are expected to hold a current motorcycle license, wear suitable clothing and to have a registered and warranted road-worthy bike.
The organizers and/or the Ulysses Club are not responsible for participants safety and all participants participate at their own risk.
All participants are aware that they are traveling on open public roads and are responsible for their own safety and compliance with all Rules and Laws.
Please check your runs list as some rides or destinations may have changed from initial calendar entry.
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Club Night Meeting and Social Evening
Held at North Shore Cosmopolitan Club,
65 Paul Mathews Drive, Albany
1st Thursday of the Month.
Meals available from 5.30pm and meeting starts at 7.30pm
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NORTH SHORE DINNER NIGHT MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN Link Drive Wairau Park
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month 2014 (6 pm onwards), Bar & kitchen open at 5.30 pm.
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Waihi Beach RSA Lunch Run
Departs Papakura Service Centre at 10.00am
RIC: Peter Hyde
Mobile: 021 997926
Medium
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Note change of date for this month only, due to Waitangi Weekend.
February 3rd. Tuesday. Don't forget it's the North Harbour Ulysses general meeting night at the North Shore Cosmopolitan Club. Meals available from 5.30pm. Reservations Here
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Waitangi Weekend
West Coast Beaches Run.
Departs North Shore Cossie Club at 10.00am
RIC: David McAnulty
Mobile: 0211844100
Home: 098109798
Short ride
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February 15th Sunday.
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Ride.
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February 18th. It's the 3rd Wednesday of the month so it's North Shore dinner night at Mad Dogs and Englishman, Link Drive. Reservations Here.
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Paeroa Battle of the Streets.
Departs North Shore Cossie Club at 9.30am
Meet and ride as a group or make your own way there.
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March 5th. It's the 1st Thursday of the month so don't forget it's the North Harbour Ulysses general meeting night at the North Shore Cosmopolitan Club. Meals available from 5.30pm. Reservations Here
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The Deck Cafe Cruise
Whangarei Heads
Departs Dairy Flat Service Centre at 10.00am
RIC: David McAnulty
Mobile: 021 1844100
Home: 09 8109798
Long
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TeAroha Loop Ride
Departs Papakura Service Centre
at 10.00am
RIC: Wayne Larsen
Mobile: 021 02828442
Home: 09 4768071
Long
Note Destination Change
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March 18th. It's the 3rd Wednesday of the month so it's North Shore dinner night at Mad Dogs and Englishman, Link Drive. Reservations Here.
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Mokau
for Whitebait Fritters
Departs Papakura Service Centre at 10.00am
RIC: Paul Morrison
Mobile: 021 909350
Home: 4203247
Extra Long
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WHANGAMOMONA TRIP
Leave PAPAKURA AUTOBAHN
9:30am Saturday 28th
Stay at the legendary Whanga Hotel. Enjoy a great ride, great company, the beers and buy the tee shirt.
$75 per person per night share twin or double B & B (continental breakfast).
NOTE: Reservations have been pencilled in with the hotel.
YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN PAYMENT TO THE HOTEL BEFORE MARCH 01 TO CONFIRM AND SECURE YOUR ROOM. After that its pot luck.
Direct credit A/C: 06 0405 0215683 01
Reference: NHU Your surname
For credit card payment call 06 7625823
See the link below for the hotel reservation policy, menus and other information.
http://www.whangamomonahotel.co.nz/
PLEASE email or TXT Peter Z when you have booked so we know the numbers attending.
We may be able to get a dinner deal if there are about 20 people but we need to know before the event. Email: Click here
Phone Mob: 021 1807840
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Dave's Midweek Wednesday Rides
RIC: Dave Moore
Mobile: 027 3225599
Home: 09 4451540
Are you free to ride Midweek?
Why not join Dave on Wednesday's
Departs NS Cossie Club at 11.00am
Destination decided on the day.
These rides are proving very popular.
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Highlight your calendar with these upcoming rides or events.
North Harbour Ulysses will be holding a weekend poker run, in May. More information coming soon...........
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Northern Odyssey
Click Here for Information & Registration Form for the inaugural Northern Odyssey to be run by Waikato Branch over summer,
commencing on Boxing Day.
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Okataina Rally 19-21 June 2015.
Due to the imminent closure of Okataina Camp this will be the last ever Okataina Rally.
Click here for registration form.
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Members stuff For Sale.
R80 for sale.
1990 BMW R80 - $4000.
Contact Beau direct on 021 101 4131.
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Why? Why? Why?
Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?
If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
EVER WONDER...
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Why is it called lipstick when you can still move your lips?
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A man working in a sawmill accidentally cuts off all his fingers. He rushes off to the emergency department at the hospital, and the doctor says, "Give me your fingers and I'll see what I can do." The man replies, "I haven't got the fingers." The Doctor says, " What do you mean, you haven't got the fingers? I am the country's best microsurgeon and I could have reattached them. Why didn't you bring them with you?"
The man replies, "I couldn't pick them up."
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My Grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60.
Now he's 97 years old and we have no idea where the hell he is.
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Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home
at $4000.00 per month.
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I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
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The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
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I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I am doing.....
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Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise'
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
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Confucius did not say...
"Man who drive like hell bound to get there."
"He who sitteth on an upturned tack shall surely rise."
"Support bacteria, - It's the only culture that some people have."
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Ads you would not see today!
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Engrish sign seen in Cafe.
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A husband and wife are trying to set up a new password for their computer. The husband puts, "Mypenis," and the wife falls on the ground laughing because on the screen it says, "Error. Not long enough."
Wife: "How would you describe me?"
Husband: "ABCDEFGHIJK."
Wife: "What does that mean?"
Husband: "Adorable, beautiful, cute, delightful, elegant, fashionable, gorgeous, and hot."
Wife: "Aw, thank you, but what about IJK?"
Husband: "I'm just kidding!"
Teacher: "Kids,what does the chicken give you?"
Student: "Meat!"
Teacher: "Very good! Now what does the pig give you?"
Student: "Bacon!"
Teacher: "Great! And what does the fat cow give you?"
Student: "Homework!"
A woman answered the doorbell with a man standing on her porch. The man said, "I'm terribly sorry. I just ran over your cat and I would like to replace it for you." The woman replied, "Well that's alright with me, but how are you at catching mice?"
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Members Free Ads
Space here for Members advert. Please include Your name and membership number.
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Wayne #1756 & Dale Painter #1774
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Paul #8047 & Niki Morrison #8052
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Paul Gallagher # 3266
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Clive Hawthorn #8617
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Dennis Linton
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If you can't get it goin' with bungee cords and electricians tape - it's serious!
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Any views or opinions presented in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the North Harbour Ulysses Branch Committee.
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Please add editor's email address to your contacts to avoid your newsletter ending up in spam.
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