Sheilas Shakedown is equal parts rally, festival and rebellion. An outrageously unique event that has carved out a space for women and gender-diverse riders. Photos: Shannyn Higgins
Roaring into its 10th year, Sheilas Shakedown is Australia’s only motorcycle rally exclusively for women and gender-diverse riders. What began as a humble campout has evolved into a defiant, joy-fuelled celebration of bikes, belonging and unapologetic self-expression.
In a world where motorcycle rallies are often dominated by a particular kind of aesthetic, an Australian event exists that breaks the mould entirely. It’s called Sheilas Shakedown, and it’s an annual all-female and gender-diverse festival of motorcycling that is as much about camaraderie and empowerment as it is about the motorcycles themselves.
The rally-style motorcycle games are a favourite among riders and spectators alike.
Founded on a whim and nurtured through passion, Sheilas Shakedown has grown from a modest overnight campout into a popular event on Australia’s two-wheel calendar. But for organiser Remmi Aloni, the festival is not just a passion project, it’s a movement reflective of our time.
Laughter, dust and anticipation — spectators crowd the sidelines at Sheilas Shakedown.
Accidental beginnings
Remmi Aloni, 43, never saw herself ever learning to ride a motorbike, let alone becoming the driving force behind a pioneering Australian motorcycle rally. But that’s exactly where she’s ended up.
“My boyfriend at the time was really keen to get his licence and kept pestering me to get mine with him,” she recalls. “I was hesitant – mostly because of the cost – but when he went ahead and did it without me, my competitive streak kicked in. I thought, ‘Well, if you’re going to get yours, then I’m getting mine.’ And I ended up being way more into it than he ever was. He’s long gone now, but my bike isn’t.”
That bike – a Kawasaki W800 – has carried Remmi through countless adventures, but perhaps none as significant as her role in Sheilas Shakedown. The event, however, wasn’t exactly her idea. “It started when a friend of mine, who was deep into the vintage Harley and chopper scene, realised the scene was mostly men. She wanted more female energy in her life and put out a basic Facebook post inviting women to a motorcycle campout,” Remmi says.
It seems the only rules at Sheilas are around having a good time.
Thirty women showed up to that first informal gathering. It was raw – no bathroom facilities, no structured events – but it was the spark which eventually ignited what is now colloquially referred to as simply ‘Sheilas’. “It was the best!” Recalls Remmi. “We had so much fun – it was really, really good.” Encouraged by its success, the event was repeated, this time on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. “And this time, some girls from interstate turned up and someone even rode [980km] from Sydney.” The appetite for something bigger was obvious.
The Sheilas dancefloor is where mates are made and sequins reign.
The organiser at the time was a very well-known tattoo artist, says Remmi, who was launching a silversmithing business at the same time and needed to prioritise her work over her follies. Remmi and a few others stepped in to take it to the next level and by February 2017, Sheilas Shakedown had a name, a strategic plan and a bright future.
“It was just so fresh at that time. There was no other events of that ilk in that it was, you know, female only, but with that real motorcycle and rock ’n’ roll vibe… it was amazing.”
Run what you brung
Despite what it looks like, Sheilas Shakedown is a true celebration of diversity.
“At Sheilas, you can bring whatever bike you want,” Remmi explains. “Most of our attendees are from Melbourne, and while there’s a big trend towards vintage choppers, there’s no rules. Ride whatever you want – actually, you don’t even have to ride – just show up and be part of it.”
It doesn’t matter what you bring; it can be a minibike, a historic bike, a rat bike… in fact, you don’t even need a bike!
Beyond the bikes, the festival has evolved into a three-day sensory overload: live music, tattooing, motorcycle games and what Remmi simply describes as “downright yahooing.” There’s an energy at Sheilas that sets it apart from other rallies, a unique blend of punk-rock irreverence and deep-rooted inclusivity.
This home-built mini trike is pure Sheilas spirit on wheels.
“It’s a subcultural event,” says Remmi. “We’ve had media attention, and that’s great, but we keep it sacred and underground. If a morning show on national TV asked to cover it, we’d say no. It’s niche, and we want to keep it in that special space.”
For many attendees, Sheilas is as much a refuge as it is an annual motorcycle rally. Victorian Member of Parliament Rachel Payne, a regular attendee, described it in a speech to the state’s Legislative Council as “an incredibly empowering and inclusive space … where difference is valued.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many who have made the pilgrimage to Sheilas, but you won’t be privy to too many of the nitty-gritty details because, as Rachel Payne said at the end of her speech: “What happens at Sheilas stays at Sheilas.”
