Autobiography of the life history of Sir Hubert Opperman, a politician and world renowned cyclist in the mid 1900s. As a professional cyclist Opperman broke or established 101 state, Australian and world records in an incredible 24 hours of non stop cycling at the old Sydney velodrome. In Europe his wins in the Paris-Brest-Paris road race, the classic 24 hour Bol D'Or and setting a new Lands End John O'Groats record. He twice participated in the Tour de France.This book is an excellent reference for the world of cycling and politics in Australia.Signed autobiography title 'Pedals, Politics and People by Hubert Opperman, Hard backed copy and paper cover. The title is on a blue background and the remainder depicts photographs of spectators, with two main photographs superimposed over the spectators. One of the photographs is of Menzies and Opperman and the other is of Opperman riding a track cycle. "To the Millikan family/With best wishes/from/Hubert Opperman 'Oppy'"hubert opperman; tour de france; paris-brest-paris road race; pedals politics and people; dunlop grand prix; millikan family;

Juniors in 1950s were important in the Club. In 1959, the year after the death of R. Mockridge, amateurs were in ascendancy after the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956. J. Lee had been a schoolboys winner. Record of the importance of Juniors to a strong cycling club.Triangular pennant in navy blue felt. The pennant has a border of white felt and details of the event and the competitors are embossed in white over the blue felt."VACU/Country Junior 13 Miles Premiership 1959/Won by Geelong/Time 32mins 15secs/J Lee/R Neal/J Stokley/N Wenning/N Clarke"vacu; country junior 13 miles; premiership 1959; j. lee; r. neal; j. stokley; n. wenning; n. clarke;

This item began in 1982, finished 1983. Question arises - why did it not continue?Attempt by Club to recognise another success - but not continued.Wooden shield with small separate brass plaques in the shape of shields attached to the shield. Two of these are inscribed with winners names. The Shield also has an inscription at the top and a separate medallion with an outline of a cyclist stamped on it. A gold coloured stand with what appears to have been a cyclist on this stand has been broken off."K W Smith Perpetual Trophy/Fastest Time Road Aggregate/1982 R Bradford/1983 R Bradford"k w smith perpetual trophy; road aggregate; r. bradford; 1982; 1983;

Amateur pennant- Russell Mockridge was a magnet for the Club and just after he had ridden in 1948 Olympic Games, good riders were attracted to the Club.How does a Club grow? We note the effect if a very good rider in Russell Mockridge to inspire others.Two felt pennant flags in blue with white trims."VACU Premiership/Snr Country Road/Won by Geelong/1949" "VACU Premiership: Runners Up/Senior Country Road/ 1951"vacu; premiership; senior country road; won by geelong; 1949;, vacu; premiership; runners up; senior country road; 1951;

Geelong West professionals were strong with Russell Mockridge being part of this team.Shows the strength of the GWCC in this period.Triangular blue felt pennant flag bordered with gold coloured braid and yellow felt binding at one end. It has the insignia of the League of Victorian Wheelmen stamped in yellow and inscriptions stamped in yellow on it."LVW/Est 1893/1956/Road Premiers/Country Div - Won by/Geelong Westlvw; 1956; road premiers; country division; geelong west; league of victorian wheelmen;

These Pennant Flags were awarded to cycling clubs for road cycling competitions.The award of these pennants to the junior members of the Geelong West Cycling Club indicates the strength and popularity of competition cycling at the time.Triangular Pennant Flags. 3 flags are in blue felt with white inscriptions and one flag is in white felt with black inscriptions."VACU/Junior Country Road/ Premierships/Geelong/1947/1948/1950/1954"vacu; junior country road/; premierships; geelong; 1947; 1948; 1950; 1954;

