OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: firko on June 16, 2009, 02:19:50 pm
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It was a thrill for many of us old blokes to see Aussie motocross legend, multi Australian Champion Matt Daley on board Husky Petes '69 400 at CD6.
Back in the late sixties Matt was practically unbeatable and had the status as the Steve Gall or Chad Reed of his era. Matt retired from racing in his early twenties to pursue a career in the USA and since his return to Australia has refused all invitations to return to the track via the vintage movement. Until CD6 that is!
As he lives locally, Matt and his wife June decided to drop in on CD6 for a bit of a look around and it wasn't long before he saw Husky Petes beautiful '67 and '69 Huskys, both identical to the bikes he won titles on. It didn't take much convincing to arrange some riding gear and a clearance from the organisers to get Matt out onto the track on Peters '69 400. Despite being a little rusty on old bikes, it wasn't long before he settled into the groove and the unmistakably smooth style reappeared. I spoke to Matt after the ride and he was stoked and vowed to put some time into restoring the championship Husky that he'd kept tucked away all those years. He was extremely impressed with the enthusiastic vibe and quality of the machinery at Conondale and was genuinely surprised that anybody even remembered him!
Below are some shots of the master in action at CD6 and a shot of he and his precious '67 Husky Viking after pulling it out of nearly forty years of hibernation. Expect to see it fully restored at CD7.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/daley%205.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/daley.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/Matts%20Husky%20Restoration%20006.jpg)
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Firko,
That is great to see and it's also great that Matt was inspired by the event to want to have a crack and also be keen to come to the next CD,Lets hope we can dig out a few more of these guys that were there in the early days of this sport the history of Scrambles/Motocross riders and there bikes in Australia needs to be remembered and preserved,great stuff.
#8
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Quote from Husky 67
I just returned from riding my 69 Husky 360 in the first riding session and there was a guy and his wife looking at my 67 360 Viking, we got chatting away and i asked what his name was, the answer was Matt Daley. He and his lovely wife June arrived for a look at 10.30, I dont know how they knew about CD 6, i think it was a spur of the moment decision for both of them to attend CD 6.
I asked him if he would like to take part in the Legends display laps, he said he didnt have any riding gear or bike and wasn't all that keen on making a fuss. I raced over to the VMX tent and spoke to Ken, AJ and Jeff they could not have been more helpfull in arranging for Matt to be included in the Legends session. I offered him my bike, shirt, boots, Ken lent him his helment, and Tim (maicopunk) lent him the riding pants, so with a little organisation we had him kitted out ready to ride. It was by no means planned and the VMX guys handled it perfectly.
This I believe is the main attraction to go to a Classic Dirt in 2010 ;friendship,supply of vmx gear and saying g'day to anyone-no matter what status you hold,and all with the same interest at heart. :-*
cheers
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That is great to see and it's also great that Matt was inspired by the event to want to have a crack and also be keen to come to the next CD,Lets hope we can dig out a few more of these guys that were there in the early days of this sport the history of Scrambles/Motocross riders and there bikes in Australia needs to be remembered and preserved,great stuff.
There were a bunch more old legends at CD6 than Matt Daley. Vern Grayson spent a lot of time with us on Sunday and vowed to have his Cheney there next year. Brian Clarkson, the one and only Alron works rider, Aussie MX champ and Sunrasia desert rally winner couldn't make it this year but will be in the Kevlar Kompound next year and riding an Alron being built specifically for him. Per Klitland will return next year, he was disapointed he missed this years event but a sick wife took precedent.
Over the history of CD a shitload of old champions have appeared ranging from Brad Lackey on down but you have to remember that these blokes are regular guys with regular lives these days so it's often hard to get them to attend an event that's a long way from their home and interest zone. No matter how important it is to us that we see our old heroes, to many of them motocross is not a prority in their lives any more and they've moved on to other things.
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Any chance that resto will become a story in VMX? ;)
If not, it should be. ;D
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It was great to finally met Matt Daley in person, it was the highlight of CD 6 for me, and to have Matt ride my bike ;). I have been in contact with him since and he is keen to restore his '67 250, just depends on his work commitments. I will be helping him with contacts for any parts he requires, both he and his lovely wife June a down to earth people, and Matt is a champion rider. It would be great for Firko or the VMX guys to do a interview with Matt and June as they both have some great stories to tell. Firko has the actual letter that June wrote to Eddison Dye in the late 60's to plead his case to ride it the US.
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I reckon we are just about due for a double feature hit of Blokes and Sheds section by
VMX mag too ;) ;D
cheers
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Geez you guys are good…
Not content in telling us where CD7 will be held, now you are telling us what to put in the mag. Next you will be telling Ken what to wear. Where will it end?
VMX42
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Geez you guys are good…
Not content in telling us where CD7 will be held, now you are telling us what to put in the mag. Next you will be telling Ken what to wear. Where will it end?
