The forever chapter: Australia’s outlaw bikie funerals
BIKIES headed for the forever chapter depart this world with anything but a typical farewell. Step inside some of Australia’s biggest send-offs, with the songs, sidecars and rituals favoured by bereaved bikies.
True Crime
Don't miss out on the headlines from True Crime. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WINDOWS shudder, Harley Davidson fumes trail and black leather stretches for kilometres — outlaw bikies headed for the forever chapter depart this world with anything but a typical farewell.
Mourning members of the Rebels, Hells Angels, Comancheros and Bandidos, among other smaller clubs, form a brotherly cavalcade to escort their fallen comrade on a final ride.
Known for their elaborate coffins, a convoy of luxury cars, and boozy clubhouse wakes, bikie funerals are dramatic affairs as demonstrated when an Aussie funeral clash between cops and mourners was caught on camera.
RELATED:
REBELS MC: THE BIGGEST OUTLAW GANG
INSIDE THE HELLS ANGELS’ AUSSIE CHAPTER
Some say bikies are like the Rotary Club. Cops say they’re like the mob. The truth is, they’re probably a bit of both, so when it comes to funerals, it’s a well-tuned affair.
The Rebels summed it up their funeral know-how pretty well in their constitution.
“A brother is never alone in times of need,” it reads.
“All death of a club member must be reported to officers who will immediately inform all club members ASAP so members can act accordingly. Respect your brothers as you would have them respect you.
“All members who die during their period in the club will be given the highest of honours and a full turn out of brothers.”
We dug deep to find some of Australia’s biggest, most controversial and colorful send-offs, plus the songs, sidecars and rituals favoured by bereaved bikies.
SIMON ‘THE KING’ RASIC
The funeral for one of Australia’s best-known bikie bosses was anything but a typical farewell.
Simon ‘The King’ Rasic, 43, the son of former Socceroos coach Rale Rasic was the Rebels’ national sergeant-at-arms for about a decade, and a very popular character who died of a suspected heart attack in June 2014.
It was a record funeral turnout for Australia’s biggest outlaw motorcycle gang, with 1500 mourners turning up to the farewell the father-of-four at Inspire Church, of Pentecostal Christian persuasion, in Hoxton, southwest Sydney.
Outlaws from other clubs usually mixed, including patched Bandidos, as members from around Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Malta gathered at the behest of ex-president Alex Vella.
Patched members rode in head-to-toe black, as a thumbing sound of Harleys rang out.
Club president Alex Vella, exiled in Malta, paid tribute to his right-hand man with a poem about Rasic’s family, the bikie “brotherhood” and drinking whisky. (Scroll down for the full poem.)
Police kept a close eye on the bikies — some with full face bandanas, following the procession of Harley Davidsons from the Rebels Bringelly clubhouse to the church.
Amazing Grace played out amid silence, before church proceedings ended with a performance of the Haka as the coffin left bound for burial.
There was plenty of emotion when Rasic’s heartbroken son, Alex, helped carry the spray-painted white casket in front of hundreds of bikies.
Behind the casket a string of limousines, hot rods, a Lamborghini and Rolls-Royces followed.
RICHARD JOHN ROBERTS AKA ‘REBEL RICK’
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard John Roberts, 57, was a Rebels enforcer, and convicted drug-dealer described by a fellow bikie as a “great guy”.
Rebel Rick’s shock murder sparked then-club leader Alex Vella to summon his troupe from all over the nation to honour the “hard nut with a soft centre”.
Windows shuddered as bikies — stretching for kilometres under police escort — rode from a Rebels clubhouse through some of the busiest streets in Canberra, and stopped for a one-minute vigil along the way.
They roared 30km from the clubhouse in Queanbeyan to the Norwood Park Crematorium in Mitchell, and later to a clubhouse wake.
A poem was read by Vella to the 380 bikers and 300 family and friends, referencing his death by shooting at a suburban Canberra backyard in March, 2009.
“Last Tuesday ‘Rebel’ went to knock on a door, what happened next we aren’t quite sure,” Mr Vella read.
“He didn’t stand a chance against the shotgun fire.”
Russell Field, 20 at the time, was arrested and charged with the murders, but was later found not guilty of murder.
Mourners listened to My Way by Frank Sinatra, and a Haka was performed by six Rebels in his honour, a nod to Rebel Rick’s Maori connections.
JAMES SEAN ‘PAPPA’ PETTERSON
A large crowd of Rebels M.C. members turned out at the beautiful St Peter’s Cathedral in North Adelaide for the funeral of 47-year-old James Sean ‘Pappa’ Petterson.
Dozens of motorbikes parked in perfect unison lined the street as more than 100 people gathered for the afternoon service in October, 2011.
