A total of 41 Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club members and 14 vessels participated in this years, ‘ Cruise the Clarence’, from Easter Friday to the following Friday, raising awareness for Prostate Cancer. People came from Tasmania, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and some enjoyed the Clarence so much, they decided to spend a few more weeks on the river.

The cruise started from Iluka for a breakfast at Old Mates Place with Brocky giving us a talk on his experience with Prostate Cancer. The flotilla then went to Maclean for our official Welcome to the River by Aboriginal Elders, Auntie Elizabeth and Auntie Lenore followed by our Mayor, Peter Johnstone. Anne Farell from Maclean Rotary gave a donation of $100 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. The participants experienced the Scottish events by attending the Ceilidh, Pipebands on Parade and the 119th Highland Games

The sailors continued to Lawrence, where they were entertained by a band at the Larence Tavern and courtesy bus to the Lawrence museum, and all reports were surprised at what a gem the museum is.

At Brushgrove, an inspection of Ian Cameron’s woodwork and the Cowper Gallery with a BBQ and fun games enjoyed by all at the Smith residence.

At Grafton we were entertained by local bush poet, Bill Kearns, while seated at the longest table out of one slab of wood (seats 40), at Roches Hotel in the Captain’s Room.

The next day, at sunrise watching racehorses being exercised by being rowed behind a dinghy, then on to experience the delights of Ulmarra and the historic buildings. The next stop was Harwood where we were entertained by the “Down River Ukes” at the Harwood Hilton. The last day was through the bridge and onto Yamba with a farewell dinner at Yamba Shores Tavern.  

The donations for the week totaled $915 for Prostate Cancer and for the week all expences from the group were tallied with a total of $19,763 being spent in the Clarence economy.

Glad Smith