VMX42
This is the place for feedback and we gotta keep ya brain active-Dementia deterant. ;) ;D :-*
cheers
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I'd personally like to see Ken in a little black party frock ::).
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Old Clarko...the mad bastard!!!!!!
I still have memories of walking out of Roys showroom to his workshop to see my mates and getting an absolute spray off him. He would sit on a crate working on some piece of shit ( to a 16 yr old anyway ) chucking back a heap of coldies with his cronies. Anyone that dare walk past would get the same treatment.
Firko...you remember his little shop in Station St...next to Easty`s.
Great bloke...would be good to see him again
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Next you will be telling Ken what to wear.
Funny you should mention that. I saw this little number and immediately thought of Ken. Maybe you would like to point it out to him. Help with a fitting maybe ;D.
(http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn458/mx250syd/image002-2.jpg)
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In the 35 years i've been riding or attending motocross meetings in Qld, that was the first time i'd ever seen Matt Daley and it was a pleasure after all i'd heard about him over the years. It's great that he enjoyed it enough to get out on the track and he still looks fit and in great shape. It was also good to see Mark Pace back in action again.
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Ted...I well remember the little shop opposite the Red Cow in Penrith. If things were quiet he'd sit in the public bar sinking schooners watching the shop across the road. As soon as a customer would turn up he'd zoom accross the road and deal with them. His regulars knew to go directly to the pub to find him. We had a surprise 50th birthday party for Jonesy on Saturday night and an even bigger surprise to Jonesy was to find Clarko there. He'd come down from Coffs Harbour just for the party which was a big effort considering his poor health these days. Naturally he had his patented Clarkson Coffee (a coffee mug containing 50%home brewed scotch diluted in 50%flat coke) perpetually in his hand. The grog hasn't done him any favours over the years but he was stoked to see the Alron Alans building. He promised to try and get into some sort of shape for next years CD to do some laps on the bike. We made a big deal over him and it was cool to see the old hard man soften up and almost shed a tear over Al naming the bike "Clarko" in his honour.
Clarko is one of the last of the hard drinking tough old motocross guys from the sixties. Only Clarko, Vern Grayson and one or two others are around to tell the tales. Clarko might have been a hard liver but the bastard could ride. He won an Aussie 250 title, numerous state titles, the Nepean 6 hour race and the Sunrasia desert rally. He was one of the first blokes to race vintage back in '88 and still has his Matchy Metisse and Roy Easts fantastic 'works' Metisse.
Clarko has more stories in him than a hundred books so I guess I should start recording them before they're lost forever as he's not too well these days. Brian Clarkson is indeed a great bloke and a legend.
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Sorry to hear he`s not travelling too well.........wish him all the best from the young pricks that used to haunt Roy`s back in the early 70`s
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Did anyone on this forum see Matt ride in his heyday.
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Yeah I did...and actually raced at a couple of the same meetings back in 69-70. He was quick, bloody quick.
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Somehow I thought you would be one of the only ones to reply Firko. I can rembember seeing him at a couple of Short Circuit meetings around the same time. Your right he was fast and pretty to watch.
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Yes,
It was at The Maryborough 3 hour Dirt track back in the day Matt was riding with Greg Hansford when he made a one off return to Dirt bikes around 1980 If I remember correctly they were riding am imported KDX400 for Brisk sales I believe,
#8
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Somehow I thought you would be one of the only ones to reply Firko
Only because I'm probably the oldest here. :-\ I remember him pitting across from me at Moorbank in late '69. He was on a CZ from memory. I later recall him in the same race as me at Nepean short circuit but think he was on a Husky then.
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Yeah when I saw Matt riding at Amaroo Park and Nepean he was on a Husky. Probably early seventies. And speaking of guys on MXers mixing it up with sliders around the same time Firko do you remember Ken Bushnell on the Whirlwind Sales yellow 350 Maico and any idea where he is and whats he up to now.
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Col...No idea on Ken Bushnells wherabouts but think I own his Maico. It's in pieces ready for a resto one day. The top end and I think the forks are on my own 350 Maico right now. Did he have a brother who also raced Maicos? I also have one of Condoblins Cary L'Estranges 350 Maico engines which I bought in an Antig slider which I later sold on. I think Cary won a 350 Aussie title with that bike. Ironically, I'm about to buy another Antig slider to fit the motor back into for next years Bonanza and some dirt track skids ;D.
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Firko, not sure if Ken had a brother or not but if he did dont think I ever saw him ride.
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I saw both Matt & Ken ride ( short circuit only ) and they were both real quick.
My father sponsored several of Aussie Champs in the 60's & 70's and he had a very high opinion of Matt in particular.
He still looks fit and it's good to see him back on a bike.
