'Ride at the back of the pack and keep your spanners off our moles'.
Initial Stone Anniversary Run Design
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Final Stone Anniversary Run Design
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Stone Run & Rally Inaugural Meeting Monday 02 August 1993.
Members in attendance: Vincent Tesoriero, Trevor Thomas, Lindsay Roberts, Boris Mihailovic, Mike Esdaile, Sandy Harbutt and Hush.
Purpose: To set up a committee to guide and finance the operations of the "STONE MEMORIAL RUN 1973-1993" and the "STONE ANNIVERSARY RALLY 1973-1993, to be held on December 11-12, 1993.
Purpose: To set up a committee to guide and finance the operations of the "STONE MEMORIAL RUN 1973-1993" and the "STONE ANNIVERSARY RALLY 1973-1993, to be held on December 11-12, 1993.
Stone Rides Again.
The Gravediggers; Captain Midnight and the Undertaker; Craig Brown's incredible wheelies on a Kawasaki Z1; and one Gravedigger's detour off a 20-metre cliff into the Tasman Sea near Bondi - all are vivid memories of the ground-breaking movie Stone that was shot in late 1973 and released in 74. But probably the most celebrated scene of all was the funeral procession up the Sydney-Newcastle expressway. If you were part of that 400-strong ride or would like to experience the Stone atmosphere for the first time, the Vietnam Veterans and Zed Owners Clubs are organising a Stone ride and rally on December 11. Co-creator, director and co-star of Stone Sandy Harbutt owns the copyright to the Stone and Gravedigger logos and has happily given his full support to the happening. The slouch-hatted skull colours of the Gravediggers were adopted by the Vietnam Veterans MC when it was formed, hence its involvement in the run. And as 16 customised Z1s were used for the movie, so the Zed Owners' participation is also obvious. The 20th Anniversary Stone Memorial Run will set off from Lane Cove Road, Epping in Sydney on December 11, and will head north up the F3 Freeway to Cameron Park, West Wallsend near Newcastle. The rally will have food and alcohol outlets, as well as on-site toilets and showers. Entertainment will provided by Kevin Borich Express, Head Hunters, Idols, Red Neck Mothers and Vaseline Machine Guns. Tickets are $20, and all pre-paid entries are guaranteed a Stone memorial patch. For more information on the Stone Rally, tel (02) XXX 4818,(03) XXX 4153, (07) XXX 547 or (049) XXX 500. For details on the Stone Run, tel XXX 961 229 between 7.00pm and 9.00pm Mon-Fri. To relive the Stone experience send $20 per person with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Stone Memorial Run, PO Box XXX, Glenroy, 3046. T-shirts are available for an extra $20. Note: A remixed and colour rebalanced video of Stone is available for $44.95 including certified post. To order, write to Sandy Harbutt, PO Box XXX,North Sydney, 2059. Australian Motorcycle News December 1993.
Let It R.I.P.
A funeral procession of more than 2,000 motorcycles, including just about every Kawasaki Z900 still mobile, will leave North Ryde in a northerly direction tomorrow morning. Leading the procession will be a sidecar bearing a coffin. Strange thing is, nobody has died. The procession, thought to be the biggest parade of two-wheel technology ever seen in Australia, is a tribute to the 1974 Australian movie Stone. During this moving example of life imitating art, Stone's director and producer, Sandy Harbutt, will officially hand over the copyright to the skull and slouch hat logo of The Gravediggers (his fictional biker gang) to the Vietnam Vets, the real-life motorcycle club which is organising this mobile memorial. The movie, now but a dim drive-in memory, was almost certainly Australia's first and possibly last. bikie movie. It was a smash success thanks to some graphic depictions of gang violence (the decapitation by piano-wire scene was a corker). drug taking and Rebecca Gilling, starring as a well-spoken and well-groomed biker bitch, in some essential to the plot skinny dipping scenes. For me, the highlight is the dialogue. Phrases such as "Wow, what a freaky scene, man", "Don't lay that hard cut-tin' jive on me, man" and, best of all man, "Believe me, whoever got you's gonna get got, too" are all delivered without a trace of irony. Despite the appearance of a curly lipped Ken Shorter (he's Stone, an undercover cop) doing his best to look like Jim Morrison on a bad hair day, the best acting performances by far are by the motorcycles, which explains why bike enthusiasts, not film critics, have decided to commemorate Harbutt's masterwork. A stunt where a rider launches his motorcycle off the cliff at South Coogee (please, kiddies, do not try this without parental supervision) is a classic of the thrill-seeker genre. And there is some sensational fanging footage on public roads, including a high-speed lap of the roads surrounding Forsyth Park in Neutral Bay. The Stone Memorial Run begins at 10 am opposite the North Ryde Golf Course and heads up the Pacific Highway to Cameron Park, near West Wallsend, for a bikers' party. Motorcyclists are welcome to join the parade or party (2 pm to 4 am). Inquiries to Sandy on (02) XXX 4818. If you'd prefer to see the movie Stone should be hiding in the darker corners of your video shop. If it's more than a dollar a week, haggle. Sydney Morning Herald Friday 10 December 1993.
