Discover Our Mission

Join us in promoting mental health through camaraderie, rides, and shared experiences.

Our Beginning

The Motorcycle Men’s Shed — Perth, WA was established in March 2023 by founder Gary Pontifex, who wanted to combine his love for motorcycles and his dedication to raising awareness of mental health in the community.

The Motorcycle Men’s Shed is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ mobile shed that provides riders and supporters (male and female) the opportunity to regularly meet with like-minded people over a cuppa to chat about bikes and personal well-being.

Our aim is to create a general feeling of well-being amongst the rider/member group whilst raising the awareness of Mental Health in the community.

In addition to regular social rides and coffee meet-ups, the group takes time to visit other Men’s Sheds all over the Perth metropolitan area and Regional WA. Unlike normal Shedders, who work on hobby or community projects, our members work on their bikes so they can ride and show them off to others.

Our members openly discuss personal issues and how they go about coping or fixing them. Our rides promote a healthier well-being amongst our riders and the people they meet on the journey.

The Motorcycle Men’s Shed is a membership-based, not-for-profit club (like every other men’s shed), where you are required to pay a nominal membership fee. Members can then vote at Annual General Meetings and nominate for positions on the Committe

Our Mission

  • Raising Mental Health awareness and well-being amongst Men’s Shed members

  • Building camaraderie amongst riders/members of Men’s Sheds.

  • Promoting the benefits of the Men’s Sheds to the general community.

  • Maintaining a safe riding environment for our riders/members.

Gary and Indian

Gary and his beloved Indian Challenger

Meet Our Committee

Lyle – Chairman

One of the big things I care about these days is men’s mental health. I’ve seen too many blokes try to tough it out alone, and if I can help even a little by encouraging conversations and checking in, then that’s something I’m proud of. The Mororcycle Men’s Shed is very important to me.  If I feel a bit off, I turn up, I cheer up and I go home feeling happy and appreciated.   Outside of work, honestly, I’m a bit obsessed with motorcycles. Especially Kawasaki’s , I can’t help myself. I’ve loved bikes my whole life, and lately I’ve been getting into adventure riding, which has been an awesome new challenge. When I’m not on two wheels, you’ll probably find me in the garden or kicking back with some blues music.

I’m married, and we’ve got two adult kids who are still living at home, which keeps the place lively, that’s for sure. I’m still working for now, but I’m looking forward to retiring in the next couple of years and having more time for the things I love… and probably buying another bike if I’m honest.

Jim – Vice-Chair and Ride Captain

Bianca – Secretary

Bianca Briggs, foundation member of Motor Cycle Mens Shed Perth, Bianca is also part of the founding committee – Secretary.

Bianca got back on a bike after 30+ years when she met Gary Pontifex (founding chairman). Bianca started out as Gary’s pillion, through this Bianca gained confidence enough to  apply for her licence,  which led to the purchase of her own bike.

Whilst she was supporting Gary with his mental health after a medical event that kept him from riding, they discussed what would keep him occupied in a way that would still keep him active in his beloved bike community.

The idea of the Motorcycle Men’s Shed was formed!

Bianca’s background is in nursing and she is a great believer in looking at people in a truly holistic way – rather than looking solely at diseases, disabilities and differences.

Bianca considers encompassing the whole person; their life story, challenges and triumphs to improve wellbeing in body, mind and spirit. Her energy and spirit is ignited when involving herself with seniors, especially those living with dementia and their supportive partners.

Bianca loves a good long ride to any destination. She has gypsy blood and cannot wait for weekends and holidays to have adventures on her bike with friends or on her own, discovering new roads to share.

Kelvin – Treasurer, Media, Website

Kelvin joined the Motorcycle Men’s Shed in July 2024, shortly after buying a Triumph Bonneville on a whim after his boss showed up to work on one. He then had to get his unrestricted licence so he could ride it!

Before that he hadn’t ridden a motorbike since owning a little Honda 125 around 20 years ago when living and working in Chiang Mai.

A few months later he got the opportunity to test ride a Triumph Thunderbird and couldn’t get the smile off his face afterwards. From that moment knew what his next bike would be, and found a beautiful LT 1700 the following week!

When the call went out for volunteers in April 2025, Kelvin took on the role of Newletter editor, then joined the ride sub-committee for a short time before taking on the role of Treasurer at the 2025 AGM.

Paul – Merchandise and Member Support

Paul joined the Motorcycle Men’s Shed in July 24 having seen the Facebook group and participating in a few rides and coffee mornings. He was keen to meet liked minded folks and get to know new faces and enjoy exploring new rides and country towns.

Paul is a retired Petroleum Engineer, happily married with 2 bikes. Kwaka (Z1000J) is 61 years old and Hardly Movingson (Ultra Ltd) is 8 years old. Paul has always owned a bike since his early teens – Kawasaki being his bike of choice growing up. He now needs the comfort of the Ultra to enjoy the longer rides which is his preference and is hopeful that we can manage to organise the “all rounder down under” next year.