Russell Mockridge b1928 d1958 was described 'as the greatest cyclist of all time'. The list of his achievements in this framed photograph indicates just how successful he was on the international cycling stage.Russell Mockridge achieved international notoriety as a cyclist from the mid 1940s until his death in 1958, representing Australia in the Olympic games, the Commonwealth Games, The Tour de France and other international high profile cycling events. Framed photo of listed achievements of Russell Mockridge. This shows printed information together with dates of placings in World events. The printing is in black on white paper, mounted on grey paper and framed in a black frame."Russell Mockridge/GACC 1946-1953/GWCC 1953-1958.russell mockridge; gacc; gwcc;

George Hotchin was a trader on Church Street, Geelong West who began assisting the club in its first year and then became a committee member and auditor and supporter of Junior riders until the mid 1920's.The GWCC required assistance from traders and from other community members. Black and white photograph of George Hotchin who was a Club Official c 1912."G. Hotchin/Vice President"g. hotchin; vice president, gwcc; 1912;

Thirty years after Geelong Veterans formed, GWCC members still raced both competitions.Recognition of Geelong Cycling Club member's capacity to achieve at a world level.Colour photograph framed in a black wooden frame with gold trim. The photograph is mounted on blue. This is a photograph of the world track cycling master championships in Sydney 2007."World Master Track Cycling Championships/Sydney/2007/3000m Individual Pursuit/Bronze Medalist/Steve Young"world master track cycling championships; 2007; 3000m individual pursuit; bronze medalist; steve young;

Sally Molloy was one of the trio with Tracey Watson and Felicity Wilson coming to prominence in the middle 1990s to establish women in cycling in Victoria. Women cyclists in the 1990s had broken into headlines buoyed by the wins of internationally acclaimed Kathy Watt.Women from the Geelong West Cycling Club played a prominent role in establishing women's cycling in Victoria.Colour photograph with white mount and black frame."GWCC/Molloy, Sally/1995/Victorian Road Champion"gwcc; sally molloy; 1995; victorian road champion; felicity wilson; tracey watson; kathy watt; gwcc;

These articles tell a number of stories of Victorian and International cyclists during this period. Notably among them is Don Wilson a GCC member and Olympic cyclist.The articles provide a broad picture of the interest cycling held with the general public at the time.Foolscap sized scrapbooks containing newspaper cycling articles from 1983-87

The 1973-1979 Newspaper articles and race results provide information on well known cycling identities in the Geelong area, some of whom achieved Australian and World championships in this sport. The newspaper article shown is of Ken Evans - a Herald Sun Tour winner in 1972 and is shown in the photograph winning a sprint at the Melbourne to Warrnambool Road Race in 1973.Newspaper articles provide a great insight into the numerous competitions and esteem in which cycling events we held in the Geelong region.Newspaper Articles, GWCC Cycling Race Records and Results 1973-1979ken evans; herald sun tour; melbourne to warrnambool road race;

The 1977-1982 Newspaper articles and race results provide information on well known cycling identities in the Geelong area, some of whom achieved Australian and World championships in this sport. Also included are minutes of meetings and correspondence 1978-1985.Well known racing identities of the time and Geelong Cycling Club members - Don Wilson - who won the Australian national road race title in 1975 and 1977. He also competed in the individual road race and the team time trial events at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, and the Sun Tour during this period.Wilson won and set the fastest time in the amateur Goulburn to Sydney Classic in 1967 run in reverse direction from Milperra to Goulburn. and John Trevorrow - won the Australian national road race title in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He was also 3 time Sun Tour winner in 1975, 1977 and 1979.Newspaper articles and hard backed books with handwritten minutes and correspondence and race results for the period 1977-1982.