Kawasaki Z Owners Club 'Stone Memorial Run' Newsletter 1993.
The venue for the Stone Memorial Run took place at Cameron Park, Wallsend, NSW on Saturday 11th December 1993. The event was part of Australian motorcycle history and an opportunity for all motorcycle patched clubs and commuters, including publishing media to come together to celebrate biker culture and the movie 'Stone'.
The Museum Of Fire Custom Bike Show Saturday 16th October 1993.
Guest Appearance - Sandy Harbutt (Creator Of Stone). |
Museum Of Fire Custom Bike Show Penrith.
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The Kawasaki Z Owners Club and Vietnam Veterans MC coordinated the event, meeting every two weeks leading up to the Stone Memorial Run. The event was conducted in two parts - The Stone Memorial Run: the run up the Newcastle Expressway to Freemans Waterhole and then to Cameron Park, Wallsend was managed by the Vietnam Veterans MC. Cameron Park: the Kawasaki Z Owners managed the site of the event, controlling the sales of alcohol, merchandise, gate fees, security and the organisation of entertainment. The Z Owners invested $38000 into the event and were committed to the success of the run. Sponsors for the event were Street Bike magazine through Mike Esdaile of Federal Publishing who also covered bike magazines Two Wheels, Live To Ride and Revs Motorcycle News. The bike show was held by Street Bike magazine, with Street Bike donating 2000 alcoholic cans to be awarded to the first 400 people to prepay for the event; thus, those that pre-paid the $20.00 for the event received a 'Stone Memorial Run' patch with the Stone logo and 6 alcoholic cans per entry.
The National Organisational Committee consisted of Sandy Harbutt (Stone), Trevor Thomas (freelance journalist), Boris Mihailovich, Bob Skol and Laurie Keats (OZ Bikes), Mike Esdaile from Federal Publishing (Two Wheels, Street Bike, Live to Ride and Revs Motorcycle News Magazine), Vince Tesseriro (Forcefield Marketing), Hush (VVMC), Lindsay Roberts and Dean Mighell (Kawasaki Z Owners Club). During the organisation OZ Bike provided large proportion of there time and advice and were an invaluable contributing to the event, hosting most of the National Stone Committee Meetings.
Force Marketing was the promoter, costing $10500 for the bands, strippers, stage, lighting... Express, Redneck Mothers, Kevin Borich, Idols, Vaseline Machine Gun and Head Hunters were part of the entertainment, with the girls from X-Ray Tracy performing three shows. The live entertainment commenced at 1400 Saturday, concluding 0400 Sunday. Other additional costings related to generators, marquess, posters, fliers, alcohol and refrigerated vans, caterers, t-shirts, badges, hats, clean away bins, toilets and the $1500 for the hire of the venue. The committee agreed to pre-sale 1500 tickets at $20 each to make it worthwhile. Profits for the event: 5% Legacy with the remainder divided between the VVMC NSW Chapter and the Kawasaki Z Owners, Victoria. Any profits from the sale of t-shirts in each state remained in the state of sale for the VVMC.
Force Marketing was the promoter, costing $10500 for the bands, strippers, stage, lighting... Express, Redneck Mothers, Kevin Borich, Idols, Vaseline Machine Gun and Head Hunters were part of the entertainment, with the girls from X-Ray Tracy performing three shows. The live entertainment commenced at 1400 Saturday, concluding 0400 Sunday. Other additional costings related to generators, marquess, posters, fliers, alcohol and refrigerated vans, caterers, t-shirts, badges, hats, clean away bins, toilets and the $1500 for the hire of the venue. The committee agreed to pre-sale 1500 tickets at $20 each to make it worthwhile. Profits for the event: 5% Legacy with the remainder divided between the VVMC NSW Chapter and the Kawasaki Z Owners, Victoria. Any profits from the sale of t-shirts in each state remained in the state of sale for the VVMC.
Two shirts were made for this event. One was the Stone Memorial Run, with the front of the t-shirt displaying the Stone logo and 'I Took The Trip' on the back, with the other, a limited edition 'Midnight' t-shirt, depicting Midnight doing a wheelie on his bike. The design was from the original negative taken from the movie, which was supplied courtesy of Sandy Harbutt.
Federal Publishing agreed to promote and publish the event as part of the sponsorship support.
