WINIFRED WELLS

TRAVELLERS on the long overland route across Australia were amazed to see a girl, travelling alone on a high-powered motor cycle, flash past them with a cheery wave,” reported People magazine in April 1951. “The lone rider was Winifred Wells, of Derby Road, Shinton Park, spending three weeks' holiday by travelling 5505 miles from her home city of Perth to Sydney and back.”

Setting her sights on an unimaginable journey across the Nullarbor Plain, Winifred was well and truly prepared, defying the many naysayers who told the 21-year-old she couldn’t do it.

Winifred was 11 years old when she decided that she wanted a motorbike. Her parents laughed at the idea and only commented, “later dear”. But she was determined and when old enough she gained her motorcycle licence and also bought her first bike, a 250cc BSA. Winifred practised the art of scrambling