The official handover of a brand new 5.2 metre long Clark Legend Rescue Boat to Corowa Rescue Squad took place on Monday.
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“This is something we thought was unobtainable at one stage,” squad president Rob Slot told The Free Press.
“We’d been talking about getting a new boat for probably the last 15 years.”
But over the past two years, fundraising was stepped up and with two major donors – Corowa RSL Club and the Rae Taylor Foundation - and several other important donors, their wish to add to their flat punt for the past 35 years or so has come true.
“Getting the new boat, for us it’s like going from a VW to a Mercedes,” Rob said. “We will still have the flat punt. But with choppy water, water could come into the punt, particularly with instances on Lake Mulwala.”
Features of the new approximate $53,000 Clark Legend boat include a hoist which can life a 180kg weight and a fish finder which of course can locate a person.
In officially handing over the boat, Corowa RSL Club Chief Executive Officer Peter Norris said that as a community club, the RSL considers the project so significant to the town and surrounds.
“Being a river town, we want to ensure the safety of locals and visitors to town and this new rescue boat can play such an important role in that regard,” the CEO said.
Rob expressed the squad’s appreciation to Corowa RSL Club, the Rae Taylor Foundation, Rivalea, Corowa Lions Club, Uncle Tobys, Corowa Rotary Club, Corowa Apex, Clark Boats, Maverick Marine, Federation Council and Sheldon’s Signs.
The rescue squad president expressed a big thank you to the community for its support. “Without all this support, it just couldn’t happen,” Rob added.
In its 41st year, Corowa Rescue Squad is always on the look-out for new members. The squad’s 14 active members and two trainees would welcome new members who have to be aged at least 18-years. The squad’s 16 members includes three females.
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