Federal Publishing agreed to promote and publish the event as part of the sponsorship support.
Stone Memorial Run Promotional Flyer 1993.
Get Out And Get Stoned. REVS Motorcycle News 10-23 November 1993.
HERE'S your chance to step back in time to the halcyon days of the '70s and relive the experience of that classic Australian motorcycling film, Stone. On Saturday, December 11, the Vietnam Veterans MC (NSW) and the Kawasaki Z Owners Club (Vic) will host the Stone Memorial Run to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film's release. The run will leave from Lane Cove Road in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde at 10 am (meet by 9.30 am) and proceed north along the Newcastle Expressway to Cameron Park, West Wallsend. Camping will be provided along with top-class, all-night entertainment from the likes of the Kevin Borich Express, Head Hunters and the Red Neck Mothers as well as an Ecstasy Revue and, of course, a screening of Stone. Tickets for the event are $20 each and cover camping, which is available from Thursday, December 9, and the entertainment. Full catering, toilets and showers will be available and there is to be no glass, dogs or BYO. Pre-paid entries will receive a free Stone Memorial Run patch, which will cost $8.00 on the day and to sweeten the deal, REVS sister mag Streetbike is offering a free six-pack of beer for the first 400 to send their entries to Stone Memorial Run, PO Box 4XXX, Vic 3046. You can also get hold of a Stone Memorial Run or limited edition "Midnight" t-shirt by forwarding $20 plus $5 postage and handling to the same address. For more information, telephone (02) XXX4818, (03) XXX4153, (07) XXX2547 or (049) XXX500 depending on where you are located. While we're on the subject of Kwaka Zeds (well, sort of), the Z Owners Club (NSW) has announced a new postal address. The club can now be contacted via PO Box XXXX, NSW 2057 or by phoning Brian Kelleher on (02) XXX6642.
Following a meeting on the night of Monday 1 November 1993, Sandy advised the Stone Memorial Run committee that he was withdrawing from negotiations to grant the VVMC club rights to wear the Skull and Slouch Hat symbol used in my motion picture. He further withdrew himself and the cast of Stone from the Stone Memorial Run 1973-1993; thus, no cast members of the film were in attendance at the Stone Memorial Run 1973-1993.
Stone Anniversary Run Promotional Flyer 1998.
Sandy officially and legally licensed Vietnam Veterans Australia MC (VVMC) to wear the Skull and Diggers Hat symbol (identical to the emblem worn by the Grave Diggers MC) together with the words Vietnam Veterans MC in September 1998. The licence established that the VVMC have full legal and moral rights to the colours. He stated that 'approval for its use was done out of respect and admiration for the Vietnam Veterans, believing that the VVMC deserved to wear the Skull and Digger Hat symbol by reason of their service and that he had designed the symbol for a group of alienated ex-servicemen... the Grave Diggers MC'
Stone screened with 'Stone Forever 25th Anniversary Run - Run and Rage' at the Sydney Film Festival in June 1999 and aired on SBS 0830 Saturday 11th December 1999. The documentary Stone Forever, a co-production between Sandy Harbutt's Hedon Productions and SBS, traces the films fortunes from its genesis to the present day. The documentary was produced and directed by Richard Kuipers. Sandy Harbutt invited Richard to make the documentary after he championed for the screening of Stone on SBS in 1994.
Rebecca Gilling and Sandy Harbutt try out a bike at the Sydney Film Festival Stone reunion while movie guru Margaret Pomeranz and John Ifkovitch look on.
A bikie gang film panned by the critics 25 years ago but a rip roaring box office success has been honoured a quarter of a century after its release.
