The event starts on Back Barooga Rd down Carramar Rd, taking in the climb over Mt. Gwynne and turning for the return journey at the Berrigan Yarrawonga Rd intersection.
The race is traditionally held just prior to Christmas, but owing to the unavailability of a commissaire, was this year held one month earlier.
George Goodwin had a great record in cycle racing, with his greatest triumph being a victory in the 1956 Sun Tour, at that time the most prestigious race in Australia. He also had a fastest time in the hallowed Melbourne to Warrnambool road race, the second-oldest one-day cycling race in the world, which still stands as the fifth fastest time in history.
After holidaying in Cobram for some years, George and his very supportive wife Audrey settled in Barooga following his retirement, then in later years moved to the Oasis Homes establishment in Koonoomoo Rd.
He hadn't been involved with the sport for many years, but after encouragement from the local cycling club decided to join up. He raced for about 10 years winning many medals at veteran racing. One of his most meritorious victories was the prestigious “Oppy” race held to honour one of Australia's finest athletes, Sir Hubert Opperman.
He retired at 75 years of age and became an official. His untiring efforts were rewarded with life memberships at Cobram Barooga and Hume Veterans cycling clubs.
The George Goodwin Memorial Handicap event attracted a very small field of seven riders. With a strong north westerly wind blowing, conditions were quite difficult. The limit markers Wayde Foster and Echuca Moama rider Jerrod Davison had a 15 minute start over the very strong scratch pair of Daniel Burrows and 18 year old Yarrawonga sensation Max Holgate.
Myles Higgins who celebrated his 80th birthday on the day and fresh from winning a world time trial championship at Lorne, was accorded the 10 minute mark. He would find it difficult riding solo in the the very windy conditions.
Echuca Moama star Cameron Smith was accompanied by Waaia's Paul Hogan on the three minute mark. The limit riders still had an eight minute margin over scratch at the turnaround point.
Paul lost contact with his co-rider Cameron, a former Australian age group champion, leaving him to ride solo and making the journey a little more difficult. Wayde had visions of a second victory in the event, but the scratch men had other ideas. His hopes were extinguished when the fast finishing Holgate took over with one kilometre to go. Cameron put in a superb effort to relegate Wayde to third place, as he was caught right on the finish line.
Max, who raced in Europe for six months, has developed into a very promising rider and intends to travel overseas next year to again further his experience.
The Holgate family have had a long involvement with the sport. His grandfather John had many victories in highly regarded events, including two victories in the Melbourne to Yarrawonga, the Wagga to Albury and the Bendigo Golden Mile which is raced on a velodrome. His father Dean was also an accomplished rider.
Perhaps Max could yet exceed his forebears accomplishments. During the presentations George's youngest daughter Gaye came forward and surprised all by donating further prize money. George passed away one day after his 86th birthday on September 14, 2010.
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