Helmets hang on handlebars after bikies sporting their own handlebar moustaches joined the proceedings.
Members of rival motorcycle clubs, including the Finks, also attended the service.
A convoy of Rebels members on motorcycles were given a police escort to the service and flanked the standard-issue hearse carying a coffin draped in a Rebels flag as it left the cathedral.
Uniformed and plainclothes police kept a watchful eye over proceedings from outside.
ROSS ‘ROSCO’ BRAND
A loud booze-fuelled wake for slain senior Bandido Ross ‘Rosco’ Brand was only fitting at a Geelong funeral where bikies threatened media.
Hundreds of mourners turned out in droves, spilling from a funeral parlour after a clubhouse gathering before the main event in October, 2008.
Bikies had the entire chapel secured with members positioned around the grounds to prevent unwelcome guests.
A video camera operator from Fairfax media found himself in strife after straying too close.
He was chased through the grounds of the funeral home before reaching safety, Fairfax reported.
A Herald Sun photographer was also told “you’ve got ten seconds to get out of here, now leave, f--k off” after parking too close to the action.
But he said the Fairfax camera operator had been pushing his luck.
“He must have a death wish that bloke,” he said.
A carload of bikies also yelled obscene abuse at a large media contingent as they left the chapel, one calling the media a “bunch of dog c---s”.
Brand was murdered in a drive-by shooting outside the Bandidos’ Geelong clubhouse.
The brown coffin, which was later passed around above mourner’s heads in a weird moshpit style tribute, travelled in a motorbike sidecar from the clubhouse to the funeral home.
MAHMOUD ‘MICK’ HAWI
The former national president of the Comanchero motorcycle club, Mahmoud ‘Mick’ Hawi, 37, was shot dead in a daylight execution earlier this year.
His Islamic funeral at Al Zahra Mosque and Rookwood Cemetery in Arncliffe, Sydney, was a no-go zone for bikes, and monitored under a heavy police presence.
Detectives took a photo of every man, woman and child who attended the February service.
Not a single mourner entered on the motorbikes or wearing colours from the Comancharos or a rival outlaw gang.
The Brisbane chapter sent a floral wreath about an hour before the service began, which was sent inside with a security guard.
However, it wasn’t without drama when a clash between cops and mourners heading to the funeral was caught on camera.
“Brother, there’s 30 of us and there’s two of you, show some respect,” the mourner, getting right in the cop’s face, tells the officer.
Pushing the man away, the officer responds: “I don’t care, you’re going to be searched. Stand against the fence all of you. You’re all being searched for firearms and drugs.”
Among the convoy of luxury cars were three Rolls Royces, two white stretch Bentleys and a Porsche.
Hawi’s grieving widow, Carolina Gonzalez, is believed to have travelled to the Al-Zahra mosque in a white Rolls Royce with her children.
Bikies dressed in black, but not wearing their club colours or gang patches, and shook hands with security before entering the mosque to join other mourners in prayers over Hawi’s body.
Some wore black T-shirts and hoodies with a picture of Hawi printed on the back.
Others filed in behind a man holding a framed photograph of the murdered former Comanchero president.
After Hawi’s body was buried in a position facing Mecca, mourners passed the empty coffin around over their heads.
Hawi served time over the 2009 bashing death of Hell’s Angels associate Anthony Zervas in a wild brawl at Sydney Airport.
Three people, two being alleged members of the Lone Wolf motorcycle club, were last month been charged with Hawi’s murder.
DARREN JOHN WALLACE
More than one hundred bikies joined family and friends to farewell a Rebels bikie killed in a murder-suicide in a small town in southwest Sydney.
Darren John Wallace, a father-of-two, is reported to have pleaded with his attacker, saying “Don’t do it”.
The body arrived inside a black coffin at a cemetery in Leppington on the side saddle of a motorbike.
The distinctive words ‘REBELS MC AUSTRALIA’ and the number 13 were emblazened on it.
The father-of-two was the sergeant-at-arms for the Rebels when he was shot by former Australian Army soldier Tevita Daunibau in front of stunned witnesses at a Shell service station in Picton in December, 2015. Daunibau then turned the weapon on himself.
Laid to rest several weeks later on Christmas Eve, fellow Rebels member ‘Big Rob’ from the Sydney City chapter spoke at the funeral.
“Rebel forever, forever a Rebel” he said.
“Daz was a big man with a big heart ... right now I can hear his laugh and see his smile.”
‘Big Rob’ said Wallace had a talent for doing wheelies on his motorcycle and working with leather at his Picton store, Such is Leather.”
“(Darren) was a truly gifted man. Looking around today how many members are wearing Dazza’s vests? Well I can see plenty.”
As patched Rebels members arrived for the wake, cops were seen pulling them aside.
