Ali Bohn, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

The river was decorated with an array of wildlife and household replicas last Wednesday as the annual (and now iconic) Lilo Race took place for Australia Day.

Flamingos, swans, lounge chairs, traditional lilos, and even thongs floated down the mighty Murray River; quite a sight to see from the banks on a stunning January morning.

This year, the float, which is a major fundraiser for Koondrook Barham Raiders Football and Netball Club, was run a little differently. In the past, ‘floaters’ arrived at the same time and left together but due to current restrictions, people were allocated a one-hour period to make their way down the river in increments.

With paramedics on standby, life jackets mandatory and age constraints on who could participate, safety was the number one priority. There were also a number of speedboats placed along the river should anyone come into any trouble and, of course, in case of sightings of the notorious Murray River Sand Slug!

As always, it was wonderful to see families floating together and getting creative with their form of floatation, as participants let the water do all the work while they relaxed with the morning sun on their backs.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 3 February 2022.