Information provided regarding the formation and development of GACC over the period 1926 to 1960s.Points to the importance of cycling in the community during this period.GACC Club Records 1926-1970, including formation of GACC 1926. Newspaper articles including proposed Belmont Common Velodrome 1960s and farewell to John Hine.john hyne; gacc; club records;

The life member medals have GACC Life Member inscribed on the pin bar and the logo of the GACC represented on the medal. The place getter medals have inscriptions of race place getters and the race events inscribed on them. These medals indicate the importance that the Geelong Cycling community placed on - and continues to place on its life members and racing placegetters. Medals in guilded metal, some in gold colour and others in silver to represent placings in races. Broach guilded in gold, blue and white metal. This broach has a pin bar and a piece with the logo of the GACC on it.gacc; ken evans; medals;

Pedal Clubs began in the late 1950's to encourage safety, to stimulate interest in getting out into nature, to teach owners how to look after their bikes; to provide to young and old opportunities for healthy recreation; to provide enjoyment and fellowship for all lovers of the open spaces and to develop greater skills in cycling. From the 1970's onwards the clubs developed competitions to encourage safe bike handling and skills. These clubs generally relied on parents to run the competitions for the children in their locations. These clubs provided opportunities for healthy recreation and in addition contributed to social cohesiveness in local communities.Handwritten minutes, reports, correspondence of Geelong West Pedal Club 1986; photographs of club members at club activity days; newspaper articles.geelong west pedal club; sir hubert opperman; 1985; 1986;

Cycling shoes first appear in the 1880s and progressively became more sophisticated. Cleats first appear on cycling shoes in the late 1930s - before this toe cages and straps were used. The cleat design on these shoes was commonly used from the 1970s. Reflects the style of cycling shoe common in the 1970s and 1980s. Black leather cycling shoes with laces and slotted cleats. The leather uppers have punched holes in them to make them lighter and for ventilation. Some pairs have leather soles and others feature hard nylon soles. cycling shoes; sdi;

Road races have always been very popular with cyclists from the 1920s onwards.This trophy highlights the significance of this Road Race to the Club.Silver plated trophy with a lid and decorative arms on brown bakelite pedestal. The trophy is in Art Deco style.Deans Marsh/2-3-40/2 Miles Race/Won by/O. Phipps/deans marsh; 2-3-40; 2 miles race; won by; o. phipps;

This award provides an incentive for cyclists to perform at their best on club race days. It is interesting to note that over time awards have changed with the fashion of the time. Cycling trophies have ranged from badges in the early 1900s, to sashes in the mid 1900s, then to shields and to individual trophies.This award provided an incentive for cyclists to perform at their best on club race days. Gold anodised aluminium cup with arms and mounted on a base block of imitation stone. A small plaque on the block is inscribed. To lid of the trophy is damaged with what appears to have been an athlete, with only the foot remaining.GCCC/1984/Most Impressive/Greg Stewart/Donated by Reg Marriner Cycles/gccc; 1984; greg stewart; reg marriner cycles;

