THE Rev Father Geoffrey McIlroy will be swapping his priestly vestments for motorbike leathers when he joins an estimated 2000 fellow riders converging on Canberra in September. McIlroy plans to join the annual Wall-to-Wall Ride for Remembrance to honour fallen colleagues, raise money for police legacies and promote safe and lawful motorcycling.
A priest at St Macartan’s Catholic Church, Mornington, McIlroy is also chaplain to police stations from Mornington to Sorrento. “I feel privileged in both roles – to serve the parishioners as their shepherd and to serve the police who serve us, as their multi-denominational padre,” McIlroy said.
A motorbike rider since he was 17 – “I even rode it to high school” – McIlroy, 61, rides a 2015 Harley-Davidson 1700cc FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, a far cry from the Kawasaki Z200 of his school days. Other bikes that have been ridden by the priest include a Korean Hyosung and a 2000 model Harley Dyna 1350cc.
Intending to “keep riding until I can’t”, McIlroy said the September ride provided him with a rare chance “to show my appreciation to the men and women of our police force”. “I jumped at this opportunity to help raise money for Police Legacy, the group that helps support the police members’ families during and after any incidences or occasions where more support is needed,” McIlroy said. “I also offer support to the acting and non-acting members and their families in whatever compassionate and spiritual way I can.”
The Victorian leg of the Wall-to-Wall ride leaves from the Victoria Police memorial in St Kilda Road, Melbourne on Friday 13 September. The riders first stop will be Sale, followed by Lakes Entrance, Cann River, Eden and then stopping overnight at Merimbula. The next morning (Saturday 14 September) they will pass through Bega before turning away from the coast and heading to Cooma and on to Canberra where they will join motorcyclists from other capital cities and be escorted by police to the National Police Memorial in King’s Park, on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin.
“I am proud to serve those people who serve us — that is, the women and men of our police force,” McIlroy said.
“The Wall-to-Wall Ride of Remembrance is one way I have of helping raise funds for associated organisations connected to the police force.
“As well as showing my personal support by riding with them, I think we all owe a great deal of gratitude to our police force and their support of agencies such as the Police Legacy Family and other worthwhile groups.”
Donations to sponsor Geoffrey McIlroy’s participation in the ride cab made at: 2024 Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance | Fr Geoff Police Chaplain (gofundraise.com.au)
First published in the Mornington News – 23 July 2024
