At the recently held Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 25th at the Bankstown Sports Club, Motorcycling NSW confirmed the nominations of Garry Thomas and Chris Baker as the eleventh and twelfth Life Members of Motorcycling NSW respectively. They join an illustrious list of Life Members that includes Mrs Christine Tickner, Mr Ron Kivovitch, Mrs Jan Blizzard, Mr Keith Davies, Mr Syd Jackson, Mr Dave Mills, Mr Len Main, Mr Robert McGlinchy, Mr David Elliot and Mr Kevin McDonald.
A member of the North Coast Road Racers Club, Garry Thomas was nominated by club and race secretary Narelle Rankin. From being a rider, sidecar passenger to an official across many verticals and disciplines, Garry has been passionately involved in the sport for an extensive period of time. He has been a mentor to many officials, also having served as a venue inspector in the northern part of NSW, covering an astounding 20 venues. A Life Member of North Coast Road Racers, Garry was also on the Motorcycling Australia Road Race Commission. His illustrious career was recognised on many occasions, most recently as the 2018 MNSW Volunteer of the Year. Garry also served as Director on the MNSW Board back in 2011.
Garry was elated upon receiving Life Membership, stating, “The news came as a shock – I never saw it coming. Looking back, however, I’m proud of all the work I’ve done for motorcycling over the years, especially considering how the region I am based in does not have too many people from our sport. I am grateful to have gotten to know so many people, especially some who are already MNSW Life Members who have helped me in my journey.”
Nominated by St George Motorcycle Club President Michael Rooke, Chris has been hugely involved in motorcycling for close to seven decades, with his father serving as President of the St George Motorcycle Club back in the 1950s. Having been a member of the club since 1970, Chris first took to road racing a year later, eventually also turning to Enduro and Motocross in the coming years. A few among the many riding laurels Chris notched up include his achievements at the Australian Trials in 1976 as well as Australian Motocross Championship two years later. He also served as President of St George Motorcycle Club for eleven years, also being awarded Life Membership in 1985. Continuing to passionately serve the sport as an official at many State, National and International events, MNSW honoured him with the Distinguished Services Award last year at the 2022 MNSW Awards.
Sharing his pride and excitement about his MNSW Life Membership, Chris said, “When I started out in the sport all thanks to my parents’ involvement in it, I didn’t expect any such honour. I am truly humbled to receive Life Membership to Motorcycling NSW.”