Over the years, Sheilas has of course played host to countless unforgettable memories, but one stands out in Remmi’s mind.
“We had a surprise wedding once,” she offers. “It was during Covid and weddings were restricted, but Sheilas was an outdoor event that could legally go ahead. These two women took the opportunity to get married at the festival, and nobody saw it coming.”
The ceremony was impromptu and deeply communal.
“What happens at Sheilas, stays at Sheilas.”
“The celebrants got everyone to line up and formed an aisle. The brides walked down it to the [Tina Turner song] Nutbush [City Limits]. And when the wedding was done, everyone just started dancing.
“It was corny and fun – everyone was crying and hugging. It was a really connecting moment that just felt so needed during that time.”
There‘s no dress code at Sheilas. Steampunk? Why not.
Inclusive and nonchalant
One of the defining features of Sheilas Shakedown is its exclusivity: it’s for women and gender-diverse riders only. It’s a point of contention for some, but for Remmi and the thousands who have attended over the years, it’s essential to what makes the event what it is.
“We have originally [had some pushback],” she says. “But to be honest with you, it just hasn’t been an important enough voice to really respond to.”
The focus of Sheilas is about fostering an inclusive space where women and gender-diverse riders can celebrate their love of all things motorcycling in a uniquely like-minded environment.
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down.
“If someone feels we’re discriminating, that’s fine. They’re allowed to feel like that,” she says. “To be honest with you, it’s like, if you don’t feel comfortable, just don’t come. This is just what it is. And that’s okay. And if it’s not okay with you, that’s all right as well!”
And because of that unique environment she’s created over the last eight or nine years, Remmi feels a deep sense of duty to keep the event alive.
“I just felt like all these women were turning up. And they were getting a sense of feeling important – that this event was for them. And for some women, it was the first time they’ve ever felt like that. So it was a really powerful energy. It was almost like we had no choice but to continue.”
While Sheilas Shakedown is a celebration of community and culture, it also serves a greater purpose. Each year, the festival raises funds for various charities that support women and gender-diverse individuals, reinforcing its commitment to providing a supportive experience.
Women ride from all over the country to attend this unique motorcycle event.
“We’ve donated to a number of charities over the years,” Remmi explains. “Last year, the raffle raised just under six grand for Flat Out, an organisation that supports women who have been criminalised and need support reintegrating into society.”
The event has also supported organisations like Sisters Inside, which works with incarcerated Indigenous women, and charities focused on domestic-violence prevention in rural areas.
The raffle, market stalls and other fundraising initiatives have become an integral part of Sheilas, giving attendees the opportunity to support important causes while enjoying the festival experience.
Run what you brung: choppers, dirt bikes, Frankenbuilds and vintage gems.
A year off
Now, in 2025, the ninth annual Sheilas Shakedown should have already been run across three riotous days of bikes, booze and banter. But despite the clear relaxed party vibe, organising the event – which has now grown to just under 1000 attendees annually – has taken its toll on Remmi who decided a one-year hiatus was important for her and the longevity of Sheilas.
“It’s no secret event management isn’t always a blast,” she admits. “I think Forbes magazine listed event management as the top-five most stressful jobs in the world. It’s a tough gig.
“I kept Sheilas going through Covid, through my dad’s passing, through everything. But I reached a point where every part of my body was telling me, ‘You can’t do this right now.’”
The good news? The break is only temporary. In 2026, Sheilas Shakedown will return to mark its 10-year anniversary. And if history is anything to go by, it’ll be a party to remember.
A thoroughly inclusive event where self-expression is encouraged and embraced.
For those who have never been, Remmi offers a simple promise: “Everyone’s first Sheilas is always the most memorable. Even my closest friends who have been coming for years still talk about their first. It’s completely different from any other space you’ve been in – it just blows everyone away.”
Rally-goers roll through the space with confidence, dressed how they want and welcomed as they are.
With a decade of history and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Sheilas Shakedown isn’t just surviving in an era where many long-standing Australian festivals are struggling – it’s thriving. And for thousands of women and gender-diverse riders, it remains a symbol of what motorcycling can be: rebellious, inclusive and downright raucous.
“In an era where many long-standing Australian festivals are struggling, Sheilas is thriving.”
“We’re essentially living in the golden years of female motorcycle culture,” says Remmi. “It’s never been this strong or prevalent before, ever.”
And long may it continue.
Sheilas Shakedown Gallery
The Author
You Might Also Like
