Vietnam Veterans & Veterans Motorcycle Club
It was 1962 when Australia's Armed Forces suddenly found themselves called to Duty. Initially the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) deployed thirty members to advise the South Vietnamese Army on how to effectively combat the North Vietnamese invasion. The AATTV were dispersed around the country and though they were deployed as non-combatant advisors, they quickly found themselves having to lead by example in combat situations. Up until the withdraw of Australian Servicemen in 1973, 61,000 members of the Australian Defence Force served in the Vietnam War.
On their return to Australia, the Servicemen were treated with little respect from the Australian population or the Returned Service League (RSL). Due to the government conscription policies of the time, the RSL didn't recognise the Returned Servicemen as 'Returned Servicemen', as they were conscripted and not volunteers. For a small number of Vietnam Veterans, neither the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia or any other mainstream organisation provided the type of outlet they required, leading to the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.
Stone is a 1974 Australian outlaw biker film, written, directed and produced by Sandy 'Undertaker' Harbutt. 'Take the Trip' is a reference to the effects of narcotics; however, Stone is by no means a glorification of biker gangs and their methods of survival but a fascinating insight into their way of life and their reasoning for reacting so strongly against society. John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch describes 'Take the Trip as a philosophy of the life long journey of biker culture, being involved in Stone and being involved in biker culture and the motorcycle club scene is taking the trip and the central theme of Stone'. Sandy stated 'I wanted to make a picture that captured the code and the values and all the things that made the motorcycle culture as it was, as I was experiencing it from about 1968 to about 1973, and I thought there was this honour, there was commitment to one-another that wasn't happening in any other culture that I knew of and I thought that it was something that should be recorded, because it was an important part of Australian life and it was being ignored and since I thought I had an insight into it, I decided to make a picture about the lifestyle'. During the 1970's the Forth & Clyde Hotel in Balmain, Sydney, NSW was a frequent biker hangout. To develop the movies narrative, Sandy started to 'hangout with these wild people to understand why they were on the radical edge of society'. The idea of Stone originated when Sandy was performing the role as a motorcycle policeman in the short-lived police series The Long Arm. Sandy stated 'I felt that The Long Arm was the worst television series ever made and I was going through a very down period at that time... the only joy I had was riding my bike. I wanted other people to experience how I felt, so I wrote Stone... it's my message from those who ride to those who don't, I want to educate Mr and Mrs Average'.
Note: The Forth & Clyde Hotel is the pub used in the movie fight scene between the Grave Diggers and Black Hawks. The Forth & Clyde Hotel had been a famous biker pub for 10 years; however, the pub had been closed for about a year before the filming of Stone and Sandy took up a quest to locate the owners to request its use for the movie. All the pub scenes were shot over a three day period.
Sandy and friend Michael Robinson, who was an advertising copywriter, decided to write a script for the show, The Long Arm; however, the series was cancelled. Sandy stated 'it was suggested that we turn it into a movie... I thought I could actually sit down and do something'. Michael Pate, the executive producer of The Long Arm was keen to continue with the project as a feature film; however, Pate's vision for an all American director and actors didn't impress Sandy, who was keen for the production to be completely Australian. In late 1970, Sandy Harbutt and Michale Robinson had re-worked the idea of the television script into a screenplay and Stone was born.
Note: The Black Hawks were a sanctioned Outlaw Motorcycle Club. Sandy approached them seeking use of their cut-offs, suggesting to members that 'the use of the Black Hawks patch in the movie Stone, will make the Black Hawks patch eternal'. For the filming there was a small percentage of Hells Angles making up members of the Black Hawks with the Lone Wolf, Grim Reapers, local MCs and stuntman supporting the fight scene at the Forth & Clyde Hotel. The Black Hawks President was 'Birdman' played by Tony Allyn.
Stone the movie was years ahead of its time and could be suggested that it was the first feature film about the disastrous experiences faced by Vietnam Veterans. Stone has all the essential ingredients of every successful film; beautiful women, heroic men, plenty of action, motorbikes, scenic views of Sydney, depth and meaning. In the movie Stone all the Grave Diggers are ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force, mainly Vietnam; however, some from the Korean War. Stone was the life's work of Sandy who co-wrote, produced, directed, acted and wrote some of the lyrics for the music.
Note: The script was written in 1970. It took two years before a backer stepped in - the Australian Film Development Corporation (federal government body which loans money to selected film makers). The script took two and a half weeks to write. The shooting schedule went for five weeks, working ten hours a day, six days a week. Most of the shooting was done in the last three months of the year. 'I wanted to shoot it as soon as possible and with as much sunlight as possible' stated Sandy. First week of filming all singular moments were shot i.e. assassin collecting his men, Mafia stuff, Police HQ and Stones place. For the next three weeks all the shots that involved bikes, Forth & Clyde Hotel, Middle Head and some street riding. In the last week it was all action i.e. double riding, explosions, deaths etc. An extra week was allocated to pick up bits and pieces as needed, with twelve weeks of editing and eight weeks of sound editing. Film locations were mainly in Sydney, including: North Sydney, Balmain, Washaway Beach, Middle Head, Lurline Bay Cliffs, Gosford Expressway and between Dubbo and Nyngan, about 580km west of Sydney for the final scene. During the filming, production attracted the attention of the Board of Management of the Auto-Cycle Union of NSW, which requested affiliated clubs not to support the film due to it being 'injurious to Australian motorcycling'. NSW Police gave their support to the project after NSW Police public relations division approved the script. Sandy stated 'I don't see how the Auto-Cycle Union is in any position to discuss the merits of a film script, what do they know about assessing scripts, have they ever seen a script?' Sandy also claimed that 'the Auto-Cycle Union not only issued members with a circular putting down the film, they also wrote a letter to the NSW Police asking them to cease cooperation with the production'. During production Stone earned the dubious distinction of being the first movie ever to be condemned by the Auto-Cycle Union of NSW... the Union, concerned at the films preoccupation with motorcycle gangs.
Revs Motorcycle News Columnist Chris Froebel described the film as 'cashing in' on the phenomenal success of the American feature ' On Any Given Sunday' and that 'there is no way that Mr Average public and his wife and kids are going to distinguish the members of an Auto-Cycle Union affiliated club on a club run from a pack of bikies such as the fictional Grave Diggers of Stone fame, and that is very sad... Mr Average sees the bike, the man and the drab clothing, instant horror!', further suggesting that they expected 'Mr Harbutt to add 10 or 15 minutes of the film to explain that there is a difference'. So much was the disapproval of the article from Heron Productions, that Sandy Harbutt visited the office of the publication a week prior to the release of Stone into theatres. Sandy stated that 'Stone was not cashing in on anything'.
Note: The period of engagement for actors was between Monday 22 October-Saturday 17 November 1973 at the sum of $110.00 per week, being for a 6 day, 60 hour week.
The world premier was held at 8.15pm Thursday 27 June 1974 at Forum Theatre, George Street, Sydney with special guests to the opening being the Hells Angels, Gypsy Jokers, Black Hawks, Lone Wolf Motorcycle Club and Federal Minister of Media, Senator Douglas McClelleand. General release commenced on Friday 28 June 1974. The film ran for 15 weeks in the Forum Theatre, Sydney. The film was re-edited and re-submitted to the Australian Classification Board by Hedon Productions for release on Friday 01 November 1979. This was due to BEFs 5 year distribution contract coming to an end. The movie was released by Roadshow Entertainment on VHS on the Thursday 06 October 1983, Magna Pacific on DVD Tuesday 01 May 2001, Severin Films on DVD on Tuesday 28 October 2008 and Umbrella Entertainment Blue-Ray DVD Wednesday 07 April 2021. It was first aired on Seven Network in the 9.30pm slot on Monday 09 June 1980 in an adult only modified version (two scenes were removed for television release; the decapitation and final sequence, where Stone is visited by the Grave Diggers MC). On the day of launch Stone was heavily criticised by movie critics; however, was picked up by Greater Union Cinemas to screen to large audiences around Australia... the film was completed three days before the film premiered.
'Australian Film Industry Crashes With Bike Grand Epic' - The National Times.
'Stone the Crows, Mate! Aussie Movie Proves A Real Stinker' - The Sydney Daily Telegraph.
'Stone the Flaming Crows' - Rev Motorcycle Magazine.
Note: Initially the film was temporarily stopped from being shown in Brisbane. A special preview of Stone was cancelled by management a few minutes before it was due to start. The management of the Odeon Theatre withdrew the film and instead showed the Walt Disney Film 'Lady and the Tramp'. There was confusion whether the film was suspended by Queenslands Board of Review or the theatres management. The management claimed that the Walt Disney film had been playing to compacity audiences; thus, sited this being the reason for cancellation; however, Stone was withdrawn while the Queensland Board of Review re-considered whether the film was too violent.
The short film before the feature Stone was an accompanying documentary 'They Called Them Killers' - about whales at an aquarium in Canada.
