RON (RONNIE) KEED

On behalf of the Indian Harley Vintage Club, we convey our heartfelt condolences to Lyn, Ben, and Family.

Mick Johnson was asked: Give us a few words to describe Ron (without thinking too hard - what would they be)? Mick’s reply was: A MAN OF PRINCIPLE, SOUND VALUES, TALENTED AND A DAMN GOOD MATE - AND ONE OF A KIND.

Some members were asked what was your experience hanging with Ron on a ride or rally? They replied:

Sunday morning with Macca on ABC radio while cooking up breakfast.

We all lived in fear that we might mess up Lyn and Ron’s Nowra house. Greasy and oiled soiled bikers in a house that has cream carpets and spotless interiors – it was a challenge. But we did it for you Ron.

At some overnight rallies Ron sang from the heart like he was on stage, sometimes accompanying himself with his harmonica. His knowledge of music and the song lyrics were outstanding.

The Keg BBQ during the cook ups of beef. (Neville Siding Rally & many times at Nowra)

Ron was a True Mate in every sense of Australian mateship.

Ron never rode past you if you were on the side of the road broken down (even if you were a club member on an Indian)

Those in the company of Ron during controversial or difficult situations will remember “that look”, the “starring look”, then looking down to the ground and walking away rather than responding or lashing out.

Ron was talented rider, bike enthusiast, skilled mechanic, meticulous restorer, master spray painter, designer, artist, and he’s also painted numerous club member’s bikes at mates’ rates, he would not have it any other way. Ron also designed our club logo.

If he wasn’t on a run or a rally, we knew he was putting his priorities first, that is Lyn, Ben, and Family.

Ron was a loved and respected Club member.

We acknowledge Ron’s contribution to the club, and his presence at club meetings and rallies will be greatly missed.

We are sure if Ron was here, he’d most likely say:

I’m no longer in pain,

It’s been a pleasure knowing you all, and thanks for coming today,

It’s been a wonderful life and I lived it to the fullest I could,

Aside from Lyn, Ben and Family, my biker family has meant a lot to me, we have travelled many miles (Kms) together in all kinds of weather and situations – thank you all.

I can’t be here with you all today, but please share some fond memories of our experiences together, that way I live on.

VIC MABERLEY

Vic Maberley, aside from being a family man and hard worker all his life, was a gentleman, elder statesman, champion, custodian and well respected guardian of the Indian Marquee. He was generous, a good listener and a good mate. Vic enjoyed a nice cup of tea, a sweet biscuit which was always good bait for a yarn or two, or three or four.

Vic was a country lad, born in 1931 at Tooraweenah (between Gilgandra and Coonabarabran) during the depression years and the family did it tough during those years. He spent much time trapping rabbits with his father,

their main staple source of food during those years. Before and after school he built shearing sheds, cropping and digging wells with his father and grandfather until the age of 16 before leaving for the big smoke, Sydney as his father enlisted in the army as the war broke out. Whilst in Sydney after a few jobs he joined the Citizen Air force and became a jet mechanic and also began studying diesel mechanics.

On a trip back home to Tooraweenah he met the love of his life Wilma at a local dance. Wilma (we think) got a glimpse of what she was in for as they rode back to Sydney on his motorcycle in torrential rain which kept breaking down.

During the 1970s, Vic was sick of struggling and was working 3 jobs to make ends meet, all mechanic jobs, and his hobby was Vintage Indians, he could not get enough of mechanical things however he got perplexed when he could not make TV remote control work.

I first met Vic back in the early 1970s when trying to find bits and pieces for my Indian Chief outfit. Vic was there to lend a hand and happiest when he could be of help.

He loved his Indians and most of people who owned them, loved his garage sales, and was always on the hunt for old motorcycle parts, he had it bad or good, whatever way you look at it. He always opened up his shed for club Christmas parties, club rides for "drop-in" morning teas or lunches. Vic was an active member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club of Australia (NSW) and was a long term machine examiner, the Indian Harley Vintage Club and the Indian Motorcycle Club of Australia and awarded life memberships in recognition of his dedication to the Indian Brand.

It was obvious to me back in the 70s he knew his Indian stuff and was obsessed with his hobby and lived for the Indian brand even going so far to have the Indian logo signs affixed on the sides of all his many work vans.

Long time friend and fellow shed dweller Mick Atkins remembers Vic since the late 1960s, with philosophical conversations like "Mick - when you're out in the forest, try putting your arms around a large tree, put your ear up to it, and you will hear water running through it,

( I guess Vic was an original tree hugger) and another one was, Mick he said - when I was a kid helping my dad on the farm, when I was down a 100 foot shaft during the daylight - guess what, when I looked up I could see the stars even though it was daylight. Mick told me he has not validated either yet, but those two Vic sessions on 'the meaning of life' stood out.

We take this occasion to pass on our condolences to the Maberley family, and we from the vintage motorcycle fraternity will surely miss Vic, his guidance will be felt for many years to come.

"Good Innings Vic and Well Done".

Garth