Fire victims ride high on Graham’s handiwork

Jessica Benton
A PASSIONATE hobby has turned into an act of kindness for Portarlington’s Graham Gibson.
The retiree has been fixing up rusty pushbikes for victims of Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires disaster.
So far he has sent a truckload of 50 bikes as a gift to adults and children who lost everything in Victoria’s worst natural disaster.
“It started as a bit of a hobby but its become pretty big now,” Mr Gibson said.
“I started fixing up the bikes for Portarlington Pedal Group. We’re a community bike riding group and I used to do up the bikes so new members could get involved.
“After the bushfires I thought that the bikes would be good for the families who now have nothing. I thought at least they’d have some sort of transport to get around.
“It’s my way of helping someone while they’re down.”
Mr Gibson’s recycled and restored bicycles have also been donated to children at Portarlington Primary School for its bike education program.
Underprivileged children at Geelong’s Glastonbury Child and Family Services have also benefited from his elbow grease.
Mr Gibson said Bellarine Peninsula residents had helped his cause with donations of disused bikes and parts.
Some, he said, were “more or less on their way to the tip”, while others were in “tip-top condition”.
“But I fix them all up so they’re right to use again.”
Mr Gibson was happy devastated communities had welcomed the bikes.
“The people were rapt when the bikes went up there. They were really thrilled they were getting really good bikes.”
Mr Gibson will have his hands full for a while still, with his double garage packed full of recycled materials and bikes waiting for restorations and new homes.