Distributor theatrical release dates of Stone: Australia - 1974 (British Empire Films), United Kingdom - 1980 (New Realm Entertainment), Japan (Nippon Herald Films) - 1981, Germany (Senator Films) - 1981 and France (Senator Films) - 1982. Australia re-release (Premium Films) - 1995. Stone screened with Stone Forever 25th Anniversary Run called 'Run and Rage' at the Sydney Film Festival in June 1999 and aired on SBS 11 December 1999. Australian VHS and DVD release: Roadshow Home Video VHS - 1983, Magna Pacific Entertainment DVD 2001 and Umbrella Entertainment DVD Inc. Blue-Ray 2021.
Stone was also promoted internationally as: Germany - Sie nannten ihn (they called him) Stone, France - Urban Warriors, Norway - Stone Motorsykkelbandens hevn (the revenge of the motorcycle gang) and Sweden - Snutjakten (the muzzleloader).
The film originally was 124-126 minutes long; however, after the five year agreement with BEF expired, Sandy shortened the film to 98 minutes for sales and further screenings. The post production on Stone was breakneck and Sandy admitted to not properly viewing the film in its entirety until the premier. Sandy thought the film was too long and planned to tighten the edit; however, the distributors were elated with the audience reaction and convinced Sandy to leave the film as it was released. When Stone had its video release in 1983, Sandy used this opportunity to create 'The Directors Cut'. He removed over 30 minutes of footage and this shortened version has been the only version since.
Note: The film has been edited multiple times - post production, directors cut, international release, Australian video release and Australian TV release. All removed scenes from the original film can be viewed on the Stone Blue-Ray DVD, released on Wednesday 07 April 2021. Umbrella Entertainment has the approval to distribute the film in all forms, until the specified agreement ends, with all future ownership of Stones intellectual copyright to be held by Sandy Harbutt's Estate.
For thirty years Sandy stored the film and its negatives in a private setting, because the National Film and Sound Archives of Australia had no interest in storing Stone. In 2008 they agreed to receive the film and negatives.
In the opening montage of the movie Stone a Honda 450 catapults itself off the Lurline Bay Cliffs in Sydney, jumping 86ft (26.213m) and setting a world record in the process. Peter Armstrong stated before the jump 'even if I die, don't cut the shot'. On the 30th October 1977 Peter was named 'The Stuntman of the Year' at the Professional Stuntman Awards.
During the 1970's a small brotherhood of returned Vietnam Veterans rode and drank at local watering holes in and around Sydney, NSW. After the release of the movie Stone in 1974 the club unofficially commenced in 1978 as the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club (VVMCC) Australia, a 'lead on' from the movie Stone; however, it was impermanent.
Note: Sandy owned and was riding a Triumph before it was stolen. After The Long Arm series finished, Sandy was able to purchase a new bike; however, there was a three month wait for a Triumph Trident. The dominant MC's President and SGT were both riding a Honda 750 four-cylinder roaster... 'blowing everyone away', so Sandy purchased one and 'ruled the street's', with one of the Hondas 750 accessorised with clipon's, dunstall fairings, tank and accessories. While riding these bikes Sandy had the idea about the Kawasaki Z900. During the development of the film, Sandy approached various motorcycle manufactures seeking assistance for the movie i.e. Triumph, BMW and Harley Davidson; however, even though Kawasaki thought that supplying a fleet of customised Z900s for the film was 'risking the image', Kawasaki was able to provide 16 brand new bikes free of charge with Homebush Fibreglass of Sydney making the bikini fairings, Matthew-Haritos investing to the 30 eldorado helmets and with the assistance from custom paint artist Dave Hart of M & F Choppers, it solidified the concept of what the Grave Diggers MC would ride, while Sydney resident and former International Six Day Trial gold medal winning motorcyclist Victor Hoffman worked hard to maintain the 16 bikes during the filming. Sandy stated to Bevan Roberts, the Sales Manager of Kawasaki Motorcycles in 1973 , 'if you loan me 16 brand new motorcycles, I will make a 90 minute Kawasaki commercial'. It took Dave Hart in a Redfern garage two weeks to personalise the paintwork on each of the 16 brand new Z900s and helmets that were delivered to him, two at a time, brand new in crates. At the completion of the movie the bikes were returned to Kawasaki for auction, except for the 'Undertakers' , '69s' and 'Buzzards'. For the Stone 25th Anniversary Run in 1998, BMW donated 6 R1200C's with the paintwork from the original bikes replicated onto tanks and fairings by Dave Hart.
Stone featured 36 different characters, 14 of which were female, with 8 of the cast members receiving advanced tuition at the Willoughby District Motorcycle Club Training School at Seven Hills. Two top motorcycle races also agreed to support production - motor cross racer Brian Martin and road racer Garry Thomas.
In February 1990 the Vietnam Veterans Riders Association Motorcycle Club (VVRAMCC) was formed in NSW. The Club quickly recruited members and developed a strong following in Victoria, NSW and QLD; however as an MC it lacked credibility within the 1% subculture and its aim as an organisation for Vietnam Veterans were just as unclear. Membership was easily obtained by mail, there were no attempts to verify the service background of applicants, nor were members expected to make any permanent commitment to the association. In the eyes of many Veterans its membership and principles were suspect. The uncertain identify of the VVRAMCC coupled with the vague feelings of 'betrayal' prompted members in QLD to establish the VVMCC as an independent organisation with a new identify and more decisive goals. On Long Tan Day, Saturday 18 August 1990, the VVMCC formally emerged in Brisbane at a ceremony held at the Vietnam Memorial in ANZAC Square, while another branch was formed at Broadford, Victoria in December 1990.
One problem in the early years of the club was the presence of 'Bog Vets'; men who had become patch wearing members but had never served in Vietnam. They were asked to leave and their dishonesty and betrayal was intolerable. The military records of all new members are now carefully checked and ratified. Note: There is a period of indeterminate length during which a commitment of a nominee is tested; however, there are no acts of initiation, the Veterans have a tacit approval from the start of there association with the club, but nominees are still required to prove themselves in the context of the group... in a broader sense, as they have already been tested under fire long before they were associated with the motorcycle club. They are a group of men that have served there country in operational theatres; thus, their worth is already known to the club...tests of courage and ritual baptisms are therefore unnecessary.
In December 1990 an advertisement was placed in a Melbourne newspaper seeking those Vietnam Veterans who were also motorcycle riders and who would be interested in starting a motorcycle club. A meeting of ex-serving Vietnam Veterans met at the Broadford Hotel in Victoria and proposed the formation of a Club called the VVMCC. At the beginning of 1991 a seperate group of men met at Pakenham on the southern outskirts of Melbourne with the same goal in mind. These two groups merged soon after to form the Victorian Chapter of the VVMCC. Chapters formed in other states and by 1992, the Club had replaced the VVRAMCC with VVMCC and could almost call itself a national organisation.
The initial attraction for all members was a love of motorcycles, although the club was never intended to be an organisation that only catered for bikers. From the start, building a legitimate ex-service organisation which catered for the welfare of its members was an important part of its agenda. The vision of a cohesive group of Vietnam Veterans who rode motorcycles and who were willing to work together for a common good was a driving force. The clubs style was crucial... abandoning the conservative image of the Vietnam Veterans Riders Association, set the club apart from the mainstream motorcycling community.
A Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Dedication Ceremony was held on Saturday 03 October 1992. Brigadier Colin Kahn D.S.O delivered the address. He spoke of the days importance and highlighted that the Welcome Home March was a 'significant step in the healing of the wounds of war' . The ceremony included a march up ANZAC Parade by Veterans, with the VVMC bringing up the rear of the parade on their bikes. Prior to the Vietnam Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Canberra, the VVMC was an organisation without unity. On Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 October 1992, all states agreed to form a National Council.
In 1995 the VVMC members rode from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin and geographical points in-between to commemorate Vietnam Veterans in Canberra at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial. The gathering was called the 'Rolling Thunder Memorial Run'. Approximately 250 bikes and pillions rode through Canberra, passing Parliament House, snaking their way towards the memorial. Master of Ceremonies were members of the VVMC, with the ashes of 'Gunny' from the Perth Chapter scattered in the waters of the memorial, finishing off with God Squad member 'Kojak' reciting words of thanks and remembrance.
There has been 4 patch iterations of the clubs colours:
1. 1978-1989 VVRAMCC (shield front pocket patch)
2. 1989-1992 VVRAMCC (circular one piece back patch)
3. 1992-2000 Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club (VVMC - three piece back patch), and
4. 2000 Veterans MC (VMC - three piece back patch) Note. Dates and timings from one piece back patch to three piece patch and from VVMC to VMC from state to state varied in accordance with dominate MCs approval.
The first Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle clubhouse was established in 1990 at Factory 3/ 8 Bray Street, Hastings, Melbourne, Victoria.
The first major public event organised by the club in Victoria was a tattoo show held at Pakenham in May 1991. Described in OZ Bike Magazine as the 'founding piss up of the Vietnam Veterans MCC'. It was a raucous affair, in keeping with the style of similar events held by other MC Clubs.
