Tourists and locals enjoy their day at the beach
Cobram families and visitors to the district flocked to Thompsons Beach to enjoy a pleasant family day out on Sunday at the Easter River Beaches Festival.
Cloudy skies did not stop families from relaxing and enjoying their time together while the youngsters joined in a host of activities and checked out a display by Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue.
There was mini golf, a jumping castle, toy library and a sandcastle competition to keep them busy while they waited for the clock to tick around to the day’s main event, the duck race, with 2000 competitors.
Resident koala ‘Thommo’ was out and about early in the day and had a bird’s eye view of people arriving to enjoy a coffee before it all began, while more than 1000 festival-goers continued to arrive right up until the time of the big race, with all tickets sold 30 minutes before.
Four families, including mums, dads and kids, pedalled their bicycles from the RACV Resort where they were staying for Easter after arriving from Melbourne, while others walked their families and canine friends along local tracks to meet friends and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Murray River and surrounding bushland.
A group of five Melbourne friends who studied law at university together brought along their canine friends for the Easter break and I’m not sure who was having the most fun, the ‘hoomans’ or their fur babies.
Food trucks with a variety of yummy hot food tempted festival-goers, together with coffee, drinks, pizza and tasty treats from the Beach café, while an ice-cream van was popular too despite the cooler weather.
Dave Daley performed some great easy listening music continuously throughout the afternoon, to popular demand.
While the rubber ducks were highly competitive and placegetters juggled for position at the finish line, Cobram woman Gloria Charteris came out the delighted winner of $1000 with her little yellow duck after purchasing three tickets during the week. Second place went to Abby Curnick and third was Carol Riley.
A day such as this cannot be successful without the efforts of many volunteers, particularly the hard-working crew of Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism under president Nikky Goldsworthy, Cobram-Barooga Anglers, Cobram Runners Club, Cobram Canoe Club and all who assist each year towards its great success.
Funds raised are ploughed back into hosting other community events which continue to be drawcards to the town and district.
It was wonderful to see the Beach café operational again after a long hiatus caused by the devastation of last year’s floods.
The good news is I believe the café will open each Thursday through to Sunday for the time being, so come on, Cobram, support your local business, it needs us.