By Brendan Rees
Casey councillor Wayne Smith says he’s excited to be unveiled as the coveted flag bearer for this year’s Cranbourne GP Run.
“I think it’s a great event simply because of the number of people it brings, and the opportunity – the crowd loves it. I would never have thought it would get as big as it has,” Cr Smith said.
Well-known for his interest in the arts, Cr Smith said the GP Run was a “spectacle” as he prepares to wave off 7000-plus bikes, 15 metres off the ground in a cherry picker on Saturday 21 October.
He said crowds had grown every year to wave-off thousands of motorcyclists who gathered in High Street to travel en-masse to Phillip Island for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
“It’s a spectacle. There’s no doubt about it. Pretty amazing spectacle with the number of bikes and the number of people that come out to see the bikes,” he said.
“When they wave them off some years it’s taken nearly 25 to 30 minutes for them all to go through – that’s how busy it can get.”
The wave off also celebrates Cr Smith’s 20th year as a councillor and his involvement and passion for this event.
Cr Smith was elected to Cranbourne Council in 1993 and was Casey’s first mayor in 1997-’98.
“The GP Run started a year or two after that (being elected as mayor in 1997). I’ve never been mayor while the GP Run was on, so I’ve never had the opportunity to go up and wave the flag,” he said.
He said he couldn’t wait to be a part of the atmosphere where the roar of motorcycles and a sea of colour and chrome would fill the streets of Cranbourne.
“I’ve always supported it. Families and young kids are impressed by it. It’s one event that unfortunately when I was mayor it wasn’t being run. I took the opportunity this time of being able to go up and wave the flag.”
Asked if it is one of the big events of the year, he said: “It is. I’ve been involved in the Berwick Show – that’s always big. For an event that only goes for a couple of hours – it’s massive.”
He said in previous years the event had been “pretty impressive” with the cavalcade of motorbikes that line High Street, extending as far as the eye could see.
He said waving the flag would be an honour. “I’m looking forward to it. Luckily, I not scared of heights.”
Reflecting on his 20 years with council and his list of achievements, he said, “sometimes when I look at it, I think that’s unbelievable. Council and the community have supported me in my journey.”
“It’s fantastic. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t enjoying it. I’m glad the public, the ratepayers have given me the opportunity to be elected each time.”
Since being elected in 1993 to the Cranbourne Council he said, “from day one” he advocated for a cultural centre, and as the opening of Bunjil Place looms on the horizon this month, he said it would be “pretty special.”
“Being in the year Bunjil opens is why I got onto council in the first place – to lobby for a cultural centre and we’ve got it.”
“It’s going to be pretty emotional for that weekend when it opens. It’s the main reason why I got elected, and it’s been my priority the whole time.”
Cr Smith said he hoped visitors at the GP Run would help boost the local economy. “It would be good if people can stay. Hopefully, they do go shopping.”
Asked if he thought he might be swayed to ride motorbikes after the event he said, “In my younger days, I would’ve loved to, but I think it’s too dangerous for old blokes like me.”