Western Australia (WA) Vietnam Veterans attended the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial Ceremony conducted by Australian Politician Ben Humphries on Friday 06 September 1991 and on returning to WA formed a VVMC Charter. On Friday 10 July 1992 the inaugural meeting of the WA VVMC Club occurred in Perth WA. In 1995 the club obtained a premises in Lord Street East Perth. In 1997 the club made it mandatory that all members rode Harley Davidson Motorcycles. It took three years for WA VVMC to be approved by the dominate MC to wear 'Casper' and the three piece patch, with official approval granted in 1996.
Initially the club had a 'no rules' policy, with one man known as a 'contact bloke', whose main job was to maintain contact with members, although he had no executive powers. This arrangement was abandoned in 1993 when the Chapters became incorporated and a more conventional structure was adopted with Presidents and Office bearers. Each Chapter of the VVMC was committed to the same basic goals, but there were differences between each Chapter that were determined by local constraints and conditions.
Establishing a position within the complex world of the one percent biker was not easy and it did not happen overnight. New clubs cannot simply claim a place within the closed ranks of this fraternity; rights of passage need to be negotiated and etiquette carefully observed.
The Queensland Chapter was officially formed on Saturday 18 August 1990 in ANZAC Square Brisbane. The first clubhouse of the Queensland Chapter was on Logan Road, Woolloongabba. The second clubhouse was at Juliette Street in Stones Corner. In December 1995 the Queensland Chapter took the lease over from the God Squad on Persse Road, Runcorn. In 2002 the club purchased 10 acres of land in Kingston and on Tuesday the 02 April 2002 relocated to the 'Bunker'.
In April 1992 the Vietnam Veterans South Australian Chapter was formed. In 2010 the South Australian Chapter proposed a name change to Veterans MC. On Saturday 20 July 2013 the South Australian Chapter was renamed Veterans MC.
During the autumn of 1992 the Tasmanian Chapter of the VVMC was formed in Launceston. On Sunday 16 October 2016 the VVMC approved Veterans into the club. Note: As the Tasmanian Chapter only had Vietnam Veterans in its Chapter, the club remained a VVMC until Veterans sought membership in 2016.
The Northern Territory was the last to form a Chapter in early 1993.
During the onset of the VVMC there was one Chapter per State (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT & TAS). A proposal was submitted by the Queensland Chapter to the other Chapter Presidents seeking approval to expand and create another Club within QLD, due to the distance its members had to travel. This was the first expansion of a VVMC within its own State.
In 1991 members of the Queensland Chapter marched in cut-offs, having initial opposition from the organisers due to their dress and bearing. Later that year they rode their bikes in the Long Tan Day march. In 1994 members of the Western Australian Chapter of the VVMC rode in the Perth ANZAC Day march, riding near the start of the procession and on ANZAC Day 1995, the Victorian Chapter of the VVMC rode their bikes in the annual memorial march through the centre of Melbourne to the Shrine of Remembrance, previously supporting marches in Hastings, Albury and Ramsey.
In 1996 the NSW Chapter of the VVMC in conjunction with Vets Connect circumnavigated the Australian mainland to 'connect' with Veterans. 100 Veterans departed Sydney on Wednesday 01 May 1996, travelling through Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane, finishing at Prince Alfred Park, Sydney. The Veterans completed a total riding distance of 14000km between the months of May-June, totalling six weeks.
In the funeral run scene from the movie Stone, 400 bikes showed up to support the filming. It is estimated that all motorcycle riders in Sydney attended this event, including the outlaw motorcycle clubs. The funeral scene is recognised as an event of great significance in Australian biker history, as it represents the moment when 'all clubs' came together for the first time in Australia. Note: the initial filming of the Memorial Run was held on Saturday 08 December 1973. The 20th Memorial Run was held on the Saturday 11th December 1993 and the 25th Anniversary Run was held on Saturday 12th December 1998; thus, all proceeding Memorial Runs post initial run have been conducted on the 2nd Saturday in December.
At 09.30am Saturday 11th December 1993 a 20th Memorial Stone Run was held by the VVMC NSW Chapter and the Kawasaki Z Owners of Victoria. The run commenced at Lane Cove Road, North Ride, facing Epping Highway, took three hours to complete, with the 'pack of bikes' stretching twenty six kilometres. The VVMC intent for this event was to confer licensing of 'Casper' to the VVMC and as stated by the NSW VVMC Road Captain at the time, 'end any or all involvement associated with or inferred that this Club, the Vietnam Veterans is in anyway fictional or a bunch of actors'; however, differences arose between Sandy and the VVMC at the last minute and the handover didn't occur as intended. Organisers approximated 5000 bikes would attend but numbers exceeded 12,000. Note: Sandy did not want to just celebrate Stone but the ideology of 'Take the Trip'. The coming together of all motorcycle riders, clubs and what it means to be part of biker culture.
The National Organisational Committee consisted of Sandy Harbutt (Stone), Trevor Thomas (freelance journalist), Boris Mihailovich, Bob Skol and Laurie Keats (OZ Bikes), Mike Esdaile from Federal Publishing (Two Wheels, Street Bike, Live to Ride and Revs Motorcycle News Magazine), Vince Tesseriro (Forcefield Marketing), Hush (VVMC), Lindsay Roberts and Dean Mighell (Kawasaki Z Owners Club). The event was conducted in two parts - VVMC managing the Stone Memorial Run up the Newcastle Expressway, Z Owners managing the alcohol, merchandise, gate fees, security, with a promoter organising the entertainment. Note: Express, Redneck Mothers, Kevin Borich, Idols, Vaseline Machine Gun and Head Hunters were part of the entertainment, with the girls from X-Ray Tracy performing three shows. The live entertainment commenced at 1400 Saturday, concluding 0400 Sunday.
Those that pre-paid for the event got a memorial patch and 6 alcoholic cans per entry. Profits for the event: 5% Legacy with the remainder divided between the VVMC NSW Chapter and the Kawasaki Z Owners, Victoria. Any profits from the sale of t-shirts in each state remained in the state of sale for the VVMC.
The three piece patch 'Casper' started to be worn by VVMC members from 1992; however, this varied from state to state, as approval had to be sought and given by the dominate MC's e.g. NSW were wearing their three piece patch in 1992; however, WA commenced wearing their three piece patch from 1996. Note: Sandy states 'he first became aware of the use of 'Casper' by the VVMC in late 1992'.
Note: The most important event in the clubs events calendar are the 'Stone Runs', which are compulsory for all members and are held periodically. The name Stone was first used in the clubs first run in 1990, which had a 1960's biker theme and featured the Rolling Stones music and the showing of the 1974 movie Stone.
On their return to Australia, the Servicemen were treated with little respect from the Australian population or the Returned Service League (RSL). Due to the government conscription policies of the time, the RSL didn't recognise the Returned Servicemen as 'Returned Servicemen', as they were conscripted and not volunteers. For a small number of Vietnam Veterans, neither the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia or any other mainstream organisation provided the type of outlet they required, leading to the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.
Stone is a 1974 Australian outlaw biker film, written, directed and produced by Sandy 'Undertaker' Harbutt. 'Take the Trip' is a reference to the effects of narcotics; however, Stone is by no means a glorification of biker gangs and their methods of survival but a fascinating insight into their way of life and their reasoning for reacting so strongly against society. John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch describes 'Take the Trip as a philosophy of the life long journey of biker culture, being involved in Stone and being involved in biker culture and the motorcycle club scene is taking the trip and the central theme of Stone'. Sandy stated 'I wanted to make a picture that captured the code and the values and all the things that made the motorcycle culture as it was, as I was experiencing it from about 1968 to about 1973, and I thought there was this honour, there was commitment to one-another that wasn't happening in any other culture that I knew of and I thought that it was something that should be recorded, because it was an important part of Australian life and it was being ignored and since I thought I had an insight into it, I decided to make a picture about the lifestyle'. During the 1970's the Forth & Clyde Hotel in Balmain, Sydney, NSW was a frequent biker hangout. To develop the movies narrative, Sandy started to 'hangout with these wild people to understand why they were on the radical edge of society'. The idea of Stone originated when Sandy was performing the role as a motorcycle policeman in the short-lived police series The Long Arm. Sandy stated 'I felt that The Long Arm was the worst television series ever made and I was going through a very down period at that time... the only joy I had was riding my bike. I wanted other people to experience how I felt, so I wrote Stone... it's my message from those who ride to those who don't, I want to educate Mr and Mrs Average'.
Note: The Forth & Clyde Hotel is the pub used in the movie fight scene between the Grave Diggers and Black Hawks. The Forth & Clyde Hotel had been a famous biker pub for 10 years; however, the pub had been closed for about a year before the filming of Stone and Sandy took up a quest to locate the owners to request its use for the movie. All the pub scenes were shot over a three day period.
Sandy and friend Michael Robinson, who was an advertising copywriter, decided to write a script for the show, The Long Arm; however, the series was cancelled. Sandy stated 'it was suggested that we turn it into a movie... I thought I could actually sit down and do something'. Michael Pate, the executive producer of The Long Arm was keen to continue with the project as a feature film; however, Pate's vision for an all American director and actors didn't impress Sandy, who was keen for the production to be completely Australian. In late 1970, Sandy Harbutt and Michale Robinson had re-worked the idea of the television script into a screenplay and Stone was born.