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Good to hear from you Curly. Can you give us an idea who your old man sponsored and what era are we talking. What state are you in. Geographically speaking that is.
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Pretty much NSW and the Bankstown Wiley Park club.
Ray & Geoff Curtis and Bill Macdonald.
Dad had a shop in Bankstown until 1976. Norm Askew.
My brother Carl rode Short Circuit until 1974 and then had 6 years in England riding Speedway.
Steve.
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Steve I had a bit to do with Carl a thousand years ago. How is he. The last time I saw him was probably twenty years ago. Tell him Col Moody says howdy next time your talking to him. I remember your old mans shop and those guys he sponsored.
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Hey Firko , have you lent on Matt lately about getting into the classic scene? its been years since I've spoken to him and I would be pleased for one to see him around the traps. A Quietly spoken gentleman who was all action and no bull****. cheers pancho.
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Husky Pete's in better contact with him than me Pancho, but we'll try and get him to CD8...he lives just up the road. He had a spurt on Pete's Husky at CD6 but I very much doubt he'll ever come back racing again. We're working on bringing Graeme Smythe over from WA as well as KK member Per Klitland, Brian Clarkson and Vern Grayson as our own little Klub Kevlar 'legends corner'. Matt'll fit into that crew pretty well I reckon. You're right about hime being a nice, quiet gentleman.
Here he is with Husky Pete's ill fitting riding gear at CD6.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/daley.jpg)
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(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/HuskyRacer/CD6-0696.jpg?t=1293343133)
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/HuskyRacer/CD6-0702.jpg?t=1293343197)
Matt has attended both CD6 and 7. He rode my 69 360 Husky at CD 6 in the Legends Laps, and turned up at 7 for a couple of hours to catch up with Laurie and a few others as he was travelling overseas the next day. I will contact Matt and see if he can make it.
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OLD GUNS UNDER THE RADAR
While Laps of Legends repeats at each CD (with essentially the same old names), I'd like to pose this question.
Is there some way ... any way ... for the average punters to know what other old legends are there?
An example is Matt Daley. This post illustrates quite well the fact that he was there; that he didn't think he
was of interest; and that it was only by chance he was outed.
Another example (this time Broadford HBBB 2010) was Rod Hunter just wandering around at Broadford.
I would have LOVED to meet him down there. I didn't know at time he was there - and only found out the next day, after he had gone.
And I don't know what he looks like anyway.
Other examples: Vern Grayson; the car racer from 1970s, etc etc
In cases like the above, this year we may have old guns possibly turn up at Classic Dirt - and average punters may not even know
A/ That they are there and having a look around CD8
B/ What they even look like.
I personally would much rather sit on a haybale talking quietly to a few old legends, rather than watching the
"pretty much same" list of established riders doing broadcast interviews and laps. (Sorry!) I recognise Legends
Laps is essential, but I want to cut deeper into the crowd of whoever may be out there.
To try and summarise my ramble, I am asking if there is any way we can get some sort of database of all old heroes ... and
some way we can catch up with them, if we don't know what they look like 30 years later with helmets off?
I'm not demanding answers... just floating an issue.
Maybe a central contacts NOTICE BOARD near Sign-up?
(The notice board could also serve as a whole-of-event contact point for anyone searching for any other person/part/club/memory etc)
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just floating an issue.
Some of us can age gracefully- others dont ;) ;D
1:Not an easy one to get old riders/legend to put there names up on the board if they dont think they are a legend/old gun.
2:A knowledgable signon person needs to be available to coilate/invite the list when signon is open.Avalablity :P
3:Some returned legends/old guns may not be riding.
4:Public notice board is a good idea,if they are willing to be exposed ;D
5:Name badges ?
cheers
Quote:The notice board could also serve as a whole-of-event contact point for anyone searching for any other person/part/club/memory etc)
Have seen this before at Caravan Parks for the mail. 8)
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Did anyone on this forum see Matt ride in his heyday.
Yeah, I saw him race at Christmas Hills, I was at that meeting in c grade, I've also seen him race at Beaconsfield, Pakenham, Sunbury, Wallan, all those tracks are gone now.
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:Not an easy one to get old riders/legend to put there names up on the board if they dont think they are a legend/old gun.
That's so true...When we dragged Per Klitland to CD4 he was having a great time just mingling with the punters, checking out the bikes and having the occasional chat with those who recognised him. When Smithy and Billy Forsyth were taking group photos of the 'legends' he was standing back with me watching the group of old greats line up until I told him that he needed to get over to the photo shoot. He protested that he was never a legend and that nobody remembered him any more and it took a lot of convincing and Anthony Gunter and Hans Apelgren to drag the reluctant old champ into the photo shoot.