Team Road Races were a popular feature of club cycling in the Western District of Victoria during the second half of the 20th century. The shield was initiated by the Camperdown cycling club to record team winners of the races held between the clubs in the Western District of Victoria. This shield has an important place in the history of cycling in the Western District of Victoria. A large wooden shield with silver coloured plated plaques containing inscriptions of team winners of road races in the Western District of Victoria. There is a smaller shield in the centre of the shield depicting a cyclist and above and below this are banner like plaques with inscriptions on them. Many of the inscriptions have worn with age. "Perpetual Shield/Ian Davis - Gift Specialist/Camperdown .... CycleClub/Annual Western District/Teams Championship/1948/Terang ACC/No1 Team/1949/Terang ACC/No 1 Team/1950/Warrnambool ACC/No1 Team/1951/Warrnambool ACC/No1Team/1952/WarrnamboolACC/No1Team/1953/Sebastopol/ACC/1954/Sebastopol/ACC/1955/Geelong/No1 Team/1956/Camperdown ACC/1957/Sebastopol/No1 Team/1958/Geelong ACC/No1 Team/1959/Warrnambool ACC/No1 Team/1960/Geelong ACC/No1 Team/1961/Camperdown ACC/No 1 Team/1962/Geelong Camperdown/No1 Teams/ Equal/1963/Camperdown ACC/No 1 Team/1964/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1965/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1966/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1967/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1968/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1969/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1970/Geelong ACC/No 1 Team/1971-1976/inscriptions faded/1977/Warrnambool ACC/No1 Team/1978/Warrnambool ACC/No1 Team/1979/Geelong/N. Wilson/Godfrey/MacAuley/Hose/1980/Geelong/Inscriptions faded/1981/Geelong/G. Williams/N. Williams/D. Libbis/C. Judd/1982/Geelong/G. Williams/R. Bush/ P. Macauley/I. Wood/1983/Colac/P. Forster/P. Rippon/P. Taylor/D. Lunn/1984/Ballarat/Sebastopol/P. Taylor/M. Leverett/D. Keirl/1985/Geelong/D. Williams/G. Fitsimmons/B. Crane/L. Clinnick/1986/Colac/D. Lunn/C.Caspon/D. Allan/P. Jannsen/1987/Geelong/G. Williams/P. Macauley/B. Crane/D. Fitzsimmons/1988/.../1989/.../1990/Colac/C. Cashin/D. Forster/L. Nogera/S. Cropley/1991/Colace/C. Cashin/J. Stirling/S. Cropley/1992/Geelong West/D. Whitford/D. Wilson/P. Evans/M. Varker"perpetual shield; ian davis; annual western district teams championship; terang acc; warrnambool acc; sebastopol acc; geelong acc; camperdown acc; wilson; godfrey; macauley; hose; g. williams; n. williams; d. libbis; c. judd; r. bush; p. macauley; i. wood; colac; p. forster; p. rippon; p. taylor; d.lunn; ballarat; sebastopol; p. taylor; m. leverett; d. keirl; d. williams; g. fitsimmons; b. crane; l. clinnick; d. lunn; c.caspon; d. allan; p. jannsen; p. macaule; b. crane; d. fitzsimmons; c. cashin; d. forster; l. nogera; s. cropley; c. cashin; j. stirling; d. whitford; p. evans; m. varker;

A chronicle of Life Members of the G.A.C.C. during the mid 20th century. Note that cyclists of international acclaim - notably Russell Mockridge, Sir Hubert Opperman and Don Wilson are included in this list.This honour board has an important place in the history of the Geelong Amateur Cycling Club and signifies the high esteem in which the community and the GACC held for the significant contribution many members made to the club. A mahogany coloured wooden board in a rectangular shape with a decorative top and gold lettering providing the names of the Life Members of the GACC at that time.“GACC/Life Members/Crowley G/Foster F/Ross HJ/Beaton A/Holliday RS/Henshole Mrs/Henshole LD/McPherson A/Butterworth A/ Long HA/Mullany S/McMurrich RP/O'Dwyer T/Ward HR/Mockridge RG/Jones S/Mumford J/Lockwood EJ/Coster B/Reed J/Finn CH/Hine RJ/Opperman H/McDermott P/Johnston RA/Lee J/Rodgers NA/Jordan R/Wilson D/Wood R/Neagle M/Robertson P/Clarke G/Buckwell R/Osborne H/Presented by/J Reed & J Hunt" gacc; life members; crowley g; foster f; ross hj; beaton a; holliday rs; henshole mrs; henshole ld; mcpherson a; butterworth a; long ha; mullany s; mcmurrich rp; o'dwyer t; ward hr; mockridge rg; jones s; mumford j; lockwood ej; coster b; reed j; finn ch; hine rj; opperman h; mcdermott p; johnston ra; lee j; rodgers na; jordan r; wilson d; wood r; neagle m; robertson p; clarke g; buckwell r; osborne h; j reed; j hunt"