Stone was screened last month at the Sydney Film Festival and a documentary produced and directed by Richard Kuipers, called Stoned Forever, was also shown. Festival director Gayle Lake said it was "a wonderful opportunity to screen one of the unsung treasures of the Australian film industry"
Actor, director, producer and writer Sandy Harbutt, now 57, conceived and wrote Stone from his Bent St, Neutral Bay. home. Local streets were used in the shoot, as well as a fort at Middle Head and Gore Hill Cemetery. Sandy has ridden motorbikes "on and off' for about 40 years and acted in 10 plays at the Ensemble Theatre, Kirbilli, including John Herbert's Future and Men's Eyes. The motorbike gang featured in the film - The GraveDiggers - actually lived at the fort during filming, mixing it with "real" bikie gangs. There was an interesting phenomenon about the cast: bikies became actors and actors who played bikies went on to ride motorbikes long after shooting ended. Sandy learnt The Method acting technique under Hayes Gordon at the Ensemble Studios, adapted it to his own "'method" and used it to guide his actors. "The Hells' Angels adopted the picture," Sandy said. "They came to me before it (was made) and said 'It had better be a good picture because there have been a lot on television that haven't been authentic". The 1974 film kick-started many famous careers. Helen Morse starred in her first feature film; former policeman Ken Shorter was in the cast, along with Gary MacDonald (he played a mechanic before his Norman Gunston days) and Bill Hunter, a barman at the bikers' pub. Rebecca Gilling, Aboriginal actor Bindi Williams, Royal Shakespeare Company actor and heavyweight amateur boxer Hugh Keays-Byrne also had roles in the cult film inspired by the Vietnam War. The names tumble on... racers in the former Castrol Six Hour race, including Craig Young, were stuntmen; Billy Green - the man behind Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs - was Stone's composer; Doug Parkinson provided the vocals; 19-year-old Tim Storrier, who had already won one Sulman Prize, was art director and David Hannay was executive producer. Sandy, who had also directed commercials for a living, said he had been driven to a motorcycle culture. "It was really dynamic and unknown. I thought it was really worthy of recording and of expressing the poetry that was in it. "It could be seen as a completely negative or positive thing, I saw it as positive and wanted to make a picture that provided a fair balance of what was going on." Sandy wrote Stone during the Vietnam War after meeting returned soldiers, many of whom were riding bikes. He modelled the GraveDiggers (which, he stressed, means "Serious Diggers") on the Vietnam and Korean vets. The film includes a scene crossing Spit Bridge and parts of Neutral Bay, including bikes circling round Forsyth Park and along Yeo St. A big gang shoot-out was filmed in the Gore Hill graveyard. Major bike stunts off a Sydney chiff face made the headlines in 1974 when the stuntman was taken to hospital. Since Stone, Sandy has written oF worked on four other film scripts, none of which were made. He could not find backers and blames society becoming more conservative, film-makers more cautious and "a culture at the moment that eschews originality" Sandy was thrilled with Stoned Forever and still cherishes the experience of making the film and still having relationships with cast and crew members: " In other words, I'm glad I made that picture and no other, rather than that picture and three or four others that were bad." In Style - Mosman Daily, Tuesday 15 July 1999.
Stone was screened last month at the Sydney Film Festival and a documentary produced and directed by Richard Kuipers, called Stoned Forever, was also shown. Festival director Gayle Lake said it was "a wonderful opportunity to screen one of the unsung treasures of the Australian film industry"
Actor, director, producer and writer Sandy Harbutt, now 57, conceived and wrote Stone from his Bent St, Neutral Bay. home. Local streets were used in the shoot, as well as a fort at Middle Head and Gore Hill Cemetery. Sandy has ridden motorbikes "on and off' for about 40 years and acted in 10 plays at the Ensemble Theatre, Kirbilli, including John Herbert's Future and Men's Eyes. The motorbike gang featured in the film - The GraveDiggers - actually lived at the fort during filming, mixing it with "real" bikie gangs. There was an interesting phenomenon about the cast: bikies became actors and actors who played bikies went on to ride motorbikes long after shooting ended. Sandy learnt The Method acting technique under Hayes Gordon at the Ensemble Studios, adapted it to his own "'method" and used it to guide his actors. "The Hells' Angels adopted the picture," Sandy said. "They came to me before it (was made) and said 'It had better be a good picture because there have been a lot on television that haven't been authentic". The 1974 film kick-started many famous careers. Helen Morse starred in her first feature film; former policeman Ken Shorter was in the cast, along with Gary MacDonald (he played a mechanic before his Norman Gunston days) and Bill Hunter, a barman at the bikers' pub. Rebecca Gilling, Aboriginal actor Bindi Williams, Royal Shakespeare Company actor and heavyweight amateur boxer Hugh Keays-Byrne also had roles in the cult film inspired by the Vietnam War. The names tumble on... racers in the former Castrol Six Hour race, including Craig Young, were stuntmen; Billy Green - the man behind Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs - was Stone's composer; Doug Parkinson provided the vocals; 19-year-old Tim Storrier, who had already won one Sulman Prize, was art director and David Hannay was executive producer. Sandy, who had also directed commercials for a living, said he had been driven to a motorcycle culture. "It was really dynamic and unknown. I thought it was really worthy of recording and of expressing the poetry that was in it. "It could be seen as a completely negative or positive thing, I saw it as positive and wanted to make a picture that provided a fair balance of what was going on." Sandy wrote Stone during the Vietnam War after meeting returned soldiers, many of whom were riding bikes. He modelled the GraveDiggers (which, he stressed, means "Serious Diggers") on the Vietnam and Korean vets. The film includes a scene crossing Spit Bridge and parts of Neutral Bay, including bikes circling round Forsyth Park and along Yeo St. A big gang shoot-out was filmed in the Gore Hill graveyard. Major bike stunts off a Sydney chiff face made the headlines in 1974 when the stuntman was taken to hospital. Since Stone, Sandy has written oF worked on four other film scripts, none of which were made. He could not find backers and blames society becoming more conservative, film-makers more cautious and "a culture at the moment that eschews originality" Sandy was thrilled with Stoned Forever and still cherishes the experience of making the film and still having relationships with cast and crew members: " In other words, I'm glad I made that picture and no other, rather than that picture and three or four others that were bad." In Style - Mosman Daily, Tuesday 15 July 1999.
