Street Procession, 1962, Mary Barnes, Lorraine Seymour and Dawn McMillan in “ROMA” Skiers Jan Renwick (top), Fay Munnerley and Heather Emanual.
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Eighty years ago, a group of river enthusiasts gathered in the Deniliquin Town Hall to create what would become one of the region’s most enduring community clubs.
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Led by founding president Tom Hetherington, with R. E. Whittney and S. W. Heilbronn elected as vice‑presidents, the newly formed Deniliquin Boat Club set out to build a home for boating, fellowship and river life in Deni.
What began as a modest idea has grown into a vibrant institution that continues to shape generations of locals.
Tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, the club will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a full day of free events at its Riverview Drive headquarters, inviting the community to share in the history, the stories and the spirit that have defined the club for eight decades.
Morning parade
The celebrations will begin with a colourful boat parade through the CBD. Participating vessels will leave the Boat Club at 10.30am, travelling from End Street to Hardinge Street before looping back to the riverfront.
The parade will mark the official start of the anniversary program and pay tribute to the club’s long connection with the Edward River.
Afternoon displays and activities
From 2pm, the club will open its bar and offer grazing boxes, with pre‑orders preferred. A river closure will be in place from 2pm to 5pm, supervised by the Deniliquin Rescue Squad, VRA Rescue NSW, to allow for a series of on‑water demonstrations.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors can explore a static display of boats showcasing a wide range of styles and eras, along with a historical exhibition inside the clubrooms that reflects the club’s evolution since 1946.
On the water, spectators will be treated to trick skiing by Erica and Laura Hayes, both Deniliquin skiers who have competed at world level.
Members of the Waterskiing Show Team will present a show skiing display, while Deni Boat Club members will demonstrate water skiing, barefooting and Ski School skills.
Boats from the Deniliquin Boat Club, the Seacraft Syndicate Boat Owners Association and the Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association will also take part in the afternoon program.
Evening celebrations
Formalities will begin at 5.30pm with official speeches, the presentation of Life Membership and the cutting of the 80th anniversary cake.
Dinner will be available, with pre‑orders through the Deni Boat Club website www.deniboatclub.com.
From 7pm, the celebrations will shift into full party mode with live music from Melbourne band Bedrock, rounding out a day designed to honour the club’s past while celebrating the community that continues to keep it thriving.
Original Clubhouse at McLean Beach. Norm Barnett’s “THUNDERBIRD“, Les Lloyd and Allan Bradshaw in “ROMA” and Alan Reid with Alan Mann in “CHARMAGNE”, 1958.
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