A chronicle of officials of the G.A.C.C. during 1955-1982 This honour board has an important place in the history of the Geelong Cycling Club and signifies the high esteem in which the community held cycling and those working behind the scenes during the 20th century. Wooden Board in mahogany colour with gold lettering. The board is in the shape of a rectangle and has a decorative top to it."GACC/Office Bearers/President - Secretary/1955 Hunt J/1956 Lockwood EJ/1957/Lockwood EJ/1958 Lockwood EJ/1959 Lockwood EJ/1963/Lockwood EJ/1964 Holliday RS/1965 Holliday RS/ 1966 Neagle ME/ 1968 Johnston RA/1969 Johnston RA/ 1970 Rodgers NA/1971 Rodgers NA/1972 Wood R/1976 Wood R/1977 Buckwell R/ 1978 Buckwell R/ 1979 Dillon M/ 1980 Dillon M/ 1981 Buckwell R/ 1982 Bush E/ Lockwood EJ/Lockwood EJ/Hunt J/Hunt J/Coppins H/ Reed J. Stokley RW/Hine RJ/Price A/Hoffman KR/Hoffman KR/Hoffman KR. Hine RJ/Hine RJ/Holliday RS/Holliday RS. Hansen G/Hine RJ. Jordan R/Jordan R/JordanR /JordanR/ Taylor G/Jordan R/Thomson D/Thomson D/Hose A/Alerton G/ Alerton G/Alerton G/Presented by /J Reed and J Hunt” gacc; office bearers; president; secretary; hunt j; lockwood ej; holliday rs; neagle me; johnston ra; rodgers na; wood r; buckwell r; 1979 dillon m; bush e; coppins h; reed j; stokley rw; hine rj; price a; hoffman kr; hansen g; jordan r; taylor g; thomson d; hose a; alerton g;

A chronicle of officials of the G.W.C.C. from 1911. This honour board has an important place in the history of the Geelong Cycling Club and signifies the high esteem in which the community held cycling in the early part of the 20th century. Rectangular board in a mahogany colour with the top of the board angled to a point. The board has inscriptions in a gold colour.“GWCC/President/1911 HJ Prescud/1912-15 H Flowers/1916 J Dorian/1917-20 P Grundell Snr/1921 J Paley/1922 F OLoghlin/1923 V Markham/1924-27 H Flowers/1928-29 C Flynn/1930-1959 JW Dillon/1960-61 R McKay/1962-63 I McPherson/1964-81 W. Stephens/1982-83 K Evans/1984 R. Baulch/1985-86 D Wilson/1987 N Wilson/Secretary/1911 JW Grundell HH Prescud/1912-1915 P Grundell Jnr/1916 J Craven/1917 H Prescud/1918-1925 J Sharp/1926 JW Dillon/1927 GA Wells/1928-29 C Winter/1930 BR Kelly/ 1931-32 R Ware/1933 S Cunningham/1934 D McGrath/1935-36 F Hamblett/1937 l Flowers T Craven/1938-81 L Flowers/1982-83 F Hamers/1984 R Baker/Life Members/ P Grundell Snr D/H Flowers D/G Hotchin D/J Sharpe/GW Dillon/A Belperraud/F Hamblett/F Condor/L Flowers/F OLoghlin/D McGrath D/ BR Kelly/W Stephens/A Batty/R Penn Jnr/W. Crookshanks/S Cunningham D/R Baulch/D Wilson/P Dent/J Dent/T Underwood/R Baker”gwcc; hj prescud; h flowers; j dorian; p grundell snr; j paley; f ologhlin; v markham; c flynn; jw dillon; r mckay; i mcpherson/; w. stephens; k evans; r. baulch; d wilson; n wilson; w grundell; hh prescud; j craven; j sharp; jw dillon; ga wells; c winter; br kelly; r ware; s cunningham; d mcgrath; f hamblett; t craven; f hamers; r baker; g hotchin; a belperraud; f hamblett; f condor; l flowers; a batty; r penn jnr; w. crookshanks; s cunningham d; r baulch; p dent; j dent; t underwood; r baker;