It was a very happy birthday for Sydney's oldest Dragon Boat Club when the Port Hacking Dragon Boats celebrated turning 35 yrs old and signed a lease on their new clubhouse at Wonga rd Yowie Bay on Saturday.
Formed in 1983 Port Hacking is a competitive paddling club with around 60 members running two mixed and male and female senior A and senior B Dragon Boat crews.
The late Warren Ford was a long-standing President of the Port Hacking Dragon Boat Club and he was instrumental in getting the club started on a good footing and purchasing the club's first dragon boat which is now called "Wassa's Dream"
He sadly died just a few weeks before the delivery of the boat and his family created the annual Warren Ford award in his memory. In the early 1980's the club had to use an old Oyster barge as a training craft.
Port Hacking club coach Lorrae Fitzgerald said their strength was in the Over 50's and they just missed out on a World Title berth this year in France.
"We are now aiming for the 2021 World Masters titles in Japan"she said.
Sponsored by the Tradies Club ,President Ken Fitzgerald said they had been paddling out of Wonga road for 35 years and it was like being a young person and moving out into a new home.
"We will turn our clubhouse into a community hub and build up the sport of Dragon Boat racing in the Sutherland Shire" Ken said.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce said that the Shire had a lot of buildings that aren't used to their full capacity and he thought it fitting the disused Scout Hall should be their home.
"Sport teams are like being in a family and that is a big part of living in the Sutherland Shire "Carmelo said
Vicki Fulton was awarded the Warren Ford Award for clubman of the year for her coaching,commitment and committee work ,she also made the 35th celebration cake cut by the Mayor and Attorney General Mark Speakman on the day.