Note: The Black Hawks were a sanctioned Outlaw Motorcycle Club. Sandy approached them seeking use of their cut-offs, suggesting to members that 'the use of the Black Hawks patch in the movie Stone, will make the Black Hawks patch eternal'. For the filming there was a small percentage of Hells Angles making up members of the Black Hawks with the Lone Wolf, Grim Reapers, local MCs and stuntman supporting the fight scene at the Forth & Clyde Hotel. The Black Hawks President was 'Birdman' played by Tony Allyn.
Stone the movie was years ahead of its time and could be suggested that it was the first feature film about the disastrous experiences faced by Vietnam Veterans. Stone has all the essential ingredients of every successful film; beautiful women, heroic men, plenty of action, motorbikes, scenic views of Sydney, depth and meaning. In the movie Stone all the Grave Diggers are ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force, mainly Vietnam; however, some from the Korean War. Stone was the life's work of Sandy who co-wrote, produced, directed, acted and wrote some of the lyrics for the music.
Note: The script was written in 1970. It took two years before a backer stepped in - the Australian Film Development Corporation (federal government body which loans money to selected film makers). The script took two and a half weeks to write. The shooting schedule went for five weeks, working ten hours a day, six days a week. Most of the shooting was done in the last three months of the year. 'I wanted to shoot it as soon as possible and with as much sunlight as possible' stated Sandy. First week of filming all singular moments were shot i.e. assassin collecting his men, Mafia stuff, Police HQ and Stones place. For the next three weeks all the shots that involved bikes, Forth & Clyde Hotel, Middle Head and some street riding. In the last week it was all action i.e. double riding, explosions, deaths etc. An extra week was allocated to pick up bits and pieces as needed, with twelve weeks of editing and eight weeks of sound editing. Film locations were mainly in Sydney, including: North Sydney, Balmain, Washaway Beach, Middle Head, Lurline Bay Cliffs, Gosford Expressway and between Dubbo and Nyngan, about 580km west of Sydney for the final scene. During the filming, production attracted the attention of the Board of Management of the Auto-Cycle Union of NSW, which requested affiliated clubs not to support the film due to it being 'injurious to Australian motorcycling'. NSW Police gave their support to the project after NSW Police public relations division approved the script. Sandy stated 'I don't see how the Auto-Cycle Union is in any position to discuss the merits of a film script, what do they know about assessing scripts, have they ever seen a script?' Sandy also claimed that 'the Auto-Cycle Union not only issued members with a circular putting down the film, they also wrote a letter to the NSW Police asking them to cease cooperation with the production'. During production Stone earned the dubious distinction of being the first movie ever to be condemned by the Auto-Cycle Union of NSW... the Union, concerned at the films preoccupation with motorcycle gangs.
Revs Motorcycle News Columnist Chris Froebel described the film as 'cashing in' on the phenomenal success of the American feature ' On Any Given Sunday' and that 'there is no way that Mr Average public and his wife and kids are going to distinguish the members of an Auto-Cycle Union affiliated club on a club run from a pack of bikies such as the fictional Grave Diggers of Stone fame, and that is very sad... Mr Average sees the bike, the man and the drab clothing, instant horror!', further suggesting that they expected 'Mr Harbutt to add 10 or 15 minutes of the film to explain that there is a difference'. So much was the disapproval of the article from Heron Productions, that Sandy Harbutt visited the office of the publication a week prior to the release of Stone into theatres. Sandy stated that 'Stone was not cashing in on anything'.
Note: The period of engagement for actors was between Monday 22 October-Saturday 17 November 1973 at the sum of $110.00 per week, being for a 6 day, 60 hour week.
The world premier was held at 8.15pm Thursday 27 June 1974 at Forum Theatre, George Street, Sydney with special guests to the opening being the Hells Angels, Gypsy Jokers, Black Hawks, Lone Wolf Motorcycle Club and Federal Minister of Media, Senator Douglas McClelleand. General release commenced on Friday 28 June 1974. The film ran for 15 weeks in the Forum Theatre, Sydney. The film was re-edited and re-submitted to the Australian Classification Board by Hedon Productions for release on Friday 01 November 1979. This was due to BEFs 5 year distribution contract coming to an end. The movie was released by Roadshow Entertainment on VHS on the Thursday 06 October 1983, Magna Pacific on DVD Tuesday 01 May 2001, Severin Films on DVD on Tuesday 28 October 2008 and Umbrella Entertainment Blue-Ray DVD Wednesday 07 April 2021. It was first aired on Seven Network in the 9.30pm slot on Monday 09 June 1980 in an adult only modified version (two scenes were removed for television release; the decapitation and final sequence, where Stone is visited by the Grave Diggers MC). On the day of launch Stone was heavily criticised by movie critics; however, was picked up by Greater Union Cinemas to screen to large audiences around Australia... the film was completed three days before the film premiered.
'Australian Film Industry Crashes With Bike Grand Epic' - The National Times.
'Stone the Crows, Mate! Aussie Movie Proves A Real Stinker' - The Sydney Daily Telegraph.
'Stone the Flaming Crows' - Rev Motorcycle Magazine.
Note: Initially the film was temporarily stopped from being shown in Brisbane. A special preview of Stone was cancelled by management a few minutes before it was due to start. The management of the Odeon Theatre withdrew the film and instead showed the Walt Disney Film 'Lady and the Tramp'. There was confusion whether the film was suspended by Queenslands Board of Review or the theatres management. The management claimed that the Walt Disney film had been playing to compacity audiences; thus, sited this being the reason for cancellation; however, Stone was withdrawn while the Queensland Board of Review re-considered whether the film was too violent.
The short film before the feature Stone was an accompanying documentary 'They Called Them Killers' - about whales at an aquarium in Canada.
Distributor theatrical release dates of Stone: Australia - 1974 (British Empire Films), United Kingdom - 1980 (New Realm Entertainment), Japan (Nippon Herald Films) - 1981, Germany (Senator Films) - 1981 and France (Senator Films) - 1982. Australia re-release (Premium Films) - 1995. Stone screened with Stone Forever 25th Anniversary Run called 'Run and Rage' at the Sydney Film Festival in June 1999 and aired on SBS 11 December 1999. Australian VHS and DVD release: Roadshow Home Video VHS - 1983, Magna Pacific Entertainment DVD 2001 and Umbrella Entertainment DVD Inc. Blue-Ray 2021.
Stone was also promoted internationally as: Germany - Sie nannten ihn (they called him) Stone, France - Urban Warriors, Norway - Stone Motorsykkelbandens hevn (the revenge of the motorcycle gang) and Sweden - Snutjakten (the muzzleloader).
The film originally was 124-126 minutes long; however, after the five year agreement with BEF expired, Sandy shortened the film to 98 minutes for sales and further screenings. The post production on Stone was breakneck and Sandy admitted to not properly viewing the film in its entirety until the premier. Sandy thought the film was too long and planned to tighten the edit; however, the distributors were elated with the audience reaction and convinced Sandy to leave the film as it was released. When Stone had its video release in 1983, Sandy used this opportunity to create 'The Directors Cut'. He removed over 30 minutes of footage and this shortened version has been the only version since.
Note: The film has been edited multiple times - post production, directors cut, international release, Australian video release and Australian TV release. All removed scenes from the original film can be viewed on the Stone Blue-Ray DVD, released on Wednesday 07 April 2021. Umbrella Entertainment has the approval to distribute the film in all forms, until the specified agreement ends, with all future ownership of Stones intellectual copyright to be held by Sandy Harbutt's Estate.
For thirty years Sandy stored the film and its negatives in a private setting, because the National Film and Sound Archives of Australia had no interest in storing Stone. In 2008 they agreed to receive the film and negatives.
In the opening montage of the movie Stone a Honda 450 catapults itself off the Lurline Bay Cliffs in Sydney, jumping 86ft (26.213m) and setting a world record in the process. Peter Armstrong stated before the jump 'even if I die, don't cut the shot'. On the 30th October 1977 Peter was named 'The Stuntman of the Year' at the Professional Stuntman Awards.
During the 1970's a small brotherhood of returned Vietnam Veterans rode and drank at local watering holes in and around Sydney, NSW. After the release of the movie Stone in 1974 the club unofficially commenced in 1978 as the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club (VVMCC) Australia, a 'lead on' from the movie Stone; however, it was impermanent.
