Like a scene from yesteryear, a number of timber-built boats recently descended on Lake Talbot. The Classic Australian Wooden Powerboat Association members are fond of Narrandera and have had their “annual gathering” at Lake Talbot since 2002.

The association’s president Nathan Reed said this year’s event was the first time the group had made it to Lake Talbot for three years due to the “annual gathering” being cancelled because of Covid.

“We had 10 boats this year – they’re all timber boats,” Mr Reed said. “They range from about 12 feet (about 3.6 metres) to 19 feet (about 5.8m)

“We just go there and run the boats on the lake and have some fun. We use it as our association’s annual gathering and hold our annual general meeting there as well.”

Association president for the past four years, Mr Reed said the group had made Narrandera one of its favourite destinations for two decades.

“We go every Melbourne Cup weekend and drive around the waters and some do a bit of water-skiing,” he said. About 30 people attended this year’s event.

“Normally we have more with some coming from South Australia but they couldn’t make it this time. It was mainly people from New South Wales and Victoria, but we had one bloke come from Tasmania.”

The Narrandera gathering is just one of many events the association is involved in as they host quite a few events, mainly in NSW and Victoria.

Because members are so far apart organisers try to keep the events in NSW and Victoria. They have boats in static displays at various events like car shows.

Mr Reed praised the facilities at the lake and at Lake Talbot Tourist Park. “The caravan park at Lake Talbot is great for accommodation for us and you really couldn’t ask for a better spot,” he said.

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 10 November 2022.