Sandy Harbutt and David Hannay contacted SBS with details of the Stone 25th Anniversary Run and the potential for a documentary to be framed around the movie. The idea didn't initially win favour with SBS, but with support from Margaret Pomeranz and Spectrum Films behind the project with post production facilities, approval was granted... it was known around SBS as 'that bikie doco'. The 'Stone Feeling' made this documentary possible. What was lacking in budget was made up through goodwill generated by a film supported by a motorcycle community. Companies supplied everything from stock footage, to music rights, to camping gear at low rates... because it was Stone
On Saturday 12th December 1998, 34,000 motorbikes gathered in the Newcastle Expressway just outside Sydney. It was 25 years to the day since the famous funeral ride in the film Stone was shot and bikers were gathered to proudly to re-enact the memorial scene. Stone Forever documents the historical side; the extraordinary people who lived their lives in the shadows of the infamous film and the way it came about. Stone remains one of Australia's most financially successful films, yet Sandy Harbutt never made another. Despite bad reviews, when the film was release in June 74, it broke the box office records around the country; however, Sandy Harbutt became the bad boy of the industry and consequently, his financial bakers, including the Australian Film Commission didn't promote the film internationally.
Sandy Harbutts confrontation with the Australian Film Commission (AFC) began in Cannes in 1975 when he refused to accept paltry offers for his film. Sandy stated 'I wasn't prepared to give it away'; thus, he earned a reputation for being uncooperative. In fact, the industry virtually turned its back on him which made it difficult to convince international buyers to take an interest in Stone. The AFC obliterated Stone from its publicity material and refused to include the film in a London retrospective of Australian cinema. Sandy Harbutt took it upon himself to take his film to Cannes, first in 1980 and again in 1982, the second time with executive producer David Hannay. They self-promoted the movie with parades down the Croisette, TV and radio interviews. It enjoyed top 10 box office success in Japan and Germany, almost a decade after it was made. Stone Forever interviews the crews and actors, including Helen Morse and Rebecca Gilling. It contains archival footage of the 'Making of Stone' and footage from the film itself. It speaks to people who have virtually devoted their lives to Stone, most of them hard core bikers. We learn how 'The Stone Social Club' and Vietnam Veterans MC were established as a direct result of the film, as stated by the members of the Vietnam Veterans MC 'when we returned from Vietnam, no-one wanted to know us, so we lived on the edge of acceptance and the edge of society'.
Stone Forever also contains fantastical anecdotal information- such as the involvement of real Hells Angels during the fight scene at the Forth and Clyde Hotel in Balmain and in the funeral ride -, which provides unmistakable authenticity, and there services were paid for in dope and beer, as Rebecca Gilling states 'dope was the currency of the day'. For aficionados, Stone is the be all and end all of cult films. For many it changed their lives and for the first time it told their story. It was, as John Laws said 'the first honest appraisal of their lives' and for these Australians who live by a code of loyalty, mate-ship, honour, their dedication to all things 'Stone' is something they take extremely seriously. President of the NSW Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans MC stated 'you can't understand it sitting in an office, you can't understand it walking around the streets of Sydney. You have got to be on a bike with the guys - riding'.
Don Walker from Cold Chisel gave some music to the production with excerpts from the original trailer narrated by John Laws and directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith - 'The Making of Stone'. Before finishing the film Richard Kuipers showed the film to Executive Producer Margaret Pomeranz, David Hannay, Sandy Harbutt and the Vietnam Veterans MC. Richard Kuipers stated 'I had an interview with someone, which when they saw in the film, they said that guy has no right to say that, suggesting if you want to do the right thing by the culture, you would take that out... which I did immediately'. One of the MC's that saw the documentary stated to Kuipers... 'well mate, you must be doing the right thing, because you haven't got your legs broken yet', which Kuipers says 'was probably the best review I ever got'.