Note: Sandy owned and was riding a Triumph before it was stolen. After The Long Arm series finished, Sandy was able to purchase a new bike; however, there was a three month wait for a Triumph Trident. The dominant MC's President and SGT were both riding a Honda 750 four-cylinder roaster... 'blowing everyone away', so Sandy purchased one and 'ruled the street's', with one of the Hondas 750 accessorised with clipon's, dunstall fairings, tank and accessories. While riding these bikes Sandy had the idea about the Kawasaki Z900. During the development of the film, Sandy approached various motorcycle manufactures seeking assistance for the movie i.e. Triumph, BMW and Harley Davidson; however, even though Kawasaki thought that supplying a fleet of customised Z900s for the film was 'risking the image', Kawasaki was able to provide 16 brand new bikes free of charge with Homebush Fibreglass of Sydney making the bikini fairings, Matthew-Haritos investing to the 30 eldorado helmets and with the assistance from custom paint artist Dave Hart of M & F Choppers, it solidified the concept of what the Grave Diggers MC would ride, while Sydney resident and former International Six Day Trial gold medal winning motorcyclist Victor Hoffman worked hard to maintain the 16 bikes during the filming. Sandy stated to Bevan Roberts, the Sales Manager of Kawasaki Motorcycles in 1973 , 'if you loan me 16 brand new motorcycles, I will make a 90 minute Kawasaki commercial'. It took Dave Hart in a Redfern garage two weeks to personalise the paintwork on each of the 16 brand new Z900s and helmets that were delivered to him, two at a time, brand new in crates. At the completion of the movie the bikes were returned to Kawasaki for auction, except for the 'Undertakers' , '69s' and 'Buzzards'. For the Stone 25th Anniversary Run in 1998, BMW donated 6 R1200C's with the paintwork from the original bikes replicated onto tanks and fairings by Dave Hart.
Stone featured 36 different characters, 14 of which were female, with 8 of the cast members receiving advanced tuition at the Willoughby District Motorcycle Club Training School at Seven Hills. Two top motorcycle races also agreed to support production - motor cross racer Brian Martin and road racer Garry Thomas.
In February 1990 the Vietnam Veterans Riders Association Motorcycle Club (VVRAMCC) was formed in NSW. The Club quickly recruited members and developed a strong following in Victoria, NSW and QLD; however as an MC it lacked credibility within the 1% subculture and its aim as an organisation for Vietnam Veterans were just as unclear. Membership was easily obtained by mail, there were no attempts to verify the service background of applicants, nor were members expected to make any permanent commitment to the association. In the eyes of many Veterans its membership and principles were suspect. The uncertain identify of the VVRAMCC coupled with the vague feelings of 'betrayal' prompted members in QLD to establish the VVMCC as an independent organisation with a new identify and more decisive goals. On Long Tan Day, Saturday 18 August 1990, the VVMCC formally emerged in Brisbane at a ceremony held at the Vietnam Memorial in ANZAC Square, while another branch was formed at Broadford, Victoria in December 1990.
One problem in the early years of the club was the presence of 'Bog Vets'; men who had become patch wearing members but had never served in Vietnam. They were asked to leave and their dishonesty and betrayal was intolerable. The military records of all new members are now carefully checked and ratified. Note: There is a period of indeterminate length during which a commitment of a nominee is tested; however, there are no acts of initiation, the Veterans have a tacit approval from the start of there association with the club, but nominees are still required to prove themselves in the context of the group... in a broader sense, as they have already been tested under fire long before they were associated with the motorcycle club. They are a group of men that have served there country in operational theatres; thus, their worth is already known to the club...tests of courage and ritual baptisms are therefore unnecessary.
In December 1990 an advertisement was placed in a Melbourne newspaper seeking those Vietnam Veterans who were also motorcycle riders and who would be interested in starting a motorcycle club. A meeting of ex-serving Vietnam Veterans met at the Broadford Hotel in Victoria and proposed the formation of a Club called the VVMCC. At the beginning of 1991 a seperate group of men met at Pakenham on the southern outskirts of Melbourne with the same goal in mind. These two groups merged soon after to form the Victorian Chapter of the VVMCC. Chapters formed in other states and by 1992, the Club had replaced the VVRAMCC with VVMCC and could almost call itself a national organisation.
The initial attraction for all members was a love of motorcycles, although the club was never intended to be an organisation that only catered for bikers. From the start, building a legitimate ex-service organisation which catered for the welfare of its members was an important part of its agenda. The vision of a cohesive group of Vietnam Veterans who rode motorcycles and who were willing to work together for a common good was a driving force. The clubs style was crucial... abandoning the conservative image of the Vietnam Veterans Riders Association, set the club apart from the mainstream motorcycling community.
A Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Dedication Ceremony was held on Saturday 03 October 1992. Brigadier Colin Kahn D.S.O delivered the address. He spoke of the days importance and highlighted that the Welcome Home March was a 'significant step in the healing of the wounds of war' . The ceremony included a march up ANZAC Parade by Veterans, with the VVMC bringing up the rear of the parade on their bikes. Prior to the Vietnam Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Canberra, the VVMC was an organisation without unity. On Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 October 1992, all states agreed to form a National Council.
In 1995 the VVMC members rode from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin and geographical points in-between to commemorate Vietnam Veterans in Canberra at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial. The gathering was called the 'Rolling Thunder Memorial Run'. Approximately 250 bikes and pillions rode through Canberra, passing Parliament House, snaking their way towards the memorial. Master of Ceremonies were members of the VVMC, with the ashes of 'Gunny' from the Perth Chapter scattered in the waters of the memorial, finishing off with God Squad member 'Kojak' reciting words of thanks and remembrance.
There has been 4 patch iterations of the clubs colours:
1. 1978-1989 VVRAMCC (shield front pocket patch)
2. 1989-1992 VVRAMCC (circular one piece back patch)
3. 1992-2000 Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club (VVMC - three piece back patch), and
4. 2000 Veterans MC (VMC - three piece back patch) Note. Dates and timings from one piece back patch to three piece patch and from VVMC to VMC from state to state varied in accordance with dominate MCs approval.
The first Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle clubhouse was established in 1990 at Factory 3/ 8 Bray Street, Hastings, Melbourne, Victoria.
The first major public event organised by the club in Victoria was a tattoo show held at Pakenham in May 1991. Described in OZ Bike Magazine as the 'founding piss up of the Vietnam Veterans MCC'. It was a raucous affair, in keeping with the style of similar events held by other MC Clubs.
Western Australia (WA) Vietnam Veterans attended the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial Ceremony conducted by Australian Politician Ben Humphries on Friday 06 September 1991 and on returning to WA formed a VVMC Charter. On Friday 10 July 1992 the inaugural meeting of the WA VVMC Club occurred in Perth WA. In 1995 the club obtained a premises in Lord Street East Perth. In 1997 the club made it mandatory that all members rode Harley Davidson Motorcycles. It took three years for WA VVMC to be approved by the dominate MC to wear 'Casper' and the three piece patch, with official approval granted in 1996.
Initially the club had a 'no rules' policy, with one man known as a 'contact bloke', whose main job was to maintain contact with members, although he had no executive powers. This arrangement was abandoned in 1993 when the Chapters became incorporated and a more conventional structure was adopted with Presidents and Office bearers. Each Chapter of the VVMC was committed to the same basic goals, but there were differences between each Chapter that were determined by local constraints and conditions.
Establishing a position within the complex world of the one percent biker was not easy and it did not happen overnight. New clubs cannot simply claim a place within the closed ranks of this fraternity; rights of passage need to be negotiated and etiquette carefully observed.
The Queensland Chapter was officially formed on Saturday 18 August 1990 in ANZAC Square Brisbane. The first clubhouse of the Queensland Chapter was on Logan Road, Woolloongabba. The second clubhouse was at Juliette Street in Stones Corner. In December 1995 the Queensland Chapter took the lease over from the God Squad on Persse Road, Runcorn. In 2002 the club purchased 10 acres of land in Kingston and on Tuesday the 02 April 2002 relocated to the 'Bunker'.
In April 1992 the Vietnam Veterans South Australian Chapter was formed. In 2010 the South Australian Chapter proposed a name change to Veterans MC. On Saturday 20 July 2013 the South Australian Chapter was renamed Veterans MC.
During the autumn of 1992 the Tasmanian Chapter of the VVMC was formed in Launceston. On Sunday 16 October 2016 the VVMC approved Veterans into the club. Note: As the Tasmanian Chapter only had Vietnam Veterans in its Chapter, the club remained a VVMC until Veterans sought membership in 2016.
The Northern Territory was the last to form a Chapter in early 1993.
During the onset of the VVMC there was one Chapter per State (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT & TAS). A proposal was submitted by the Queensland Chapter to the other Chapter Presidents seeking approval to expand and create another Club within QLD, due to the distance its members had to travel. This was the first expansion of a VVMC within its own State.
In 1991 members of the Queensland Chapter marched in cut-offs, having initial opposition from the organisers due to their dress and bearing. Later that year they rode their bikes in the Long Tan Day march. In 1994 members of the Western Australian Chapter of the VVMC rode in the Perth ANZAC Day march, riding near the start of the procession and on ANZAC Day 1995, the Victorian Chapter of the VVMC rode their bikes in the annual memorial march through the centre of Melbourne to the Shrine of Remembrance, previously supporting marches in Hastings, Albury and Ramsey.
In 1996 the NSW Chapter of the VVMC in conjunction with Vets Connect circumnavigated the Australian mainland to 'connect' with Veterans. 100 Veterans departed Sydney on Wednesday 01 May 1996, travelling through Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane, finishing at Prince Alfred Park, Sydney. The Veterans completed a total riding distance of 14000km between the months of May-June, totalling six weeks.
