A week after their enormous shed was enveloped in an inferno, the Gregory family of Jerrara Road are still coming to terms with the loss of an eclectic collection gathered over fifty years.

“It was basically a private museum, full of vintage and classic motorcycles, memorabilia and all kinds of things,” says Rebecca Gregory, on behalf of her parents Gordon and Gay.

They included items as diverse as a 150 year old washing machine, clocks, a Rolling Stones signed guitar, a 1950s coffee maker, jukeboxes, pinball machines, a pair of Mick Doohan’s gloves, and much more.

“It was their pride and joy, and they loved sharing it with people. There were people here every day,” she says.

The space was loved by many

At least 80 motorbikes were at the heart of the collection, including a 1940 Indian Chief with a side car in immaculate condition, a BSA from the 1950s, a 1980 Honda CB1100R and

a 1972 Norton Commando.

“There were bikes that weren’t even ours, as people loved the place so much they left them for display or storage,” says Rebecca.

“It is such a loss to history, as the things can never be replaced.”

The shell-shocked family is focusing on the fact that no one was injured, and the fire didn’t spread to their house.

“We are so grateful to the community for all their support,” says Rebecca.

“Friends, family, strangers – the whole community has been wonderful and we appreciate that from the bottom of our hearts.

“It wasn’t just us that was affected by the loss, we had practically strangers and friends crying and devastated by the loss of history.

“Even if they were fully insured, most items could never be replaced. They were one of a kind.”

Very little survived

The cause of the fire is still be investigated, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

“The neighbours heard an explosion around 11.30am,” says Rebecca.

“The fire brigade got here at about 12.30, and when I got here just after 1pm it was well and truly alight.”

She says her father’s lifetime commitment to helping others makes this loss even harder for her.

“Dad [who owns a scaffolding business] has been so generous his whole life, donating thousands of hours of his time and labour plus materials to friends, strangers and community groups.

“This has included donating all the scaffold, and his labour erecting and dismantling it, to the HARS Museum so they can work on their huge planes – all for free and wanting nothing in return for the past 10 years.

“My whole life he has done these things which sure makes it even more heartbreaking, as he doesn’t deserve this.”