Western Australia: Bunbury

Western Australia

Bunbury Crewsaders
PO Box 4130
East Bunbury WA 6230
tel: 1300 889 566
or SAWA@dragonsabreast.com.au
and bunbury@dragonsabreast.com.au

CREWSADERS BOAT LAUNCH, BUNBURY WESTERN AUSTRALIA

On Saturday 1 September the Crewsaders Dragons Abreast Bunbury launched their refurbished boat at the Bunbury Rowing Club on the Leschenault Inlet in Bunbury, Western Australia.

The boat which was one of the original dragon boats in Bunbury, was generously donated to the group by its owners Cristal Global (formerly Lyondell – Millennium Inorganic Chemicals). Deidre (a Crewsader) and Mike Moat from Front Line Signs organised donation of the paint and painting through Jason and Danielle from Brash Panel and Paint, and the sign writing was done by Front Line Signs.

Dragon Boat race caller, Keith Harvey was Master of Ceremonies, whilst Bunbury Mayor, David Smith, formally named the boat and performed the Dotting of the Eye Ceremony with the help of Crewsaders Coach, Jill Harrison who gave a brief history of the Crewsaders and Dragons Abreast.

The boat has been named The Estuary Juille in recognition of the Leschenault Estuary where the girls train and Juille for the founders of the Crewsaders - Jill Harrison, Julie Scott, June Foulds, and Janette McLean.

The boat was launched and the girls did one circuit of the city end of the Inlet before performing the Petals on the Water Ceremony, after which the Crewsaders and their guests enjoyed a scrumptious morning tea prepared by the girls.

The girls are excited and proud of their new boat and it will certainly bring a bright splash of colour to the Leschenault Inlet on Saturday mornings when the girls train.

New life jackets have also recently been donated by the Bunbury City Council. Breast Screen WA have donated merchandise so that the Crewsaders can put together a welcome pack for new paddlers and the Crewsaders are now wearing their new polo shirts screen printed by Lucy Pries from Run Wild.

Three of the Crewsaders, Joyce Pitman, Deidre Moat and Helen Martella have recently been taking a group of eleven breast cancer survivors through the first Encore Program in Bunbury. Sponsored by Avon, the general exercise and support course helps counteract both the physical and emotional effects of breast cancer surgery.

The Crewsaders wish to thank Cristal Global, Front Line Signs, Brash Panel and Paint, the Bunbury City Council and the Forza Dragon Boat Club for their generous support.

Jill Harrison 14 September 2007