In the funeral run scene from the movie Stone, 400 bikes showed up to support the filming. It is estimated that all motorcycle riders in Sydney attended this event, including the outlaw motorcycle clubs. The funeral scene is recognised as an event of great significance in Australian biker history, as it represents the moment when 'all clubs' came together for the first time in Australia. Note: the initial filming of the Memorial Run was held on Saturday 08 December 1973. The 20th Memorial Run was held on the Saturday 11th December 1993 and the 25th Anniversary Run was held on Saturday 12th December 1998; thus, all proceeding Memorial Runs post initial run have been conducted on the 2nd Saturday in December.
At 09.30am Saturday 11th December 1993 a 20th Memorial Stone Run was held by the VVMC NSW Chapter and the Kawasaki Z Owners of Victoria. The run commenced at Lane Cove Road, North Ride, facing Epping Highway, took three hours to complete, with the 'pack of bikes' stretching twenty six kilometres. The VVMC intent for this event was to confer licensing of 'Casper' to the VVMC and as stated by the NSW VVMC Road Captain at the time, 'end any or all involvement associated with or inferred that this Club, the Vietnam Veterans is in anyway fictional or a bunch of actors'; however, differences arose between Sandy and the VVMC at the last minute and the handover didn't occur as intended. Organisers approximated 5000 bikes would attend but numbers exceeded 12,000. Note: Sandy did not want to just celebrate Stone but the ideology of 'Take the Trip'. The coming together of all motorcycle riders, clubs and what it means to be part of biker culture.
The National Organisational Committee consisted of Sandy Harbutt (Stone), Trevor Thomas (freelance journalist), Boris Mihailovich, Bob Skol and Laurie Keats (OZ Bikes), Mike Esdaile from Federal Publishing (Two Wheels, Street Bike, Live to Ride and Revs Motorcycle News Magazine), Vince Tesseriro (Forcefield Marketing), Hush (VVMC), Lindsay Roberts and Dean Mighell (Kawasaki Z Owners Club). The event was conducted in two parts - VVMC managing the Stone Memorial Run up the Newcastle Expressway, Z Owners managing the alcohol, merchandise, gate fees, security, with a promoter organising the entertainment. Note: Express, Redneck Mothers, Kevin Borich, Idols, Vaseline Machine Gun and Head Hunters were part of the entertainment, with the girls from X-Ray Tracy performing three shows. The live entertainment commenced at 1400 Saturday, concluding 0400 Sunday.
Those that pre-paid for the event got a memorial patch and 6 alcoholic cans per entry. Profits for the event: 5% Legacy with the remainder divided between the VVMC NSW Chapter and the Kawasaki Z Owners, Victoria. Any profits from the sale of t-shirts in each state remained in the state of sale for the VVMC.
The three piece patch 'Casper' started to be worn by VVMC members from 1992; however, this varied from state to state, as approval had to be sought and given by the dominate MC's e.g. NSW were wearing their three piece patch in 1992; however, WA commenced wearing their three piece patch from 1996. Note: Sandy states 'he first became aware of the use of 'Casper' by the VVMC in late 1992'.
Note: The most important event in the clubs events calendar are the 'Stone Runs', which are compulsory for all members and are held periodically. The name Stone was first used in the clubs first run in 1990, which had a 1960's biker theme and featured the Rolling Stones music and the showing of the 1974 movie Stone.
Stone 25th Anniversary Run, BMW R1200C, 1998.
'Septic' Dewey Hungerford, 'Captain Midnight' Bindi Williams, 'Undertaker' Sandy Harbutt, 'Hooks' Roger Ward,
'Stone' Kevin Shorter, Remco Van Rede, 'Zonk' John Ifkovitch and 'Ferret' Peter King. 'Bad Mad' Jim Walsh and 'Toad' Hugh Keays-Bryne attended; however, are absent from photo.
Note: BMW's were collected at Procycles Hornsby.
'Septic' Dewey Hungerford, 'Captain Midnight' Bindi Williams, 'Undertaker' Sandy Harbutt, 'Hooks' Roger Ward,
'Stone' Kevin Shorter, Remco Van Rede, 'Zonk' John Ifkovitch and 'Ferret' Peter King. 'Bad Mad' Jim Walsh and 'Toad' Hugh Keays-Bryne attended; however, are absent from photo.
Note: BMW's were collected at Procycles Hornsby.
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Bob Levi's Wedge Road Racing Outfit. Note: Vince Tesorero from Willoughby District Motorcycle Club recruited a large portion of the riders for this scene & rode the coffin side car with Bruce McPherson as 'Go Down'. This was Vince's only appearance in the movie.
Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, NSW - Stone 20th Memorial Run, 1993.
Note: Organisers were astonished by the response and a few logistical problems arose. One of them involving the coffin that was scheduled to lead the run... it was held up in a traffic jam which was caused by the unbelievable number of motorbikes gathering in Lane Cove Road. A three lane road was cut into one slow moving lane as bikes manoeuvred to park and wait. When it became apparent that the coffin was not going to arrive on time, the run was started, minus the lead bike. The 'Undertaker' was the only Grave Digger to attended the Stone 20th Memorial Run and chose to return to Sydney after crossing the Hawkesbury River Road Bridge.
Note: Organisers were astonished by the response and a few logistical problems arose. One of them involving the coffin that was scheduled to lead the run... it was held up in a traffic jam which was caused by the unbelievable number of motorbikes gathering in Lane Cove Road. A three lane road was cut into one slow moving lane as bikes manoeuvred to park and wait. When it became apparent that the coffin was not going to arrive on time, the run was started, minus the lead bike. The 'Undertaker' was the only Grave Digger to attended the Stone 20th Memorial Run and chose to return to Sydney after crossing the Hawkesbury River Road Bridge.
Z Owners President at the time stated 'this run was like ANZAC Day for bikers. We all rode remembering our mates and to celebrate motorcycling. There is obvious a place in the motorcycling community for an event where bikes from all sections of motorcycling can come together and celebrate the very thing we share; riding bikes, Stone was such an event'.
In 1992 Sandy was approached by the NSW members of the VVMC seeking approval to use the Grave Diggers centre piece from the movie Stone, commonly known as 'Casper' (Skull and Slouch Hat). In 1997 Sandy officially and legally licensed Vietnam Veterans Australia MC to wear the Skull and Diggers Hat symbol (identical to the emblem worn by the Grave Diggers MC Sydney in Stone) together with the words Vietnam Veterans MC. The licence establishes that the VVMC have full legal and moral rights to the colours. He stated that 'approval for its use was done out of respect and admiration for the Vietnam Veterans, believing that the VVMC deserved to wear the Skull and Digger Hat symbol by reason of their service and that he had designed the symbol for a group of alienated ex-servicemen... Grave Diggers MC'.
On Saturday 12th December 1998, the licensing of 'Casper' to VVMC aligned with the 1998 Stone 25th Anniversary Run, where 30,000 motorcyclists gathered in Sydney to mark the anniversary of the film and recreate the funeral ride, departing from the old toll gates at Berowra on the outskirts of Sydney, up the coast road to Burleigh Ranch, Raymond Terrace. The VVMC accepted the invitation by Sandy to lead the 25th Anniversary Ride, directly behind the Grave Diggers, who wore the original colours in honour of the event.
Note: On one hand there was the tragic motorcycle road accident and on the other hand it was the largest biker event in Australian history. A member of the Maitland Gladiators MC was killed when 50 motorcycles crashed during the commemorative ride on the F3 motorway... at the cobbs road overpass near Tuggerah, north of Sydney. One member of the ride died and thirteen riders were injured including Angry Anderson, who sustained a broken arm, neck injuries, broken finger, bruised spine and concussion. Angry Anderson who is the lead singer of Rose Tattoo and patron to the VVMC NSW Chapter stated 'there were just bikes and bodies everywhere... I was in the second wave that crashed and went over... there were bikes and bodies flying through the air, it all happened so quickly, there were so many bikes, I saw everything in slow motion, I have been having flashes of it all day... we got hit in the front wheel by a flying bike, I went straight over the top of the bike, then one or two bikes went over me, the next thing I remember I was laying on the side of the road'. Anderson who was pillion stated' he always wore full leathers and a helmet and was grateful for the protection, as he remembers coming down hard on his head and shoulders'.
Police stated that 'a motorcycle and a small red car coming onto the freeway from an entrance ramp collided, triggering a huge pile-up that brought 50 riders crashing down'. Entertainer Normie Rowe said 'some of the riders were travelling too fast when a car, a Daihatsu Charade entered the motorway'. The Stone Run ended for many riders at the accident, with dozens injured and riders getting 'thumped' by outlaws enraged over the loss of their brother. The freeway was closed in both direction for 5 hours, causing a 4km back-up of traffic and long delays as space was cleared for the two rescue helicopters to land at the scene. NRMA Careflight crewman stated that 'there were smashed bikes all over the road and injured riders sprawled between them... it was an absolute mess'. Sandy summed it up the best after listening to 'Alice' from the Gladiators MC speaking on stage on the loss of fellow Gladiator 'Herm' earlier in the day. 'I guess it covers every emotion, mutual bliss, to complete loss, to complete failure, the feelings of having killed somebody... the culture dictates that tragedy must be overcome through the celebration of life'.