Having travelled the length and breadth of the USA on a few Eaglerider bikes there is nothing better than a road trip with your mates.

Paul joined the McMs committee earlier this year and looks after the McMs Merchandise and supports the Welfare of our McMs members. He really enjoys the Men Shed visits and catching up with some incredibly talented individuals working and supporting their respective sheds. Motorbikes are often a great opening for a conversation that allows opportunities to share so many stories and happy memories. If any of our members want to catch up and have a yarn, always happy to meet up for a coffee (my shout) and listen – even if just to say g’day.

Keep the shiny side up 😎

Geoff – Men’s Sheds WA Liaison

Geoff joined the MCMS not long after its inauguration in early 2023. The motivating factor for Geoff’s membership was the opportunities to ride with like-minded people, at the same time seeing and visiting previously unseen parts of Perth and country WA.

Geoff’s a relatively new comer to motorcycling, not getting a licence and his first bike until entering his later years. Now, it’s about getting up the kilometres and the scenery whenever he’s able.

A previously unoccupied position on the MCMS committee of management, that of Club Liaison Officer, is Geoff’s responsibility. This job is all about establishing and maintaining strong links with Men’s Sheds WA and the Australian Men’s Sheds Association in order to inform on MCMS activities and also to keep abreast of funding and other opportunities.

Getting the MCMS name into the public arena, together with the successful and ongoing projects such as the Xmas Wooden Toys and the motorcyclist riders remembrance wall in Toodyay, will be the focus of Geoff’s efforts. The intent of the work will be to publicise the MCMS through the wider Mens Sheds networks and, to promote the positive approaches we’re taking to mental health.

Robyn – Wooden Toy Appeal Coordinator

Robyn joined the Motorcycle Men’s Shed after attending several events with her husband, Tom, who was already a member. Inspired by former Chairperson Gary’s discussion about an initiative supporting not-for-profit community groups, she decided to get involved and became a member herself.

Since joining, Robyn has been actively involved in the Wooden Toy Appeal — a project encouraging Men’s Sheds to make and donate wooden toys to a range of deserving charities. She loves the group’s strong sense of community, the catch-ups, the long rides, and visiting other Men’s Sheds and their members.

Adrian – Ride subcommittee and Ride leader

Adrian joined the Men’s Motorcycle Shed in 2023 and volunteered for the ride subcommittee in 2024. Although Adrian has moved down to the southwest since retiring he still remains an active member, organising and leading most of the longer country multi-day rides.
 
Adrian draws on his knowledge of touring throughout Australia. The away trips are a great way to find those roads less travelled, connect with others, develop friendships, create support networks, and socialise with other riders. To coin an old cliche, “it’s all about the journey and not just the destination.”
Recent trips include partnering with the Psychs on Bikes, Great Southern, wheatbelt, Murchison, Goldfields and, where he can, regional Men’s Sheds visits are coordinated on route.
 
Short or long; distance it’s not an issue, he can mix it up. Adrian has been known to ride across the continent for a music festival. He is always happy to consider new ideas and destinations and would really look forward to seeing you on the next ride.

Ken- Media, Website, Ride Subcommittee

Ken is not a Perth native. Since moving here for work a few years ago his riding was mostly solitary.

Joining the mens shed has changed this dramtically. Lots of rides, lots of people his vintage to chat with and have a laugh.

Kens mental health has improved markedly. So, it was a no brainer for him to put his hand up at the last AGM to help out where he can.

 

Fred – Ride subcommittee

Fred is 72! To Fred motorcycles are not just a main means of transport but have always been a way of life.

Fred is a 50 year member of Bikes Unlimited, a club set up to get custom motorcycles legalised and foster good relations with the general community. The annual bikes charity ride in aid of the Salvation Army is a good example of this.

Fred has always been involved in motorcycle politics:
– Black helmet issue
– ADR 19.01 (hard-wired headlights) , a controversial topic to this day
-original member of the Federation of Australian Motorcycles (FAM)

Fred is not just all politics, he was an original member of Two wheel Social club as well!

Fred used to love overnight club runs, but these days it is more of the day rides. Being introduced to the MCMS by a long standing mate is ideal, as it has town and country day events with a like minded older group of motorcyclists.

Fred says his favourite bike of the 37 he has owned, is “Joseph” [paint of many colours] a Honda ’75 CBX with its intimidating but awesome motor and fitted with Roo Racing carbon pipes (What a note!!!)

Fred currently rides a CFMoto 800 NK sport (town) and a Honda NC750X (country, Fred looks forward to seeing you at one of the MCMS meets to say hello and have a chat.

Jim – Vice-Chair and Ride Captain

Jim – Vice-Chair and Ride Captain