1Hanh and I ventured to the Morgan Living Festival in South Australia for the weekend 14 and 15 May. Although it was a long drive, it was a worthwhile weekend away. We towed Mars the distance which was a test for our new / old motor home.

The festival held in the small Murray Riverside town featured short Paddle Steamer cruises and a putt-putt show. Also present were the Sunday Market vendors, music and an assembly of classic caravans. There was also a dinner held in the Heritage Museum on the Saturday night. The weekend festival was to benefit the restoration of the river barge Cadell which was alongside the old wharf.

The putt-putt boat side of the festival was well attended by our South Australian WBA colleagues with a variety of putt putts from the traditional open boats and boats with cabins, even a “honeymoon boat” as it was referred to. Both Saturday and Sunday featured an on water challenge for the boats and on Saturday there was a competitive tug of war. I joined the SA WBA team but we were easily eliminated in the first round by the Paddle Steamer Oscar W team.

Hanh and I were also able to meet up with friends made during our Murray River trip last year.

Andrew Campbell.

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Membership is open to all wooden boat enthusiasts. Many members own boats, others do not, but all enjoy the chance to get together and "muck about with boats". Their boats include rowing boats, putt-putts, radio controlled models, pond yachts, canoes, kayaks, steam-powered boats, sailing dinghies, dayboats and ocean-going yachts.

The Wooden Boat Association is based in Melbourne, with regular sailing days scheduled on Albert Park Lake, as well as other venues around Melbourne, and at least one weekend each year elsewhere in the state.

Especially welcome is the first-time wooden boat builder or restorer, who can expect to receive ample advice and assistance in getting their dream onto the water.

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  • Use of the Association's own boats, two traditional sailing boats, Begonia and Lindsay Symons, our canoe Stringybark, and our extremely rare Port Philip 12.
  • Access to the Association's extensive library of boatbuilding and other nautical books.
  • Companionship with sister associations in other states

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