Sandy Harbutt and David Hannay contacted SBS with details of the Stone 25th Anniversary Run and the potential for a documentary to be framed around the movie. The idea didn't initially win favour with SBS, but with support from Margaret Pomeranz and Spectrum Films behind the project with post production facilities, approval was granted... it was known around SBS as 'that bikie doco'. The 'Stone Feeling' made this documentary possible. What was lacking in budget was made up through goodwill generated by a film supported by a motorcycle community. Companies supplied everything from stock footage, to music rights, to camping gear at low rates... because it was Stone.
In 1990 the NSW members of the VVMC approached the dominant Outlaw Motorcycle Chapter (OMC) and sought assistance to submit a proposal to commence a Vietnam Veterans - Three Piece Patch Motorcycle Club to the Outlaw Motorcycle Council. The President of the dominant OMC took the VVMC request to the Outlaw Motorcycle Council (a co-op of the five senior 1% Clubs) to start the VVMC as a three piece back patch club. Approval was given by the Outlaw Motorcycle Council after negotiations spanning a total of three years. Approval was given on the following conditions:
1. The VVMC were not permitted to use the same colours as the Grave Diggers MC (red, white and blue)
2. The initial VVMC Club colours were to be black and tan (NSW Chapter during initial request had its colours as black and gold, and amended their colours to black and tan to avoid any confusion about their identity within the biker community; thus, the NSW Chapter of the VMC is the only Chapter to have its colours, black and tan, while the rest of the NSW Chapters are black and gold)
3. The VVMC were not to use the 1% diamond on their cut-off
4. The VVMC was to have a sunset clause; thus, in the agreement, when the last VVMC member died so did the VVMC colours, and
5. Only those who had been deployed into active service in Vietnam were permitted to wear the VVMC cut and back patch.
The first NSW Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Clubhouse was located in Saint Mary's Sydney, NSW. As the NSW Club expanded, it relocated in 2000 to Murrurundi, Upper Hunter Shire, NSW. Due to the travel requirements of members and the growth of the NSW club (estimated 150 members at that time), approval was given to form other Chapters:
1. Sydney
2. Canberra
3. Northern Rivers.
At the official opening of the Vietnam Veterans clubhouse at Pearlbrook, a 320 acre property at Murrurundi, a memorial service to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day on Friday 18 August 2000 was held. The first ceremony was the offical opening of the clubhouse, with the second service being the National Vietnam Veterans Day. The opening of the clubhouse commenced with a welcome note from the VVMC, followed by a scripture reading by Chaplain Dornan. The Chaplain and the raising of the flags by the VVMC followed the address and unveiling of the Memorial Stone by Deputy Mayor Shauna Biffin with the dedication of the memorial and facilities. During the evening, patrons were entertained with live music from Johnny Green and the Cowboys and solo artist Brian, with Road Kill Cafe providing the catering. Note: Sandy 'Undertaker' Harbutt and John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch were present at the opening of Murrurundi to publicly advocate support for the VVMC.
VMC Chapters created from the Sydney Chapter (estimated 96 members at the time):
1. South Coast
2. Central Coast
3. Bathurst.
Note: South Coast and Central Coast were formed when Sydney Chapter was at Menai, with Bathurst Chapter formed when Sydney Chapter was at Picton. The Sydney Chapter is currently situated at Rossmore, NSW. Sydney Chapter celebrated its 10 year anniversary on Tuesday 13 September 2011.
Goulburn Chapter was formed from the members of the Federal Chapter.
In 1998 a realization based on the Vietnam Veterans premise suggested the Club would have a limited life span as an MC. Sandy 'Undertaker' and John 'Zonk' were approached by members of the WA Chapter to seek introduction to the dominant MC for consort and support to rebrand the VVMC to the VMC, gaining approval from the dominant MC, the proposal was then raised for discussion during the 2000 NAGM in NSW... all VVMC Presidents agreed to the proposed changes. This prompted the VVMC to approach the United Motorcycle Outlaw Council (UMOC) and seek approval to have younger Veterans accepted into the Club. Initial request was for the VVMC to have two patches: VVMC and VMC. VVMC submitted two proposals to the UMOC; however, were told 'one patch, one club'... so VVMC took it to a vote, to stay the VVMC or become the VMC. Talks were carried out amongst the VVMC State Chapters, and it was agreed at a Federal level that all the VVMC Chapters would become the VMC, providing opportunity for all Returned Veterans to join the Club and thus ensuring longevity of the organisation.
In October 2000, Western Australia was the first VVMC to seize the opportunity to expand into the VMC; however, when other State Presidents returned to their respective Chapters, they were unable to influence collective agreement or total compliance from club members. Discontent, resentment and rejection to re-brand the VVMC to the VMC fractured various Clubs, causing a small number of Vietnam Veterans to retire, leave the organisation, or reference the clause 'that when the last Vietnam Veteran dies, the patch dies', insinuating they will die with their patch; thus, a small number of Chapters were approved to amalgamate the two patches into one Chapter (VVMC & VMC); however, most Vietnam Veterans believed that the VVMC should not include modern Veterans, with suggestions proposed that the modern Veteran should create their own club; thus, initial rejection of modern Veterans defined a monumental moment in the creation and existence of other Military Clubs.
At the 2013 NAGM in Townsville NSW Chapter Presidents finally agreed 4-1 to rebrand the VVMC into the VMC. Note: NSW, Federal, Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast agreed to rebrand the VVMC into the VMC; however, Sydney Chapter rejected the proposal. (Townsville Chapter was disbanded Thursday 08 August 2024).
On Monday 02 September 2013, the Sydney Chapter of the VVMC unanimously agreed to become a VMC in NSW.
Full patched members of the VMC Sydney Chapter living in the Shoalhaven sought approval in 2013 to form a new Club called the VMC South Coast Chapter through the VMC Sydney Chapter Committee. On Saturday 25 October 2014 the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Clubs National Council approved membership to form a new VMC in the Shoalhaven called 'South Coast'. On Tuesday 18 November 2014 the Veterans MC South Coast Chapter was recognised through Fair Trading. The VMC South Coast Chapter is located in Nowra NSW and is a Not-For-Profit Organisation through Fair Trading NSW.
On Monday 21 November 2022, Sandy Harbutt passed away at Wollongong Hospital at the age of 79. John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch stated online that 'My life long friend Sandy Harbutt, the Undertaker, passed away peacefully last night at Wollongong Hospital'. Sandy's relatives and friends were invited to attend Sandy’s funeral service at Parsons Funeral Home, Bulli on Saturday 05 December 2020 at 2pm. In attendance at the memorial was his ex wife Helen, his long term partner Elizabeth, Ken 'Stone' Shorter, John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch, Margaret 'Jay' Ure, 'Loaf' from Live to Ride Magazine, family, friends and members of the Veterans Motorcycle Club and Bikers Australia. Days before the funeral was to take place at the Pinegrove Memorial Park Cemetery, Minchinbury, the service was cancelled on the grounds that the procession would be lead by motorcycles. The service was rescheduled at the Parsons Funeral Home in Wollongong when the funeral directors co-ordinating the memorial provided there Chapel as the alternative. Kenn Duke from the God Squad was the celebrant, with words spoken by Helen, Liz and John. Over 150 bikes attended the funeral, with Sandy's coffin placed onto a motorcycle hearse supplied by King of the Road. Sandy's last ride snaked through Wollongong to Stanwell Tops and along the coast road into Bulli. Leading the procession were the road captains, followed by Sandy's hearse, Zonk, Zonk's son, members of Sandy's family, Veterans MC, God Squad MC, with others following behind. Sandy will remain a revered figure in the Australian film industry.
Note: This page could not have been compiled without the support of the those members of the VVMC, VMC and Cast Member of Stone - Zonk 'Take the Trip'.
On Saturday 12th December 1998, the licensing of 'Casper' to VVMC aligned with the 1998 Stone 25th Anniversary Run, where 30,000 motorcyclists gathered in Sydney to mark the anniversary of the film and recreate the funeral ride, departing from the old toll gates at Berowra on the outskirts of Sydney, up the coast road to Burleigh Ranch, Raymond Terrace. The VVMC accepted the invitation by Sandy to lead the 25th Anniversary Ride, directly behind the Grave Diggers, who wore the original colours in honour of the event.
Note: On one hand there was the tragic motorcycle road accident and on the other hand it was the largest biker event in Australian history. A member of the Maitland Gladiators MC was killed when 50 motorcycles crashed during the commemorative ride on the F3 motorway... at the cobbs road overpass near Tuggerah, north of Sydney. One member of the ride died and thirteen riders were injured including Angry Anderson, who sustained a broken arm, neck injuries, broken finger, bruised spine and concussion. Angry Anderson who is the lead singer of Rose Tattoo and patron to the VVMC NSW Chapter stated 'there were just bikes and bodies everywhere... I was in the second wave that crashed and went over... there were bikes and bodies flying through the air, it all happened so quickly, there were so many bikes, I saw everything in slow motion, I have been having flashes of it all day... we got hit in the front wheel by a flying bike, I went straight over the top of the bike, then one or two bikes went over me, the next thing I remember I was laying on the side of the road'. Anderson who was pillion stated' he always wore full leathers and a helmet and was grateful for the protection, as he remembers coming down hard on his head and shoulders'.
