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The Harley Club at Balnarring
Tulum (Balnarring Beach), a long-time camping and holiday spot on Western Port Bay, was a favourite destination for members of the Harley Davidson Club (later Harley Club) formed in 1924.
In the summer of 1925-6 it was decided to build a club house, its own holiday home, near the bridge over Tulum Creek. The official opening was 18 December 1928.
Photograph - A. E. Frost, 'The Harley Club, Balnarring', c. 1930, Balnarring and District Historical Society
Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
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Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
"We had a good 50 years of going to Balnarring. Lots of family fun on the beach."
Harley Club member, Margaret Gibson
Photograph - 'Construction of the Harley Club House, Balnarring', c. 1928, Balnarring and District Historical Society
Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
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Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
In 1927, members donated time, money and labour to build a new club house, which opened 18 December 1928.
Photograph - 'Members and their bike at the Harley Club, Balnarring', c. 1930s, Balnarring and District Historical Society
Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
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Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
Members and their bike at the Harley Club, c. 1950.
Photograph - 'Members and their bikes at the Harley Club, Balnarring', c. 1930s, Balnarring and District Historical Society
Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
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Courtesy of Balnarring and District Historical Society
Harley Davidson Club Members, c. 1930.
Memorabilia - All Powers Sidecar race winner's sash won by J. Sholtz 31-5-59, 31 May 1959, Harley Club of Victoria
Courtesy of Harley Club of Victoria
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In some races, Club members competed against each other. At other times the Harley Club would compete against other Clubs.
TRANSCRIPT
Harley Club of Victoria SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP All Powers Sidecar Won by J. Scholtz, 31-5-59
Decorative Object - Harley Club Bike Ornament, c. 1960, Harley Club of Victoria
Courtesy of Harley Club of Victoria
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This aluminium emblem would have been fixed to the front of a motorcycle to show Club affiliation.
Audio - Ilma Hackett, 'The Harley Club at Balnarring', 2014, Balnarring and District Historical Society
Courtesy of Lavendar Hill Multimedia and Balnarring and District Historical Society
'The Harley Club at Balnarring'
Balnarring Beach was always a popular place for picnics and for camping holidays.
A sub-division for a township, named Tulum, had been made in the later half of the 19th century, a road constructed and a bridge built to span the creek.
In 1920 Tulum was again being promoted as an ideal spot to buy land for a holiday home. By 1922 things were “on the move” and at least a half dozen beach houses were in various stages of construction.
Maud and Bob Strain put up a small building not far from the bridge which they ran as the Cheero Tea rooms. It was about this time that the Harley Club discovered Tulum or Balnarring Beach.
The club started as the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club in February 1924. It was just one of several similar motorcycle clubs that sprang up about that time. In the early 1900s and particularly during World War I the motor bike had developed into a powerful and versatile form of transport. After the war it was an effective and affordable vehicle. When coupled with a sidecar or trailer it could be used as a work vehicle or the means for a family to travel around. It could also be used for sporting events with the various clubs competing against each other.
Then in the summer of 1925/6 the Club went on a tour to Adelaide where the South Australian Harley Club House was located at Sellicks Beach. The idea of finding a similar beachside location not too far from Melbourne was enthusiastically embraced. The new subdivision at Tulum seemed perfect and two lots were purchased in 1926. Money was raised through football sweeps and construction work on a club house was soon underway.
The official opening took place in December 1928. The Cheero Café had become a favourite meeting place and the Club’s insignia wings were fixed above the doorway. The Club House was a centre where members could come at weekends for both social and sporting events. It was also where the Club’s trophies and photographs were displayed.
The wide stretch of beach towards Somers offered the perfect venue for beach races and in 1927 motor cycle races were held along the sand. However there were safety concerns and future races on the beach were banned.
In the early days monthly dances were held and these were very popular. The Club’s Annual Dinner Dance was the social event of the Motorcycle World. There were games on the beach, and each Christmas a Children’s Christmas Party was always held at the Club House. Santa, of course, arrived on a motorcycle. The club was very lucky with its officials and members with business experience. It remained financially successful over the years and large amounts of money were raised for charity.
The period after the Second World War brought considerable change. The car became the family vehicle – replacing the motor cycle. The Harley Club continued to be a holiday place although the number of families using the club facilities gradually fell away during the 1960s.
Today two houses stand on the former club property. The high cypress hedge that screened both still stands. The original Club House is now a private home. The old name, The Harley Club, is echoed in the house’s new name: Harley House.
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Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands
where we live, learn and work.