On Saturday 12th December 1998, 34,000 motorbikes gathered in the Newcastle Expressway just outside Sydney. It was 25 years to the day since the famous funeral ride in the film Stone was shot and bikers were gathered to proudly to re-enact the memorial scene. Stone Forever documents the historical side; the extraordinary people who lived their lives in the shadows of the infamous film and the way it came about. Stone remains one of Australia's most financially successful films, yet Sandy Harbutt never made another. Despite bad reviews, when the film was release in June 74, it broke the box office records around the country; however, Sandy Harbutt became the bad boy of the industry and consequently, his financial bakers, including the Australian Film Commission didn't promote the film internationally.
Sandy Harbutts confrontation with the Australian Film Commission (AFC) began in Cannes in 1975 when he refused to accept paltry offers for his film. Sandy stated 'I wasn't prepared to give it away'; thus, he earned a reputation for being uncooperative. In fact, the industry virtually turned its back on him which made it difficult to convince international buyers to take an interest in Stone. The AFC obliterated Stone from its publicity material and refused to include the film in a London retrospective of Australian cinema. Sandy Harbutt took it upon himself to take his film to Cannes, first in 1980 and again in 1982, the second time with executive producer David Hannay. They self-promoted the movie with parades down the Croisette, TV and radio interviews. It enjoyed top 10 box office success in Japan and Germany, almost a decade after it was made. Stone Forever interviews the crews and actors, including Helen Morse and Rebecca Gilling. It contains archival footage of the 'Making of Stone' and footage from the film itself. It speaks to people who have virtually devoted their lives to Stone, most of them hard core bikers. We learn how 'The Stone Social Club' and Vietnam Veterans MC were established as a direct result of the film, as stated by the members of the Vietnam Veterans MC 'when we returned from Vietnam, no-one wanted to know us, so we lived on the edge of acceptance and the edge of society'.
Stone Forever also contains fantastical anecdotal information- such as the involvement of real Hells Angels during the fight scene at the Forth and Clyde Hotel in Balmain and in the funeral ride -, which provides unmistakable authenticity, and there services were paid for in dope and beer, as Rebecca Gilling states 'dope was the currency of the day'. For aficionados, Stone is the be all and end all of cult films. For many it changed their lives and for the first time it told their story. It was, as John Laws said 'the first honest appraisal of their lives' and for these Australians who live by a code of loyalty, mate-ship, honour, their dedication to all things 'Stone' is something they take extremely seriously. President of the NSW Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans MC stated 'you can't understand it sitting in an office, you can't understand it walking around the streets of Sydney. You have got to be on a bike with the guys - riding'.
Don Walker from Cold Chisel gave some music to the production with excerpts from the original trailer narrated by John Laws and directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith - 'The Making of Stone'. Before finishing the film Richard Kuipers showed the film to Executive Producer Margaret Pomeranz, David Hannay, Sandy Harbutt and the Vietnam Veterans MC. Richard Kuipers stated 'I had an interview with someone, which when they saw in the film, they said that guy has no right to say that, suggesting if you want to do the right thing by the culture, you would take that out... which I did immediately'. One of the MC's that saw the documentary stated to Kuipers... 'well mate, you must be doing the right thing, because you haven't got your legs broken yet', which Kuipers says 'was probably the best review I ever got'.
Stone 25th Anniversary Run BMW R1200C 1998.
'Septic' Dewey Hungerford, 'Captain Midnight' Bindi Williams, 'Undertaker' Sandy Harbutt, 'Hooks' Roger Ward,
'Stone' Kevin Shorter, Remco Van Rede, 'Zonk' John Ifkovitch and 'Ferret' Peter King.
'Bad Mad' Jim Walsh and 'Toad' Hugh Keays-Bryne attended the event; however, are absent from the photo.
BMW's were collected at Procycles Hornsby.
'Septic' Dewey Hungerford, 'Captain Midnight' Bindi Williams, 'Undertaker' Sandy Harbutt, 'Hooks' Roger Ward,
'Stone' Kevin Shorter, Remco Van Rede, 'Zonk' John Ifkovitch and 'Ferret' Peter King.
'Bad Mad' Jim Walsh and 'Toad' Hugh Keays-Bryne attended the event; however, are absent from the photo.
BMW's were collected at Procycles Hornsby.
Run and Rage Stone Staff T Shirt Saturday 12th December 1998.
The Sunday Herald, Sydney, Sunday 05th December 1999: 'Technically speaking, Stone was not the best film ever made, but its rough and ready style, improvised dialogue, over the top acting and minimal budget, is part of its appeal and what makes it an obsession for many film fans. Stone has long transcended its cult status. Almost 35,000 motorbike riders gathered on the Sydney Newcastle freeway to recreate Stones famous funeral ride as part of the films 25th Anniversary Celebrations last year. This is the jumping off point for this documentary which explores a question that has mystified the film establishment; why are so many people passionate about this film? Apart from interviews with fans, this film also features footage from the Making of Stone and observations from its director and star Sandy Harbutt and cast, which include Helen Morse, Rebecca Gilling, Bill Hunter and Garry McDonald.
