The 15th edition of the Orbost Annual Poker Run had engines rumbling last Saturday, with more than 150 bikes making their way to Orbost.
After kicking off the ride at the McDonalds car park in Bairnsdale in perfect conditions, the contingent of riders and classic cars headed to Lindenow, before making their way to Meerlieu, Bruthen, Marlo via Cape Conran and wrapping up at the Orbost Club Hotel, where participants enjoyed live music, raffles and an auction to bolster the fundraising effort.
President of the poker run organising committee, Kevin Gouge, said the day ran well.
“From the feedback we received from the riders, everything went smoothly which was really good,” Kevin said.
“We had around 180 riders and 203 registrations. We also raised more than $32,000, which puts us over the $400,000 raised over the 15 years.
“The weather was perfect, luckily the sun didn’t come out.”
Orbost local, Ryley Eaton, was thrilled to choose the bike to go on next year’s poster.
“It made me happy because Steve was so happy because his bike has never been chosen, I chose it because it had a cool skull on it,” Ryley said.
Ryley’s parents, Bree and Jason Eaton, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House after Ryley was born in 2017, after it was discovered he had a rare birth defect Tracheo-Oesophageal
Fistula (TOF) and Oesophageal Atresia (OA) and a number of other conditions.
The poker run originated from Kim and Dave Hibberson, whose daughter, Mackenzie Grace, received care at Monash Hospital.
During her treatments, the Hibbersons found solace at Ronald McDonald House Monash (RMHM), inspiring them to give back.
Over the years, the event has earned recognition as
the East Gippsland Shire Community Event of the Year in 2015 and was nominated for the Community Event of the Year award at Orbost’s Australia Day awards this year.