Police stated that 'a motorcycle and a small red car coming onto the freeway from an entrance ramp collided, triggering a huge pile-up that brought 50 riders crashing down'. Entertainer Normie Rowe said 'some of the riders were travelling too fast when a car, a Daihatsu Charade entered the motorway'. The Stone Run ended for many riders at the accident, with dozens injured and riders getting 'thumped' by outlaws enraged over the loss of their brother. The freeway was closed in both direction for 5 hours, causing a 4km back-up of traffic and long delays as space was cleared for the two rescue helicopters to land at the scene. NRMA Careflight crewman stated that 'there were smashed bikes all over the road and injured riders sprawled between them... it was an absolute mess'. Sandy summed it up the best after listening to 'Alice' from the Gladiators MC speaking on stage on the loss of fellow Gladiator 'Herm' earlier in the day. 'I guess it covers every emotion, mutual bliss, to complete loss, to complete failure, the feelings of having killed somebody... the culture dictates that tragedy must be overcome through the celebration of life'.
Sandy Harbutt and David Hannay contacted SBS with details of the Stone 25th Anniversary Run and the potential for a documentary to be framed around the movie. The idea didn't initially win favour with SBS, but with support from Margaret Pomeranz and Spectrum Films behind the project with post production facilities, approval was granted... it was known around SBS as 'that bikie doco'. The 'Stone Feeling' made this documentary possible. What was lacking in budget was made up through goodwill generated by a film supported by a motorcycle community. Companies supplied everything from stock footage, to music rights, to camping gear at low rates... because it was Stone.
In 1990 the NSW members of the VVMC approached the dominant Outlaw Motorcycle Chapter (OMC) and sought assistance to submit a proposal to commence a Vietnam Veterans - Three Piece Patch Motorcycle Club to the Outlaw Motorcycle Council. The President of the dominant OMC took the VVMC request to the Outlaw Motorcycle Council (a co-op of the five senior 1% Clubs) to start the VVMC as a three piece back patch club. Approval was given by the Outlaw Motorcycle Council after negotiations spanning a total of three years. Approval was given on the following conditions:
1. The VVMC were not permitted to use the same colours as the Grave Diggers MC (red, white and blue)
2. The initial VVMC Club colours were to be black and tan (NSW Chapter during initial request had its colours as black and gold, and amended their colours to black and tan to avoid any confusion about their identity within the biker community; thus, the NSW Chapter of the VMC is the only Chapter to have its colours, black and tan, while the rest of the NSW Chapters are black and gold)
3. The VVMC were not to use the 1% diamond on their cut-off
4. The VVMC was to have a sunset clause; thus, in the agreement, when the last VVMC member died so did the VVMC colours, and
5. Only those who had been deployed into active service in Vietnam were permitted to wear the VVMC cut and back patch.
The first NSW Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Clubhouse was located in Saint Mary's Sydney, NSW. As the NSW Club expanded, it relocated in 2000 to Murrurundi, Upper Hunter Shire, NSW. Due to the travel requirements of members and the growth of the NSW club (estimated 150 members at that time), approval was given to form other Chapters:
1. Sydney
2. Canberra
3. Northern Rivers.
At the official opening of the Vietnam Veterans clubhouse at Pearlbrook, a 320 acre property at Murrurundi, a memorial service to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day on Friday 18 August 2000 was held. The first ceremony was the offical opening of the clubhouse, with the second service being the National Vietnam Veterans Day. The opening of the clubhouse commenced with a welcome note from the VVMC, followed by a scripture reading by Chaplain Dornan. The Chaplain and the raising of the flags by the VVMC followed the address and unveiling of the Memorial Stone by Deputy Mayor Shauna Biffin with the dedication of the memorial and facilities. During the evening, patrons were entertained with live music from Johnny Green and the Cowboys and solo artist Brian, with Road Kill Cafe providing the catering. Note: Sandy 'Undertaker' Harbutt and John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch were present at the opening of Murrurundi to publicly advocate support for the VVMC.
VMC Chapters created from the Sydney Chapter (estimated 96 members at the time):
1. South Coast
2. Central Coast
3. Bathurst.
Note: South Coast and Central Coast were formed when Sydney Chapter was at Menai, with Bathurst Chapter formed when Sydney Chapter was at Picton. The Sydney Chapter is currently situated at Rossmore, NSW. Sydney Chapter celebrated its 10 year anniversary on Tuesday 13 September 2011.
Goulburn Chapter was formed from the members of the Federal Chapter.
In 1998 a realization based on the Vietnam Veterans premise suggested the Club would have a limited life span as an MC. Sandy 'Undertaker' and John 'Zonk' were approached by members of the WA Chapter to seek introduction to the dominant MC for consort and support to rebrand the VVMC to the VMC, gaining approval from the dominant MC, the proposal was then raised for discussion during the 2000 NAGM in NSW... all VVMC Presidents agreed to the proposed changes. This prompted the VVMC to approach the United Motorcycle Outlaw Council (UMOC) and seek approval to have younger Veterans accepted into the Club. Initial request was for the VVMC to have two patches: VVMC and VMC. VVMC submitted two proposals to the UMOC; however, were told 'one patch, one club'... so VVMC took it to a vote, to stay the VVMC or become the VMC. Talks were carried out amongst the VVMC State Chapters, and it was agreed at a Federal level that all the VVMC Chapters would become the VMC, providing opportunity for all Returned Veterans to join the Club and thus ensuring longevity of the organisation.
In October 2000, Western Australia was the first VVMC to seize the opportunity to expand into the VMC; however, when other State Presidents returned to their respective Chapters, they were unable to influence collective agreement or total compliance from club members. Discontent, resentment and rejection to re-brand the VVMC to the VMC fractured various Clubs, causing a small number of Vietnam Veterans to retire, leave the organisation, or reference the clause 'that when the last Vietnam Veteran dies, the patch dies', insinuating they will die with their patch; thus, a small number of Chapters were approved to amalgamate the two patches into one Chapter (VVMC & VMC); however, most Vietnam Veterans believed that the VVMC should not include modern Veterans, with suggestions proposed that the modern Veteran should create their own club; thus, initial rejection of modern Veterans defined a monumental moment in the creation and existence of other Military Clubs.
At the 2013 NAGM in Townsville NSW Chapter Presidents finally agreed 4-1 to rebrand the VVMC into the VMC. Note: NSW, Federal, Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast agreed to rebrand the VVMC into the VMC; however, Sydney Chapter rejected the proposal. (Townsville Chapter was disbanded Thursday 08 August 2024).
On Monday 02 September 2013, the Sydney Chapter of the VVMC unanimously agreed to become a VMC in NSW.
Full patched members of the VMC Sydney Chapter living in the Shoalhaven sought approval in 2013 to form a new Club called the VMC South Coast Chapter through the VMC Sydney Chapter Committee. On Saturday 25 October 2014 the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Clubs National Council approved membership to form a new VMC in the Shoalhaven called 'South Coast'. On Tuesday 18 November 2014 the Veterans MC South Coast Chapter was recognised through Fair Trading. The VMC South Coast Chapter is located in Nowra NSW and is a Not-For-Profit Organisation through Fair Trading NSW.
On Monday 21 November 2022, Sandy Harbutt passed away at Wollongong Hospital at the age of 79. John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch stated online that 'My life long friend Sandy Harbutt, the Undertaker, passed away peacefully last night at Wollongong Hospital'. Sandy's relatives and friends were invited to attend Sandy’s funeral service at Parsons Funeral Home, Bulli on Saturday 05 December 2020 at 2pm. In attendance at the memorial was his ex wife Helen, his long term partner Elizabeth, Ken 'Stone' Shorter, John 'Zonk' Ifkovitch, Margaret 'Jay' Ure, 'Loaf' from Live to Ride Magazine, family, friends and members of the Veterans Motorcycle Club and Bikers Australia. Days before the funeral was to take place at the Pinegrove Memorial Park Cemetery, Minchinbury, the service was cancelled on the grounds that the procession would be lead by motorcycles. The service was rescheduled at the Parsons Funeral Home in Wollongong when the funeral directors co-ordinating the memorial provided there Chapel as the alternative. Kenn Duke from the God Squad was the celebrant, with words spoken by Helen, Liz and John. Over 150 bikes attended the funeral, with Sandy's coffin placed onto a motorcycle hearse supplied by King of the Road. Sandy's last ride snaked through Wollongong to Stanwell Tops and along the coast road into Bulli. Leading the procession were the road captains, followed by Sandy's hearse, Zonk, Zonk's son, members of Sandy's family, Veterans MC, God Squad MC, with others following behind. Sandy will remain a revered figure in the Australian film industry.
Note: This page could not have been compiled without the support of the those members of the VVMC, VMC and Cast Member of Stone - Zonk 'Take the Trip'.
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