A new major event has been added to Armidale’s calendar for next year: the 2025 Ulysses Club National Rally.
Planning for the event has begun in earnest, with club members from five states travelled to meet at Armidale Bowls Club last weekend, to form an organising committee for the event. The rally will be hosted at Armidale Showgrounds, from the 24th to the 30th March 2025.
The Ulysses Club is a social club for people aged 40 years or older, with a passion for motorcycles and motorcycling. Australia-wide the Ulysses Club currently boasts nearly 10,000 members, with branches in every state or territory, as well as affiliate clubs located in New Zealand, the UK, several European countries and Asia. In the New England there are branches in Armidale, Inverell and Tamworth, and riding groups in Glen Innes and Gunnedah.
The National Rally is an annual event, and is expected to attract up to 1000 Ulysses Club members from across Australia and overseas. Many are expected to stay in our area longer.
Armidale Ulyssian, Clayton Gilmour said that planning for the event was already well advanced, with Showgrounds Committee member, June Dangar conducting a guided tour of the grounds for visiting committee members last weekend.
“This has enabled us to map out a campground and pinpoint potential uses for various buildings and facilities at the Showgrounds”, Mr. Gilmour said.
Highlights of the week of festivities include a Meet and Greet/Show and Shine in the Beardy Street Mall on the Thursday night, and a dinner at the Armidale Services Club on the Saturday night with a bushranger theme.
Previous Ulysses Club rallies have proven that many hundreds of thousands of dollars are injected into the local economy, as visiting members seek accommodation, meals, services and entertainment while they are in the area.
Local businesses throughout the New England region are encouraged to contact the event Deputy Director, Clayton Gilmour at claygilmour13@gmail.com or 0419 448 182 to discuss their ideas for inclusion at the major event.
More information about the club and the Rally can be found on their website.
Something going on in your part of the region you think people should know about? Send us a news tip or email newsdesk@netimes.com.au.