News

Mountains, motorbikes and men with a tin full of cash

By Brynne Timewell

Sep 2, 2026

The Skeeta group handing over their cheque to GV Hospice. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

There’s a particular kind of stupid that only a Honda CT110 Postie bike and beers can bring out of 40 grown men, their sons and a few brave grandkids.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Tackling the toughest tracks the Victorian high country can throw at you sounds like a joke, but for the Bulldog Charity it’s serious business.

Since 2013, the Skeeta Postie Bike Ride has been an annual weekend filled with mateship, mud and motorbikes, all in support of Goulburn Valley Hospice.

The event was born out of a shared love of motorbikes, mountains and a connection to the Bulldog Motorcycle Wreckers in Shepparton.

That shared connection from charity members has now raised over $80,000 for GV Hopsice, including $18,100 this year alone.

Paul Barlow has been a part of the Bulldog Charity for five years and has enjoyed setting off into the rugged mountain ranges with the crew for just as long.

“It’s just great mateship, everyone joining in, doing everything for a good cause. A great cause,” Mr Barlow said.

The annual pilgrimage into the Alpine National Park is a free event, though a donation of at least $100 is expected.

Before the ride, a good-natured online auction sees blokes bidding up items, purely to push fundraising efforts higher.

For Mr Barlow, the best part of the weekend is simple.

“Just getting all together and have a good time together,” he said.

“Seeing what we can raise, which seems to be better and better each year, which is good.”

Members of the Bulldog Charity who have had experiences with hospice care: Paul Barlow, Robert ’The King’ Palma, Haydan Fairless, Matt Goulding, Beryl Reynolds, River Barlow, 14, and Jaxon Goulding, 14. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

But behind the rough terrain, laughs and beers comes something much more personal: the cause.

One thing all men have in common is a connection in some way to hospice care, and that includes Mr Barlow.

His mother-in-law, who has terminal cancer, is currently being supported through GV Hospice.

“They’re just fantastic, a fantastic bunch of people,” Mr Barlow said.

“They understand what everyone’s going through and make it so much more comfortable for everyone.”

She’s been in hospice care for six months now, and through her own choice, didn’t want to know her time frame.

Robert Palma, or as he likes to call himself, ‘The King’, says that GV Hospice letting the crew come in means a lot.

“We appreciate that hospice let us come in for the photo and do what we do,” Mr Palma said.

“It’s such a good cause and so close to all of us.”

The weekend opens with a rundown of the rules, and closes with the group remembering every past rider who has passed away, which is the very reason the Skeeta stays alive.

Because underneath the dust, diesel and dad jokes, is a much larger message: blokes are actually willing to talk about health, grief and hospice care.