Online raffle buoying dragon boats

THE SpringFest Online Raffle will be drawn in just under two weeks, so there’s still plenty of time to purchase a ticket, or ten, in support of the Rotary Club of Ballarat’s major fundraiser.

Each year, SpringFest’s proceeds are directed to community partner organisations within Ballarat, and the local and international projects of Rotarians.

Rotary Club of Ballarat’s Greg Honeyman said one of the grassroots groups benefiting from the raffle is the Ballarat Chinese Dragon Boat Club.

“Dragon boats are quickly identified by the gorgeous and spectacularly coloured dragon heads adorning the front of the boats, and with dragon tails at the stern,” he said.

“Dragon boats were originally made of teak, but the modern versions are made of carbon fibre or fiberglass, whilst the practice of dragon boat racing has a history that goes back at least 2000 years.

“Dragon Boats in full flight are a joy to behold, with their 20 or so rowers and a drummer, whose job is to beat out a rhythm for the rowers to match with their strokes.”

The other SpringFest beneficiaries are Bungaree Primary School, Miners Rest Primary School and Kindergarten, Mount Egerton Primary School, and Phoenix P-12 Community College.

Eureka Trailers, G. Gay & Co, the Regent Cinemas, Raintree Art, Ballarat Taxis, and Cyclescape have all donated prizes to generate funds for these community partners.

“Over the past 20 years, SpringFest has distributed in excess of $750,000 for the benefit of our local community,” Mr Honeyman said.

Visit rafflelink.com.au/springfest2021 for raffle tickets. Try dragon-boating with the BCDB Club every Wednesday and Saturday from Durham Point.