Bruce Mildenhall rides for Australian veterans

Bruce Mildenhall is doing the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride for the 6th time and VetRide for the 5th time. Picture Shawn Smits.

Bruce Mildenhall is once again preparing to take on the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride in support of Australian veterans.

The retired Woodend politician will ride with the team from VetRide – a cycling organisation dedicated to the welfare of the Australian Defence Forces personnel and former personnel – for the fifth time.

Mr Mildenhall has not served himself, but rides to support those who have, and to represent the Mount Macedon memorial committee.

“I have no personal service record, but my father was a Rat of Tobruk (World War II) and my maternal grandfather was in the first Anzac Light Horse (World War I),” he said. “VetRide means a lot to me. It’s good to get out and ride with mates while we challenge ourselves in a way that respects the service of the guys who put themselves in harm’s way.”

Mr Mildenhall, who helps organise Mount Macedon’s Anzac dawn service, said he had been involved in bike riding since his wife bought him a bike in 2006 when he left Parliament.

His favourite local ride is a lap of Hanging Rock – “up Mount Macedon via the easy way”.