When four chapters unite

The success of a one-off four-chapter ride has sparked calls for it to become an annual WA event. We spoke to Carmen Starmer (Swan River Chapter’s director) to find out what happened

For those of us who are incurable romantics, Valentine’s Day this year fell rather conveniently on a weekend – 14–15 February. However, the annual celebration of love and romance became a whole lot bigger for the Western Australian H.O.G.^™ community. Instead of flowers and fine dining, 82 members across four chapters chose the open road, warm summer air and the unmistakable rumble of 65 Harley-Davidson^® motorcycles heading south for what would become a landmark weekend.

Riders from Swan River, Perth, Bunbury and Albany South Coast Chapters all answered the call, turning the inaugural “Four Chapters Unite 4 a Night” ride into a powerful show of boundary-breaking camaraderie.

Under sunny skies and warmer-than-expected conditions, each chapter departed from its home base. Swan River rolled out from Rockingham Harley-Davidson, Perth from Harley Heaven, Bunbury from Bunbury Harley-Davidson and Albany South Coast from Albany Harley-Davidson. Separate starting points, but one shared purpose – to come together for a weekend of riding and connection.

For the Swan River Chapter, the first regroup came at Pinjarra Bakery in Waroona, where some of the Bunbury members joined the gang for a pie and coffee. It was an easy, relaxed stop that set the tone for the day. “The weather was warmer than we expected, especially for a run down south,” said Swan River Chapter Director Carmen Starmer. “But it was a beautiful ride, the kind that reminds you why you bought a Harley^® in the first place.”

Taking the scenic route into Bunbury, the group made its way to the Highway Hotel for lunch, where the remainder of the Bunbury Chapter joined in. With numbers swelling and the sound of bikes filling the car park, the atmosphere quickly lifted another notch. Good food, great company and plenty of stories ensued as riders reconnected and new friendships began to form.

The next rendezvous point was Karridale, where members from Albany and Perth Chapters arrived to complete the four-chapter gathering. The scene was one of hugs, handshakes and animated conversations about bikes, recent rides and the unseasonably warm southern weather. “There were lots of hellos and introductions,” Carmen reflected. “You could really feel the excitement of having all four chapters together.”

It was here that Carlo Corneli, Swan River Membership Officer and organiser of the weekend, gathered the group together. With a few jokes thrown in for good measure, Carlo outlined the plan for the evening: dinner at six, a full group photo beforehand, and then a relaxed night celebrating what H.O.G. is all about. Carlo is understandably proud of what was achieved, saying, “From the feedback received from those who attended, one thing is certain: the ‘4 Chapters Unite 4 a Night’ event has been born and will now become a regular feature on the WA H.O.G. ride calendar. Watch this space!”

From Karridale, the combined contingent rode the final 15 kilometres into Augusta in their respective chapters. The sight and sound of dozens of Harley motorcycles rolling through was something special. Locals waved and cheered as the procession passed, the thunder of V-Twins echoing through town.

Accommodation at the Augusta Hotel/Motel proved to be a perfect fit, with staff going above and beyond to host the large group. They even opened the bar early to welcome the riders in true country style. As is tradition, a few pre-dinner “car park refreshments” got underway before members made their way to the function centre.

Then came a dramatic twist. The skies opened, unleashing heavy rain and an impressive lightning display. While it meant improvising the planned outdoor group photo, it didn’t dampen spirits. Instead, the group squeezed under the veranda and captured the moment anyway – a fitting reminder that the ability to think around a problem is part of any good ride.

The evening itself was a celebration in every sense. With all four chapter directors present – Carmen Starmer (Swan River), John Lysaught (Albany South Coast), Wayne Jackson (Bunbury) and William Wood (Perth) – the unity of the WA H.O.G. community was on full display.

“The best part of the weekend was that it was everything H.O.G. stands for – ride and have fun,” Carmen said. “We united as one, and it was just the best.”

As the drinks flowed and the stories grew taller, one sentiment kept surfacing around the room: this shouldn’t be a one-off. By the time the night wound down, the call to make “Four Chapters Unite 4 a Night” an annual event was gaining real momentum. What began as a Valentine’s weekend ride had become something more – a celebration of shared passion, enduring friendships and the simple joy of riding together. Four chapters. One community. And a weekend that many are already hoping to repeat.

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