Derek's Story 

Derek is a valued member of the HMCSC, having been an active member of the club for many years. Involved in everything from track prep, officiating, trophy making, admin, racing, attendance at meetings, and interclub affairs.

On Sunday the 30th of June 2019, local farmer, husband, father, son, brother, mate, volunteer and passionate motorcycle rider Derek Lewington had a tragic accident resulting in a serious spinal cord injury that would rock an entire community and family like nobody could have expected. Derek and Skye, his wife, now found themselves 600km from their kids, home, family and friends. 

Derek is a devoted father of 3 young kids who idolise him, he adores his wife and has a loving extended family and is everybody’s mate. As a fourth-generation farmer, Derek is meticulous about the holistic management of their broadacre and livestock property which is evidenced by his commitment to controlled traffic and no-till farming practices. His passion for farming is matched by his adventurous nature and love of travelling whether it’s the Victorian High Country or the Simpson Desert. Always the first one to put his hand up or offer support, the first one to get there and the last one to leave.

When it was finally time for Derek to return to his home, he was instructed that he would need to be transported via Air Ambulance. However - patient transport via air ambulance is not the priority of emergency services. It was now, that Derek's relationship with the Australian charity "Angel Flight" began.  Established in April 2003, Angel Flight Australia is a charity that coordinates non-emergency flights to assist country people to access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of vast distance and high travel costs. All flights are free and assist passengers travelling to or from medical facilities almost anywhere in Australia. Angel Flight volunteer pilots are not medically trained and do not carry aero-medical staff or medical equipment so do not act as an alternative to the Royal Flying Doctor Service or Air Ambulance. Angel Flight is self-funded by donations from the public. 

The Holbrook Motorcycle Sports Club decided to do our little bit to support Derek and his family. It was then, that the tradition of the annual wood-cutting day, and the "Derek Ride" was born. Originally, HMCSC Ran the "Derek Ride" to assist in immediate financial assistance for the family and support adjustments needed to allow Derek to live comfortably in their home upon his return from the hospital, in true Derek fashion - once he had all he needed to get by, Derek requested that all proceeds be donated to the Wagga Cancer Care Centre.

Each March, the HMCSC do a wood drive, to provide free, firewood to Derek, Skye and their children with the help of some very dedicated, kind members. Usually, the wood is collected from long-time members Murray and Debbie Jones' farm, and delivered to the Lewington family farm. Each year - the annual wood-cutting drive has grown bigger - in 2025 we saw a massive effort in collecting and delivering 9 large ute/trailer loads (enough for approx 1.5 years of supply).

This ride and wood-cutting day has now been running since 2019.