With the lack of demand for VHS, all VHS 'Stone Forever' titles were deleted at the end of 2002, due to retailers not wanting to stock VHS in favour of DVDs; thus, no further sales of the VHS 'Stone Forever' VHS cassette tapes were produced or sold after Tuesday 31st December 2002.
With the lack of demand for VHS, all VHS 'Stone Forever' titles were deleted at the end of 2002, due to retailers not wanting to stock VHS in favour of DVDs; thus, no further sales of the VHS 'Stone Forever' VHS cassette tapes were produced or sold after Tuesday 31st December 2002.
SBS Television 1999.
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Hedon Productions 1999.
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'In 1974 Sandy Harbutt made the film Stone - a thriller about an undercover cop, sent to investigate the violent murders of several motorcycle gang members. Stone is on of Australia's most successful films ever, yet its director, producer, co-writer Sandy Harbutt has never made another film. Stone's loyal audiences have kept the film alive and in December 1998. 34,000 motorcyclist gathers in Sydney to mark the films 25th Anniversary of the film with a run up the Newcastle freeway, followed by a 24 hour celebration party. This is the story of Stone - told by the people who made it and the people who lived it - this is... Stone Forever'.
Stone 25th Anniversary 'Run Patch and Rage Ticket' Greetings Letter.
On the Tuesday 20th October 1998 Vince Tesorero was at PROCYCLES Hornsby selling tickets, merchandise and making himself available for photos.
On the Tuesday 20th October 1998 Vince Tesorero was at PROCYCLES Hornsby selling tickets, merchandise and making himself available for photos.
Stone 25th Anniversary 'Run' Patch.
20th October, 1998
Greetings from the STONE Office
Here is your STONE 25th Anniversary Run patch and Rage ticket/s. Its all systems go for the STONE Run on Saturday December 12th 1998. The Run starts at 11am sharp leaving from the old Berowra Toll Gates site located on the old Pacific Highway. Berowra.
HOW TO GET THERE
if you are travelling from Sydney the best way to get to Berowra is via Hornsby, Asquith and Mt Colah on the Pacific Highway. If you are coming from north of Sydney down the Newcastle - Sydney Freeway then take the Berowra exit which will deliver you back onto the Pacific Highway at Berowra. If you arrive early please take your place in the queue and be considerate of residential driveways and commercial access along the Pacific Highway.
The STONE RUN
The Run is being organised in conjunction with the NSW Police Service who will ensure the participants get on and off the Freeway safely. Please comply with the directions given and please do not exceed the speed advisory signs. Police radar units will be in operation heading both north and south on the Expressway. The 25th Anniversary Run will be filmed for future STONE projects including a documentary being made by SBS Television due to go to air nationally early next year. For this reason we ask that you ride with respect, in strict formation, in your designated lane, and no passing. Remember if you break formation you will be edited out of the film and end up on the cutting-room floor. Once underway the Run will travel to Raymond Terrace and then make a left turn off the Highway 7 kms north of Raymond Terrace into the Barleigh Ranch Motocross/ Short Circuit Racetrack complex, having covered a total distance of 144 kms. Please ensure you have a full tank of fuel before you start.
At BARLEIGH RANCH
At the completion of the Run we enter the gates of the Barleigh Ranch complex. This is where you show your ticket to gain entry into the Rage site or pay $20 if you have not yet obtained a ticket. No dogs, glass or BYO please. Security will be in place at the gate. Once inside you should find a place to park your bike then feel free to check out the refreshment tent, food stalls, displays and entertainment.
The BANDS
The entertainment will start on Saturday afternoon. Bands include Scarecrow, Leroy and the Rats, Quaan, Mr. Damage [The Angels Show], Dirty Deeds [The AC/DC Show], The Last Stand [Chisel/ Barnes Show]. Plus heaps of Girls, Strippers and the Horizontal Bungee.
CAMPING ON-SITE
Camping is available in the grounds from Friday night until Sunday morning at no extra cost. Please do not light any fires as restrictions apply. Good quality hot food and cold refreshments will be available from Friday night until Sunday breakfast. For early arrivals or those that may want to camp off-site there are some good caravan parks close to the venue that provide vans, sites and hot showers. Try Pacific Gardens Caravan Park, 260 Pacific Highway, Raymond Terrace . Phone 02 XXX2224/ Fax 02 XXX2446/ Ponderosa Caravan Park, Tomago, Phone 02 XXX8066.
