The Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club is one of the oldest continuously operating bicycle clubs in Australia. Existing club minute books begin from 1914.
Many members of our club, including The Valley Wheelers, have a keen interest in uncovering and preserving the history of DHBC.
DHBC committee, 3rd of April 1908
Marc Rerceretnam
The Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club is one of the oldest continuously operating bicycle clubs in Australia. Existing club minute books begin from 1914.
The DHBC was formed in 1908 after some members from the then Marrickville Bicycle Club (now defunct) broke away. Its inaugural meeting was held on the 8th April 1908 at the Dulwich Hill Masonic Hall with a subscription of five shillings from each of the approximately 20 foundation members (Heathcote, p5). After the meeting the group held their first ride, a very social all day ride to Gymea Bay (Sunday Times, 22.3.1908, p10).
DHBC 6 seater tandem
Marc Rerceretnam
There appears to be a bit of a history behind the 6-person tandem.
According to Sonia Heathcoate's 1988 book 'Dulwich Hill Cycling Days 1908-1988', the tandem was found by Jack Gleason lying at the AWA premises (near Parramatta Rd, Ashfield?) ready to 'be thrown on the scrap heap'. It was originally branded as a 'Koala, Bradly Bros'. It had no fittings or fork. I assume this would have been in the late 1950s.
