Boats Flock From Near And Far For Reborn Festival

Newcastle Herald

Friday March 18, 2005

TORONTO Wharf has been rebuilt and that means Lake Macquarie Heritage Afloat is back after a four-year absence.

The Easter long weekend (Saturday, March 26, Sunday, March 27) spectacular focuses attention on traditional and classic boats designed before 1975 but built or restored at any time.

Toronto Town Co-ordinator Anne Murphy said 79 boats had registered for the event.

"We've got people bringing their boats from Tasmania, from Queensland, from Sydney, the Central Coast and locally," Ms Murphy said. "In fact we've reached capacity.

"In spite of that we have people who have indicated they'll be coming from Sydney and they'll moor off the event."

The Australian Heritage Fleet will be represented by Protex, a restored 20th-century motor boat. She was built about 1908 and can carry 20 passengers.

The Protex was acquired by the fleet in 1981 and she is a sister ship to the Wangi Queen.

The festival utilises the Toronto foreshore launching ramps and the enclosure for a wide range of activities.

"We'll see steam, sail, motor and oared craft of all shapes and sizes," Ms Murphy said.

"One of the many fun things planned is the Quick and Dirty boat building competition.

"Each team is given limited equipment to build a boat on Saturday and the boats will be raced around a triangular course on Sunday.

"The winner will be the first one across the line."

Saturday activities will include an exhibition of boats, chartered boat cruises, foreshore entertainment and a treasure hunt.

Saturday will also be the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service 000 Sailing Day, offering the opportunity to crew on a yacht and sail in a fun-filled event to be held out of the Royal Motor Yacht Club at Toronto.

The Triple Club Sailing Day Challenge will be hosted on the Sunday.

The Blessing Of The Fleet is timed for 11.30am that day.

"Heritage Afloat is about a lot more than water-based activities," Ms Murphy said. There would be a lot happening on land too, and that included amusements, an ice-cream eating competition and face-painting for the littlies.

"There'll be food too - and lots of entertainment," she said.

"The Hunter Pirates will be there on Saturday and they will host a shoot-out competition."