Our club were proud to support the 2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic as part of March’s Phillip Island Classic Festival Of Motorsport by “buying” premier display spots and parade laps.

The 2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic is a 4,300 km journey from Darwin, traversing the spine of Australia, all the way down to Victor Harbor in South Australia riding vintage pre-1949 motorcycles for the 14-day voyage. With support crews, of course.

But it’s not just for fun (fun?), the event also raises funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. In 2025 the event raised over $94,000 to support Flying Doctor Wellbeing – a crucial service that offers mental health support to rural communities

So, why were we involved?

Well, our very good friend at Shannons Insurance, Belinda Douglas who helps us out in many ways, took part in the event and through the Shannons sponsorship of the Phillip Island event arranged the display and parade lap spots.

Here is her report on what must have been an exciting but gruelling trip.

Initially our (Team Shannons) goal was $3000. To date we have raised $3,189.00 this is a result of the direct support of Shannons and the VHRR Phillip Island event. I sincerely thank everyone for their generosity including the VHRR who donated $1000 as part of that.

The VHRR have supported our fundraising causes for a number of years now, in the past being Life Line Gippsland & this year the Royal Flying Doctors Service focussing on mental health.

I also as part of the event had to set up a fundraising link as participant #37, to date we have raised $1145, I’m extremely chuffed by the support given, the encouragement & enthusiasm by everyone who took the time & were able to contribute to our cause.

  The Total: $4334 ❤   This is awesome

Now a little bit about our journey.  I was riding a 1937 Triumph T70 250cc motorcycle I purchased off an amazing young man called Sir Ken Lucas OAM.  Sir Ken was very well known in the historic motorcycle racing scene racing under #37 Sir Ken wanted everyone to have a go & when I bought this bike off Sir Ken before COVID he made me promise that I would ride it & not just look at it!  Sir Ken road his last track at 90 years of age at Winton Historics & was at the time, the oldest motorcycle racer in the world, qualifying at the front & starting from the back was how Ken rolled ❤ .  Click the link to meet the legend that is, Sir Ken Lucas OAM 

It was a privilege to know him.

Sir Ken passed away in December 2024 at the age of 94, our adventure was in honour of Sir Ken Lucas OAM.

We travelled over 4300kms from Darwin to Victor Harbour, everyone was a little sceptical how on earth I thought I was going to ride a little 250cc all that way & finish.  Well we did and I am proud to say we WON, the 500cc & under category on Sir Kenny 37.

I thank everyone very much for their support & contribution to The RFDS.

Click on the link to the Shannons Club article about our event, I have uploaded some short ride videos & pictures.