Rebels bikies sighted in Geelong, Queenscliff over the long weekend

At the same time more than 100 Finks bikies dined at a Surf Coast pub, a large contingent of rival bikies were also in the region.

Rebels members were in town over the long weekend. Photo: John McCutcheon.

Geelong was swarming with bikies on Saturday, with a second outlaw motorcycle gang descending on the region.

An estimated 50 members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) were sighted rumbling down Hesse St in Queenscliff on Saturday afternoon, before later grabbing a drink at The Edge on the Geelong waterfront.

It came the same day more than 100 Finks bikies booked out the Beach Hotel in Jan Juc as part of their national run.

While police had been aware of the Finks’ soiree and made arrangements, including a large presence at the venue, it is understood they were caught off guard by the Rebels gathering.

It is believed that the elite Echo Taskforce, which investigates OMCG activity, was unaware of the Rebels’ plans.

An employee of The Edge, who asked not to be named, said the bikies didn’t cause any issues when they pulled up at around 7pm.

“They all just pulled up on the grass outside, and then some of them (around 20) came in for a drink,” the employee said.

However, the bikies didn’t stay long as the venue was fully booked.

Police didn’t receive any complaints about the Rebels’ gathering.

The rival groups did not cross paths.

Unlike the Finks, the Rebels have history in Geelong, with the club once operating a clubhouse in Edols Place in North Geelong.

In 2019, former Rebels sergeant-at-arms John Donnelly was jailed for eight years for, among other crimes, running a $2.2 million car rebirthing racket.

A year later another ex-Rebel, John Ford, was jailed over a 2019 machete attack at South Geelong train station.

Victoria Police was contacted for comment.

Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Rebels bikies sighted in Geelong, Queenscliff over the long weekend