Deniliquin Boat Club was completely surrounded by water. Photos by Mick Summers.
See in 2023 in style at the Deniliquin Boat Club’s New Year’s Eve Party, and help the local committee with its flood recovery efforts at the same time.
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The end of year bash will double as a fundraiser for the Boat Club, which has conservatively estimated more than $20,000 will be needed to complete flood damage repairs of their facilities.
A full assessment of the damage is yet to be undertaken, but Boat Club Commodore Craig Druitt said the biggest costs will be reinstating the levee and the club’s sprawling lawns after months of inundation.
The club’s sprinkler irrigation system and pumps will also need to be replaced.
An assessment of the club house foundations is also required.
The Deniliquin Boat Club clubhouse was lifted on to blocks to avoid inundation.
Reducing the cost of flood recovery significantly for the club was the foresight to allow for buildings to be raised as required.
“It was a very industrious and clever idea,” Druitt said.
“Volunteers did work in floodwaters, safely, to disconnect and lift parts of the clubhouse on blocks to avoid any inundation of the clubhouse.
“Our new toilet block was also raised and put on blocks.
“We will need to rebuild the levee and look at what might need to be done with the swimming pool.
“We haven’t done full costings yet, but we estimate we may need $20,000 to $25,000.”
Druitt said it may be mid to late January before the boat club can be operational again, which is why the Deniliquin Play on the Plains Festival Inc has kindly donated use of its Deni Ute Muster festival site for the New Year’s Eve bash.
The event will be held in the corporate centre, with finger food by Cafe 100, live music from The Baker Boys and bus transport to and from the site.
The strictly 18 and over event - which is supported by Edward River Council - will begin at 6pm and will continue through until after the New Year has been rung in.
Druitt said as well as being a fundraiser for flood recovery, the New Year’s Eve Party is a way to thank Boat Club members, other volunteers and the community for their efforts during the flood crisis.
“The Boat Club is just one part of a community at the Riverview Estate and surrounds, and our members played their part in protecting the area,” he said.
“We have a fantastic young and enthusiastic committee full of good people who are building a great connection with their community.
“Fill was supplied out of Riverview for levees that will need to be replaced.
“The Riverview levee ran through the Boat Club grounds and adjoining homes, but the club house was outside of it.
“But everyone pitched in, and it was a great thing to witness.”
For more information about the New Year’s Eve Party, including the soon-to-be-released bus timetable, go to the Deniliquin Boat Club’s Facebook page.
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