In true Italian fashion, we’re celebrating with passion, style, and loudly.

To kick off our 50th birthday celebrations you are warmly invited to a Gala Club Dinner at the sumptuous Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne, in the elegant and atmospheric King Edward Ballroom.

Join us as we raise a glass to five decades of red-blooded Italian-bred passion, enthusiasm, lifelong friendships, and a shared appreciation for machines that stir the soul - even when they occasionally empty the wallet.

The evening will feature a three-course meal, including a specially created 50th Anniversary cake, and a couple of short presentations from your passionate committee and others who at this stage shall remain nameless. These will be equal parts insightful and entertaining, with the committee doing its best to appear organised, rehearsed, and competent — just like a Ducati factory service schedule suggests.

The night is designed to be relaxed and social: a chance to reconnect with old friends, welcome new ones, and swap stories that improve slightly with each retelling. There will be no lap records, no spec sheets, and no debates about oil viscosity... unless you insist.

The Rendezvous has been selected with the same care one applies to choosing Ducati accessories. It's close to public transport, generous car/motorcycle parking, and a range of accommodation options — including a discounted rate at the hotel itself for those who prefer not to test their night vision on the ride home.

We’ll also be in a room where you can actually hear the conversation, rather than shouting over someone passionately explaining why desmodromic valves are clearly superior (they are).

More details on the running order will follow once the committee finishes debating font choices, timing, and whether red is, in fact, faster.

For now, book your place on the registration page, mark the date, dress with a touch of Italian flair, and prepare for a night that promises to be indulgent, atmospheric, and unforgettable — much like a Ducati: beautiful, thrilling, and worth every moment... even if it occasionally demands a little extra attention!