This year Begonia took part in the re-enactment of the landing (177 years ago) for the founding of the village that became Melbourne.

Andrew and I collected Begonia at the APYC at 7.15 am on the 28/8 and towed her to Williamstown where she was launched at Seaworks. She was then taken in tow by our 'gaffer" for the trip up the river to South wharf and handed over to The Enterprize crew as their landing craft.

The weather was fine but cold and the crowd hard to find until around 11.00am when a school group turned up to see our Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and his entourage arrive via river cruise boat. Shortly thereafter Enterprize sailed up the river to complete a circuit of Docklands and then fired her cannon to salute the waiting crowd.

All the crew were in period costume and the landing party boarded Begonia and rowed ashore to be greeted by the Lord Mayor. Official speeches over, the party began with music and interactive displays.

With Begonia's part complete, we ferried her back to South wharf and after lunch towed her back to Seaworks, loaded her onto her trailer and took her back to Albert Park for a well earned rest after a very eventful day.

Chris Kelly