REPAIRS
A mobile bike workshop will be located on-site. And for you a first-aid station will be set up near the main canteen.
STONE Merchandise
STONE 25th Anniversary T-Shirts, Polo Shirts, Run Patches, Jackets, Caps, Beanies, Badges, Tinny Holders, Videos, Soundtrack CDs etc will be available from the merchandise stall on-site Saturday only]. You can see the full range by visiting the STONE website - www.stoneweb.com.au or call into PROCYCLES Hornsby, 148 George Street Hornsby for advance ticket sales and/ or to see and buy the merchandise for real.
SECURITY
Security will be in place from Saturday morning and regular patrols will be made in the camping areas, however do not leave any valuables on-site when you leave the area to ride down to Berowra. We take no responsibility for valuables left unattended. Please remember you will attend the Run and Rage at your own risk, the land owners and organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, damage and/ or injury to persons or property whilst on the Run or at the Rage.
Have a great time and thanks for the support,
SEE YOU THERE!
Greetings from the STONE Office
Here is your STONE 25th Anniversary Run patch and Rage ticket/s. Its all systems go for the STONE Run on Saturday December 12th 1998. The Run starts at 11am sharp leaving from the old Berowra Toll Gates site located on the old Pacific Highway. Berowra.
HOW TO GET THERE
if you are travelling from Sydney the best way to get to Berowra is via Hornsby, Asquith and Mt Colah on the Pacific Highway. If you are coming from north of Sydney down the Newcastle - Sydney Freeway then take the Berowra exit which will deliver you back onto the Pacific Highway at Berowra. If you arrive early please take your place in the queue and be considerate of residential driveways and commercial access along the Pacific Highway.
The STONE RUN
The Run is being organised in conjunction with the NSW Police Service who will ensure the participants get on and off the Freeway safely. Please comply with the directions given and please do not exceed the speed advisory signs. Police radar units will be in operation heading both north and south on the Expressway. The 25th Anniversary Run will be filmed for future STONE projects including a documentary being made by SBS Television due to go to air nationally early next year. For this reason we ask that you ride with respect, in strict formation, in your designated lane, and no passing. Remember if you break formation you will be edited out of the film and end up on the cutting-room floor. Once underway the Run will travel to Raymond Terrace and then make a left turn off the Highway 7 kms north of Raymond Terrace into the Barleigh Ranch Motocross/ Short Circuit Racetrack complex, having covered a total distance of 144 kms. Please ensure you have a full tank of fuel before you start.
At BARLEIGH RANCH
At the completion of the Run we enter the gates of the Barleigh Ranch complex. This is where you show your ticket to gain entry into the Rage site or pay $20 if you have not yet obtained a ticket. No dogs, glass or BYO please. Security will be in place at the gate. Once inside you should find a place to park your bike then feel free to check out the refreshment tent, food stalls, displays and entertainment.
The BANDS
The entertainment will start on Saturday afternoon. Bands include Scarecrow, Leroy and the Rats, Quaan, Mr. Damage [The Angels Show], Dirty Deeds [The AC/DC Show], The Last Stand [Chisel/ Barnes Show]. Plus heaps of Girls, Strippers and the Horizontal Bungee.
CAMPING ON-SITE
Camping is available in the grounds from Friday night until Sunday morning at no extra cost. Please do not light any fires as restrictions apply. Good quality hot food and cold refreshments will be available from Friday night until Sunday breakfast. For early arrivals or those that may want to camp off-site there are some good caravan parks close to the venue that provide vans, sites and hot showers. Try Pacific Gardens Caravan Park, 260 Pacific Highway, Raymond Terrace . Phone 02 XXX2224/ Fax 02 XXX2446/ Ponderosa Caravan Park, Tomago, Phone 02 XXX8066.
REPAIRS
A mobile bike workshop will be located on-site. And for you a first-aid station will be set up near the main canteen.
STONE Merchandise
STONE 25th Anniversary T-Shirts, Polo Shirts, Run Patches, Jackets, Caps, Beanies, Badges, Tinny Holders, Videos, Soundtrack CDs etc will be available from the merchandise stall on-site Saturday only]. You can see the full range by visiting the STONE website - www.stoneweb.com.au or call into PROCYCLES Hornsby, 148 George Street Hornsby for advance ticket sales and/ or to see and buy the merchandise for real.
SECURITY
Security will be in place from Saturday morning and regular patrols will be made in the camping areas, however do not leave any valuables on-site when you leave the area to ride down to Berowra. We take no responsibility for valuables left unattended. Please remember you will attend the Run and Rage at your own risk, the land owners and organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, damage and/ or injury to persons or property whilst on the Run or at the Rage.
Have a great time and thanks for the support,
SEE YOU THERE!