Top day: A great crowd was on hand at the Koyuga Hall and Recreation Reserve for the community's Australia Day festivities.
Forget the Melbourne Cup, Koyuga Hall and Recreation Reserve was the venue for the race that stops the nation (or at least part of it).
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The Australia Day yabby race is one of the biggest days on the calendar, with the event described as “massive” for the community.
“It was fantastic, the best day in years,” Koyuga Inc treasurer and booking officer Amanda Souter said.
Trackside: The yabby races at Koyuga on Australia Day captivated the crowd.
“I have no idea how many people came along, I was too busy selling raffle tickets at the door for the monster raffle, but I suppose it had to be over 100.
“I jokingly said to someone that we needed to start a Men’s Shed, so their first project could be building a grandstand so everyone could get a proper view of the yabby race.
“Everyone thought that was a bit funny.
“Literally I had to stand on a chair, because I couldn’t get a good picture, there were so many people under the verandah, it was massive.”
People came to Koyuga from far and wide, including a team of 12 people visiting the region as part of flood recovery services.
“They were looking for something different to do, and they had a lovely time,” Mrs Souter said.
The big race was taken out by past winner Kirsten Church.
Winners are grinners: Kirsten Church won the Koyuga yabby race on Australia Day.
The race forms a key part of the Australia Day festivities, which also include a barbecue, ceremony and the monster raffle.
After a couple of tough years, the monster raffle was a major fundraiser for the Koyuga Hall, with Catherine Franklin taking first prize, Janice Wild second and the Halden family third.
“We would particularly like to thank Greenhams for being the centrepiece of first prize, meat valued somewhere between $500 and $600,” Mrs Souter said.
“I would really like to thank the committee for organising the day, in particular Chris and Paul, they organised Australia Day, and the Campaspe Shire for sponsoring the day, they contributed money for the free barbecue and soft drinks.”
Mrs Souter extended thanks to all the Koyuga Hall committee members that helped organise the day, including the monster raffle.
Pride: The Australian flag flies at full mast at Koyuga.
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