Ducks to race again in annual event

A WATERFALL of plastic ducks will descend from the Barwon Heads Footbridge over the Easter weekend as the annual Great Barwon River Duck Race prepares for its return.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove, the April 19 event will involve about 2,000 ducks racing from the footbridge to the Ozone Jetty.

All funds raised from the event are donated to local charities and community and environmental groups.

Event organiser Heather Willson said the event has been running for about 23 years and was originally part of the Festival of the Sea, with the Ocean Grove Rotary club organising it for the past four years.

“All we want to do is make money to give to local charities, and we give out quite a lot.

“Last year we made $30,000, all of which went to community groups. Rotary Clubs don’t take expenses, we fund all around and we give it all out.”

Ocean Grove SLSC will be in the water with their IRBs ready to collect the ducks and ensure they do not escape into the mangroves, before the Scouts wash, dry and repack them ready for next year.

Ms Willson said the event had continued to grow over the years and is now a favourite for the community.

“It’s a slightly daggy event, but everybody likes it, we’ve got grandparents whose children raced ducks and now their children are racing ducks, so it’s multi-generational.”

The race will begin with the corporate event at 11am, followed by the Quacker Kids race at 11.15 and the major race, including 2,000 ducks, at 11.20am.

Ducks are available for purchase online for $10 each, or $200 for corporate ducks.

Several local businesses have provided all the race prizes for free including RT Edgar, Hendry Cycles with a scooter, $300 at Barwon Heads IGA and plenty more with more than 30 prizes up for grabs.

“Rotary are most grateful for the generous support of businesses each year,” Ms Willson said.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to rotaryoceangrove.org.au/great-barwon-river-duck-race