Thousands are expected to attend the funeral next week of Greg Hirst, a longtime motorcycle advocate, charity worker and host of the Temporary Australians TV show.
The service and wake will be held at the Penrith Panthers Leagues Club on Monday, June 19, 2017, from 11am to 4pm, hosted by his beloved Brotherhood Christian Motorcycle Club.
A Funeral Processional Ride to escort the hearse will leave from Andrew Campbell Reserve, William Lawson Dr, Eastern Creek, hosted by the Brotherhood CMC.
All riders are welcome to join the ride, gathering at 9.30am for a 10am departure, riding in staggered formation on the M4 at 80km/h.
Greg’s wife Colleen says her home is now filled with flowers and chocolates, which she has received with much gratitude.
Rather than bringing a gift or flowers, please consider donate to the Street Level Supporters and until the end of July those donations will be distributed to causes and charities close to Greg’s heart.
Hirsty’s books will also be available at the wake for a suggested donation of $20 each.
Greg passed away last Tuesday (June 6, 2017) from complications after surgery.
The eulogy will be given by a number of people: Julie Owens MP, Brendan Jones, members of BHCMC, and family – each focusing on a different aspect.
Here is his official eulogy provided by the BHCMC:
Greg Hirst (Hirsty)
2/12/1952 – 6/6/2017
Greg was a husband, a father, a motorcyclist, and a man of God.
His love for his family and his dedication and love for the motorcycling community were driven by his unwavering belief in a God who sees value and worth in every human being.
He was happily married to Colleen for 37 years. They had six children (one now deceased).
Greg and ColleenHe was a founding member of Brotherhood CMC. He rode with this club for 40 years.
He was a founding member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association of Australia, which began in 1979.
He was the driving force behind establishing the Australian Conferences of Christian Motorcycling Clubs – the inaugural conference being held in 2006.
He organised the Silverwater Motor Festival, which hosted Brotherhood’s annual Street and Custom Motorcycle Show.
He established the Bathurst Bike show, which has run for seven years.
He was an avid journalist, writing columns for several newspapers and magazines including the Daily Telegraph (Motorcycle World), Parramatta Advertiser, Live to Ride and Revs. He also wrote two books – My Motorcycling Life (Parts I & II).
Greg hosted a motorcycle radio program in the ’90s called Ride-On Alive on 90.5 FM.
In 2008 he began working on his television series, Temporary Australians. This in now in its fifth series and airs on 7Mate.
Greg has been involved in work with homelessness for 40 years. He established Parramatta Street Youth Project and was most recently supporting the street work of Parramatta Mission. He has been involved in organising Homeless Person’s week events in Parramatta for many years, including the Blanket Run (organised in partnership with Bikers Australia). Greg has organised rock concerts to raise money for the homeless with support from bands such as Midnight Oil.
He was a political activist and lobbyist, who worked tirelessly to secure better and safer conditions for bikers. He was an active member of the NSW Motorcycle Council for many years, serving as press secretary and Chairman. He was an active member of Bikers Australia joining in the early ’80s when it was then known as Bikers Ltd.
He was a key figure in organising numerous Protest Rides and Celebration Rides including the Celebration of Australian Motorcycling in 1996 and the Celebration Rides of 2001 and 2006.
He presented at several international conferences on bikers rights and solidarity including the Federation of Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) in Europe and the Confederation of Clubs in the USA. He was actively involved in the United Motorcycle Council (UMC) of NSW.
He became a marriage celebrant in the 1990s and has married dozens of biker couples.
He was a Christian biker who was equally at ease with politicians, media personalities, the rich and famous and the homeless. He would visit jails and churches. He conducted weddings and funerals, including for his own children.
Above all, Greg was a genuine and honest man who made time for everyone he met. He tried to live in a way that honoured Christ, without imposing his beliefs and morals on anyone.