MARK BUDDLE’S MUM
Not the death of an actual bikie, but she gave birth to one, so well worth a mention anyway.
The mother of self-exiled Comanchero bikie boss Mark Buddle was buried in a $45,000 gold casket in September.
Members of the Comanchero bikie gang — dressed in full club colours — posed for a picture outside of a church, which was later shared to a number of Comanchero Instagram pages.
Senior members wore their colours to show respect for their former national president, who did not attend.
Buddle lashed out on the exuberant coffin and paid for her body to be returned to Australia from Dubai, where she died while visiting him.
Buddle is still wanted for questioning in relation to the fatal shooting of Sydney security guard Gary Allibon in 2010.
Strike Force Raptor swooped on Comanchero members attending and leaving the funeral proceedings, handing out defect notices for their vehicles and forcing members to remove their shoes while they were searched for any illegal weapons and drugs.
HELLS ANGELS FAREWELL MACCHOUR CHAOUK
Melbourne members of the notorious Hells Angels bikies joined mourners in emotional scenes at the funeral of murdered crime patriarch Macchour Chaouk.
Some 15 patched bikies embraced mourners after arriving at the Preston Mosque after escorting the funeral procession for the 65-year-old, who we are not claiming was a bikie himself, in August 2010.
Hells Angels members hugged Macchour’s son, Omar Chaouk, before making their way to Fawkner Cemetery where he was buried beside his son Mohamed, shot dead during a police raid at the family house in 2005.
At least a dozen police descended at mosque to watch over rising family tensions.
Police earlier warned the large media contingent waiting nearby that authorities could not guarantee their safety, with most outlets bringing their own security guards.
Authorities were ready for any tense scenes before the service, with a longstanding antagonistic relationship between police and some members of the Chaouk family.
Jailed CBD killer and Hells Angel bikie Christopher Wayne Hudson paid his own tribute to the slain figure.
In a death notice published in the Herald Sun, Hudson and his parents Terry and Anne wrote Chaouk will be “always remembered”.
Hudson’s name was followed by the words Hells Angels MC.
Chaouk was shot dead in the backyard of his family’s Brooklyn property.
LUKE BRAY
But not all biker funerals are high voltage.
Former soldier turned Bandido Luke Bray, 30, took his own life at the Brunswick clubhouse in April.
Fellow Bandidos members met at the club soon after, visibly distressed by the tragedy.
Many club members shared the news of Mr Bray’s death with the slogan “BFFB’ — Bandidos Forever, Forever Bandidos”.
The Brunswick man’s death sparked an outpouring of grief, with friends describing Mr Bray as a “real character”, a “genuinely good person” who was “always smiling”.
Bray, who served in Afghanistan, was laid to rest with little fanfare at the Cranbourne soccer club.
Mr Bray had been battling mental health issues.
In what must surely be an outdated rule, some outlaw clubs live by the rule that “any brother who commits suicide will not be allotted respect from the club”.
But, of course, the final say is with the loved one’s family.
For help and support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online
BIKIE FUNERAL EXTRAS
SONGS HEARD AT A BIKIE FUNERALS
There’s no hard and fast rule here. Amazing Grace played at Rebels’ sergeant-at-arms Simon Rasic’s funeral, while Rebels enforcer ‘Rebel Rick’ had My Way by Frank Sinatra.
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Amazing Grace by ‘Celtic woman’
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Hey Brother by Avicii
The Sound of Silence by Disturbed
Highway to Hell by AC/DC.
You’ll Never Walk Alone from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein muysical Carousel
10 MORE SONGS ABOUT MOTORCYCLES
Electric Gypsy by L.A. Guns
Ride the Wind by Poison
Desert Plains by Judas Priest
Wanted Dead of Alive by Bon Jovi
Ride to Live, Live to Ride by Twisted Sister
Bad Motor Scooter by Montrose
Iron Horse / Born to Lose by Motorhead
Motorcycle Man by Saxon
Hell Bent for Leather by Judas Priest
Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
TYPICAL BIKIE FUNERAL DRESS CODE
- It’s black, with a side of black. Vests and patches are essential.
- Clubs have a no shorts or open toe shoes rule while riding, and demand proper attire such as
black shoes, black jeans or trousers and black shirts, complemented by an obligoatory leather vest.
- However, mourners at biker funerals have made creative variations with custom-made t-shirts with pictures of their dearly departed printed on the front or back.
- Others opt for a classy skull bandana-turned-face mask, handy when hiding tears.
BIKIE FUNERAL RITUALS
There are no set rules, but there are some common traditions among clubs, but it mostly comes down to the individual or family’s wishes.
- All members must attend, fines can be dished out for non-compliance.
