Boats get revved up for fundraising weekend

THE inaugural Eppalock Extravaganza took place at the Victorian Speed Boat Club’s base at the lake over the weekend after an initial event planned for Renmark in South Australia was cancelled due to flooding.

The event saw more than 50 ski boats made before the year 2000 hit the water to enjoy a poker run and help raise money for a local organisation.

Event organiser Greg Godsell said he was excited to have picked up the event and wants to keep it going.

“This is the Inaugural Eppalock Extravaganza; the first of what we hope are many for the club,” he said.

“Over 50 and closer to 60 boats coming are coming this weekend, coming from places as far away as South Australia and New South Wales.”

Mr Godsell said the club had hoped to host an event sooner, but the state of the lake hadn’t allowed it until increased inflow raised water levels.

“It’s good because we have got the water back,” he said.

“We had plans to do it for so long, but we haven’t had the water, and now the water is back at safe boating levels.

“It’s unfortunate that levels came back with some bad circumstances for quite a lot of people.”

There was no actual boat racing on the weekend, with the event aimed at building community and raising money Mr Godsell said.

“We are doing a Poker Run to help raise money for charity, each boat pays a $50 entry fee,” he said.

“This isn’t an event that we run for the money, it’s a community event that can help us contribute to something useful.

“It’s a bit of excitement but it’s not a race, we just cruised around in a big group and had a lot of fun.”