When I'd attempted to introduce him to Craig Dack earlier in the day Per also held back, stating that Craig wouldn't know who he was. I had to bring Dacka to Per and it was amazing seeing the look on the old Danes face change as Dacka rattled off Pers Mr Motocross exploits like the fan that he had been as a kid. In the end they swapped yarns for over half an hour before we moved on to finish the photo shoot. Before he left, Dacka searched out Per to say farewell and tell him how great it was to have finally met him. ......He's a very quiet and humble man our Per ;)
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Sent Matt an email today to let him know that CD 8 is on in June.
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/HuskyRacer/_DSC3460Low-1.jpg?t=1293591294)
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/HuskyRacer/YZ8OCD6019-1.jpg?t=1293591422)
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Reply from Matt,
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the info, we will try and make it this year. Thanks for thinking of us and Happy New Year to you.
Regards,
Matt & June
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has anybody got photos of mat at the aust titles in about 1967 at mt kembla near woollongong?
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A couple of pics of Matt, also a Yamaha getting a fair workout :o
(http://i51.tinypic.com/o6mdsm.jpg)
(http://i56.tinypic.com/5lqo80.jpg)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/10qa1jt.jpg)
(http://i56.tinypic.com/2v2bipf.jpg)
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2z898ja.jpg)
(http://i55.tinypic.com/8ydchy.jpg)
Matt Daley and Jim scaysbrook
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Don Newell is still riding the same bike, I think.
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don is riding the same bike with the original ;D
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As a regular rider at Moorebank, I first met Matt there not long after he arrived from Q'land, probably about '64..I had seen him ride so impressively and was on the 'phone to my dad who lived at Buderim and was a mate of Dudley Wiles. Dudley 'discovered' Matt apparently and put him on a very fast Beeza Bantam as the story goes and the rest as they say is history.
I noticed in an earlier post Steve mentioned Ray Curtis. I first saw Ray ride at Oran park road racing a Bonneville with dirt style bars .Spectacular! What we used to call "A guts man!!!
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Did anyone on this forum see Matt ride in his heyday.
[yes at ipswitch in 1970 aust titles/quote]
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Don Newell is still riding the same bike, I think.
Don is still riding his original '74 Bully's but probably still has that one pictured.
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Hey Pancho, Ray rode my dad's Goldie at Oran Park with the dirt track bars still fitted and was awesome, sliding into corners certainly made for some different lines by the others.
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Sadly Alison it's long gone, sold on many years ago along with too many other classics to remember.
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been a bit of a flurry on New South Welshman Matt Daley on Facebook the last few days, so adding some more important MX history 8)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/1967_zpsuztt1no8.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/1967_zpsuztt1no8.jpg.html)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/1969_zps4sjgrnqz.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/1969_zps4sjgrnqz.jpg.html)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/Tivoli%20park%201070_zpszhpd0wm2.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/Tivoli%20park%201070_zpszhpd0wm2.jpg.html)
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Thanks to Firko, Scott, Robert and Calvin for photos.
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/946763_483405891843790_5850263836098307729_n%202_zpsgmcoizk4.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/946763_483405891843790_5850263836098307729_n%202_zpsgmcoizk4.jpg.html)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/12469369_10153834953113633_8458028755027190182_o%202_zpstj92ukeo.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/12469369_10153834953113633_8458028755027190182_o%202_zpstj92ukeo.jpg.html)
Winning 250
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/12469850_10207723301542832_862183172_o%202_zpsohe1x5y2.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/12469850_10207723301542832_862183172_o%202_zpsohe1x5y2.jpg.html)
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who owns this Husky, it looks like the bike I imported from the USA couple of years ago, sold it to a fellow in South Australia. just would like to know if it is the same bike, as mine was a 67 model bolt up frame.
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who owns this Husky, it looks like the bike I imported from the USA couple of years ago, sold it to a fellow in South Australia. just would like to know if it is the same bike, as mine was a 67 model bolt up frame.
Dont believe its the same bike Dave...its like Gallys old Yammie etc
.its been sourced within Australia and rebuillt by one of the oldschool riders.
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That Husky is owned by Mat Daley and it was the bike he won the Oz title on in 1967 or 68. Also at the top of the page he was called a "New South Welshman". Mat is a Queenslander and always has been. Bike is finished now but probably won't be ridden other around Mat's yard.
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When he sent a letter to Edison Dye in 1970 to enquire about a ride in the Inter-Am he wrote from Keiraville, Wollongong, NSW 2500.
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When he sent a letter to Edison Dye in 1970 to enquire about a ride in the Inter-Am he wrote from Keiraville, Wollongong, NSW 2500.
Next time I see him I will ask but he was born in QLD and still lives on the old family property in Capalaba Qld. He could have been staying in NSW for a short time to race.
He was also California State Champion for at least 1 or 2 years while he lived in USA in the early 70's as a sponsored rider but that doesn't make him an American.
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That Husky is definitely Matts original race bike that he won the 1967 250 Aussie title on. A friend of mine took that pic