- Bikies traditionally forgo helmets in a funeral procession as a mark of respect when burying a member. However, it’s not seen these days thanks to compulsory helmet laws, but all riders remove their helmets for the service, sometimes removing them in unison
- Outlaw bikers form a guard of honour as the coffin is carried in/out, and some pass the coffin overhead.
- Hundreds turn out, often at the beck and call of the president, to form a funeral cortege
- Police halt traffic at major intersections, or block roads, to allow procession through
A GUIDE TO A TYPICAL PROCESSION FORMATION
- Firstly, you need a Harley Davidson hearse. Should a next of kin or close friend choose to ride with their loved one, hire companies make available a pillion seat with backrest. Some will also provide helmet and jacket if required. These allow mourners to hold a vision of remembrance, freedom and youth.
- When embarking on the final ride, patched in members should not exceed speed limit to avoid police confrontation.
- The formation should take in to consideration riders who posses lower riding skills or new licence, these members should be positioned throughout the pack.
- If a member feels his riding skills need improvement he will ride at the back of the pack.
- All invited guests will ride in formation at the rear of the pack. No exceptions.
WHAT TO DO WHEN AN OUTLAW M.C. MEMBER DIES
- “All members who die during their period in the club will be given the highest of honours and a full turn out of Brothers,” the Rebels constitution reads. However, “any brother who commits suicide will not be allotted respect from the club”.
- Flowers and funeral arrangements will be co-ordinated with dead member’s immediate family via officers.
- An emergency church meeting maybe called to arrange departing services.
- All members must attend, no one should pack a passenger, and patches must be seen.
- The national president wi11 decide on a fine for non-compliance.
- The only valid excuses to not attend include hospital, jail, if a family member is ill (valid proof), or work.
A BIKER FUNERAL POEM
A Biker Funeral — by IronBoltBruce
Sunday morning early comes
This sweltering summer’s day;
Chrome and coffee polished off
As bike and rider wake,
And rumble off to clubhouse for
A changing of the brew;
Black vests in formation--fast
and tight--a loud tribute.
Iron horses, hundreds strong,
Come thund’ring through the gate;
Sleeping souls on notice, fallen
Biker nears his fate.
A mile of gleaming metal lines
The circle and the park;
Out of saddles, boots hit brick
And make for chapel’s heart.
Members of the Club stand post,
Proud brothers in the wind;
Shaded eyes the tears disguise,
And loss they feel within.
Friends and family pay respects
To biker and his mate;
Praises made and prayers raised,
Blues legends resonate.
Final words and kisses, then
The pipes’ Amazing Grace;
Souls of bike and rider seek
Eternal resting place.
Sunday morning early comes
This sweltering summer’s day;
One more rider, Heaven bound,
Roars through the Pearly Gates.
ALEX VELLA’S POETIC ODE TO SIMON RASIC
Good morning ladies and gentleman,
Simon was a staunch man and a Rebel with pride. Our condolences to the Rasic family, Rebels and friends.
We will never know how our lives will end. Today, to all of us, it is a very very sad day.
He loved his sister, his mum and his dad.
It was a blow to my stomach when I heard this sad news. In Malta with my brothers, we were very upset and confused.
Our brother Simon was born on the 03/03/1970. Simon went to Fairfield Christian Brothers School.
He always worked hard and he was nobody’s fool. Simon loved his kids, he was a father of four. He was always there to give a hand and open a door.
His kids Aimee, Alex, Malibu and young Jet, Simon was a family man. A man of respect.
The 16/06/2014 is when Simon passed away. He loved his kids and with them he wanted to stay.
A great friend and a good brother we all lost. He loved life and didn’t care of the cost.
To all Rebels, Simon was a true brother. Simon was the best man you could ever meet. He worked in floor sanding and also doing concrete.
In his drag racing he travelled from state to state. He won races and he was totally great.
In the club he was with us for 21 years. With the rebels he drank plenty of whiskey and beers.
Peacefully, Simon passed away in his sleep. All of the good times and memories and treasures we should keep.
We all know he is in heaven, he doesn’t need the keys.
May God look after our brother and let him rest in peace.
God Bless,
Alex Vella
MORE LAW AND ORDER
THE BLOODY AND BRUTAL HISTORY OF THE BANDIDOS
HOW THE COMANCHEROS BECAME MOST BRUTAL GANG
Originally published as The forever chapter: Australia’s outlaw bikie funerals
‘Shameful’: Cecilia Haddad’s family slam killer’s ‘part-time jail release’
The family of murdered businesswoman Cecilia Haddad have blasted the ‘shameful’ granting of ‘part-time prison’ for her convicted killer.
‘It’ll end in a death of a child’: War of words as watchhouses overcrowd
Gold Coast police officers fear there could be a death in custody as a special investigation by the Bulletin reveals just how crammed the lockup have become. Full details