Tasmania’s bikies and the bad boys of Instagram
Mirror selfies sporting leather jackets, Gucci merchandise and their new mullets, Tasmania’s bikie gang affiliates aren’t shy on social media. Here’s what our Instabikies of Tassie are up to online >>
Tasmania
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TASMANIA’S outlaw motorcycle gangs might for the most part be hidden, but the state’s high per head bikie population and the emergence of younger members has seen social media fame enticing many of the ‘next generation’ of bikies.
Through the allure of tough clothing and accessories, shiny motorcycles, brotherhood and esteem has drawn in many new members over the years, police across Australia have attempted to counteract the flow of fresh faces into the groups through emerging initiatives.
Queensland Police’s OMCG Exit Program was launched last year and has captured the interest of other states and territories based on two key assertions: “a pathway out of gangs is possible” and “you wouldn’t join a gang if you knew the truth”.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Damien George said the first of its kind initiative included mentoring, employment and health services.
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“Exit is a program for adult ex-gang members in Queensland wanting to end their involvement with outlaw motorcycle gangs and the crimes associated with them,” he said.
“The program is backed by research demonstrating the value such initiatives can have in helping motivated individuals turn their life around and in reducing rates of violence, reoffending and victimisation.”
The Queensland Police website said many gang members “regret” joining bikie groups.
The Detective Inspector said another exit program could be replicated in Tasmania.
“The success of this program continues to be assessed but early indications based on gang members that have entered this program are encouraging,” he said.
“Tasmania may consider a similar program in the future but time would be needed to evaluate the outcomes of the Queensland Exit program.”
These are just some Tasmanians who haven’t shied away from sharing their allegiance to bikie gangs on social media.
CHARLIE READ
Charlie Read, 21, was born shrouded by underworld celebrity as the son of late notorious criminal and Australian personality Chopper Read.
Now, the young bikie proudly and publicly shares his affiliation with the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang via Facebook and Instagram.
“Little Chop Chop” as his friends affectionately call him changed his profile picture just days ago on social media to a Rebels symbol accompanied by the phrase “respect this colour and I’ll respect yours”, drawing likes and comments from many followers.
The amount of people following Read on Instagram vastly outweighs the amount of accounts he follows back – a sign that more people are taking an interest in him and his life as a “1%er”.
Among photos of utes in vast fields, or of Charlie and his mates sharing beers in their Rebels attire, perhaps the most succinct description of Read’s identity is expressed in his Instagram biography: “21 bush beers boobs and harleys”.
AARON JOSEPH “AJ” HOUPAPA-GRAHAM
For every one person Aaron Houpapa-Graham follows on Instagram, another ten follow him back.
The prominent bikie may currently be established amid the Rebels ranks in New Zealand, but before this he founded the Rebels Kingston chapter in southern Tasmania.
AJ was deported to NZ in 2017 but prior to this drew a following of Tasmanians.
Now, he posts on his public Instagram on occasion to followers from bikies chapters around the world, typically about an upcoming event.
His most recent post on Friday February 26 included a photo of himself captioned “WE ON THE NEW ZEALAND REBELS MC NATIONAL RIDE WEEKEND”.
Three days prior, he posted a short video of his highly decorated blue and red confederate flag Rebels branded motorcycle and of himself wearing his own elaborate regalia, including chunky gold rings on almost every finger.
The status symbols drew praise from commenters adoring his motorcycle’s “mad paint job”.
TROY JEFFERSON
Troy’s public Instagram profile shares multiple motorcycle snaps and celebrates the Rebels club through images of himself and fellow members in their colours, with captions of solidarity suggesting Troy has “a lot of respect” for “brothers” in the gang.
Though his most recent post was uploaded in the middle of last year, Jefferson has made his alliance with the Rebels known to all who visit his public profile and has shared his love of bikes over the years before more recently publicly sharing his OMCG alliance.
BAD MOTHER F … ER MC
The emerging self-proclaimed club made waves through a social media post introducing the BMF MC via a member facing away from the camera and kitted out in attire in January.
The Motorcycle Clubs Australia Facebook page posted the image of BMF with a caption asking “is this a joke”?
“Tasmania is announcing a new MC 1% club BMF44 … formed in 2003 inside maximum security division four Risdon Prison,” the post read.
The BMF MC had claimed they respected all other bikie gangs and would not be dictated by anybody.
Some 1700 people commented on the post, with one social media user saying it “sounds like he has been watching a bit too much [Sons of Anarchy] on TV” and another estimating the “stick on” patches would “come off when the scooters hit [60km/h]”.
Time will tell if the true scope and nature of BMF MC’s operations will be seen on the streets, or perhaps witnessed on social media.
JASON HYDE
The Rebels affiliate hasn’t posted since 2019, but his public profile has shown open support for the club since 2017.
The most recent post shared details of a Rebels ride event with the caption “all welcome on the ride or afterwards for a feed and some good music”.
Other posts have shown Jason drinking beers with friends while wearing his Rebels attire, taking selfies with his wife and enjoying water views with his prized bike.
His Instagram biography begins with the acronym “RFFR” and encourages people to treat life like a “party”.
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