The weather conditions early on Sunday March 03, 2025 could only be described as one cheeky Rotarian put it when the sky opened and everybody took cover under the marquee, it's“great weather for ducks” But the sun shone through for the start of the race of bright yellow rubber ducks along the Maribyrnong River, The inaugural Great Essendon Rotary Duck Race began. Only outshone by the kids wearing their feathery duck hats, the racing ducks brought together kids of all ages for a day of fun.After
the skies cleared 766 bright yellow rubber ducks dived into the Maribyrnong River to begin their race to the finish line, winning great prizes for their owners. The rubber duckies were sponsored by the children and others who attended the Duck Race and everybody was on the lookout to ensure that they did not join their ducks in the Maribyrnong. Families of all ages walked along the riverside path following their duck as the speediest of the ducks reached the final line. Some ducks went rogue: picking up the tidal movements along with the very helpful breeze, while others got stuck in reeds, barrier noodles and many just didn’t really feel like rushing. The Essendon Canoe Club members were vital in keeping the ducks on course and it was almost as much fun watching them wrangle the wayward ducks as it was watching the race. It was all in the fun of the event.
the skies cleared 766 bright yellow rubber ducks dived into the Maribyrnong River to begin their race to the finish line, winning great prizes for their owners. The rubber duckies were sponsored by the children and others who attended the Duck Race and everybody was on the lookout to ensure that they did not join their ducks in the Maribyrnong. Families of all ages walked along the riverside path following their duck as the speediest of the ducks reached the final line. Some ducks went rogue: picking up the tidal movements along with the very helpful breeze, while others got stuck in reeds, barrier noodles and many just didn’t really feel like rushing. The Essendon Canoe Club members were vital in keeping the ducks on course and it was almost as much fun watching them wrangle the wayward ducks as it was watching the race. It was all in the fun of the event.Approaching the finish line, everyone enjoyed the wonderful music of the Hobsons Bay City Band resplendent in their red jackets playing some great songs. The atmosphere of a real community party was complete.
The most amazing part of this event was it was put together in a month. Despite initial discussions in November 2024, it proved difficult to co-ordinate many of the various authorities as they were closed for holidays: applications for the relevant permits were put on hold until the staff came back to work. The organisers received the last of the required approvals only a week prior to the event.
Without approvals we couldn’t start promoting the event, we couldn't sell tickets. Selling 766 ducks in only one week amazed even us.
Without approvals we couldn’t start promoting the event, we couldn't sell tickets. Selling 766 ducks in only one week amazed even us.We also had hiccups as the booking system we were to use couldn’t do what we needed it to do: adding many hours to the behind the scenes work so vital to the event. Rotarians whose clubs have held rubber duck races in the past proved to be most helpful (if not a little sceptical) that we could actually pull this off. We are very grateful for their help and advice. There is never a need to reinvent the wheel when so many of our fellow Rotarians are only too happy to share their expertise.
Community support was great and the feedback positive all round. As one grandmother commented: “It was an absolutely wonderful day. My adult children and 2-year-old grandchild loved it. It was wonderful to see so much of our community smiling and laughing and just having fun. I can't wait to come along next year and do it again. A big thankyou to all involved at the Rotary Club, you should be very proud of yourselves for a terrific fun activity.”
So why did we hold a rub
ber duck race? The Rotary Club of Essendon conducted a club review last year and one of the key aims that emerged was to make our club more visible and better known in our local com
munity: this event certainly achieved that. It exposed our club and our Rotary brand to many hundreds of locals who joined in. Now, when the public sees Essendon Rotary’s is supporting the community they will know who we are and where the money came from and want to support us again.
All in all it was a "quacker of a day!" (oh dear…)ber duck race? The Rotary Club of Essendon conducted a club review last year and one of the key aims that emerged was to make our club more visible and better known in our local community: this event certainly achieved that. It exposed our club and our Rotary brand to many hundreds of locals who joined in. Now, when the public sees Essendon Rotary’s is supporting the community they will know who we are and where the money came from and want to support us again.