Andrew (Kiwi) McGillivray
Joe’s Diner at Eagle farm, Brisbane, is fast becoming a go-to place for monthly motorcycle and car events. Owners Steve and Cherie Karagiannis have created a wonderful atmosphere on the weekends when the industrial estate that they ‘feed and water’ during the working week is deserted.
The large concrete areas surrounding the adjacent factories and the Diner are ideal for parking up the treasures of car and motorcycle enthusiasts. The event on the 18th February, combining both cars and bikes, was a fundraiser to support Cathy McGillivray who tragically lost her husband Andrew (aka Kiwi) just before Christmas 2021. Kiwi and Cathy were noted enthusiasts and supporters of many previous events and, in appreciation, the motoring community rallied to support Cathy in a time of need. The announcement of this event activated an avalanche of donations from associated businesses to create a complimentary monster raffle. This was to be the first event where trophies were to be awarded for cars and bikes and all for a $5 parking fee. All money raised on the day was generously passed on to Cathy. There were six bike trophies with Lee Negus from Morgan and Wacker Brisbane judging the winners. There were also seven trophies for the cars.
A highlight was Cathy’s tribute to Kiwi which included his El Camino Ute, his Harley, helmet and flanno, a portrait of Kiwi and his very distinctive psychedelic pullover. The display bikes, not surprisingly, were dominated by heavy duty cruise bikes and American machines. Regardless of your motorcycle preferences, you have to acknowledge these cruise bike fanatics for their passion and dedication in riding and displaying some of the cleanest, shiniest machines around. I rode my 1954 MV Agusta 175CSS which was dwarfed by the ‘Box 39’ custom V-Rod I parked beside, with close neighbour Paul Contarini on his immaculate early ‘90s Suzuki RGV250. We were joined by a few other old classics – a café racer modified Honda Four, a (like new) Kawasaki Z1 900, a 1988 Ducati 750
Sport and in the Harley camp I noted an immaculate chopped 1946 ‘Knuckle Head’. The whole show was live streamed with Cristian Cross on the microphone and Nico Cassimatis of Malaka Media live-streaming video. They did a walk around, interviewing owners and sponsors and finishing with the raffle draw and the trophy presentation.
I would say the display vehicles were in the hundreds and the quality outstanding. While the before mentioned V-Rod won the ‘Best Harley’
I am happy to say that the 1988 Ducati got the
‘Best Sport Bike’ and I was surprised to be presented with the ‘Best Old School’ trophy. Thanks must be extended to the wonderful local motoring community, the many raffle sponsors and countless other individuals who put this show together for such a good cause.