Geelong RiverFest

Geelong RiverFest, Geelong’s largest community event on the Barwon River was held on the banks of the Barwon River on Saturday 4 October, raising funds for Geelong’s most vulnerable people.

A major fund raising event for Give Where You Live, this year Give Where You Live raised close to $40,000 from this year’s RiverFest. The beautiful weather brought out a huge crowd over 600 people throughout the day and lots of fun was had by all down on the Barwon.

“It’s not just a rowing event but also a great community event and the atmosphere was fantastic,” Bill Mithen, Give Where You Live CEO  said.

“There were plenty of people out on the water, but it was als o great to see so many people stopping by for a sausage or a drink in the Little Creatures or Clyde Park Vineyard tents.

The 4.5km “race the eight” fun run had pitted runners against a boat crew, he said.

“It was something we held for the first time this year and although the boat came out ahead, some of the runners from the Geelong Cross Country Club really pushed them and got very close,” he said.

Mr Mithen said the event had raised close to $40,000, which will be added to the pool of money available in Give Where You Live’s annual grant allocations.

“Last year we allocated $2 million in grants and this year we are aiming to make it $2.2 million, which all goes towards addressing disadvantage in Geelong,” he said.

A team of about 40 volunteers from local rowing clubs, as well as Geelong College and Geelong Grammar, had helped make the event possible, he said.

 

 

Give Where You Live would like to thank all participants, businesses, organisers and volunteers for ensuring the day’s success. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the River in 2015!

Click here to view the 2014  Geelong RiverFest Results