JLU West: goats for charity

Members of JLU West with their finest creation the Goat Boat, named in jest but a great fundraiser.

By SMNSN Kenneth Maciver

Joint Logistic Unit-West (JLU-W) recently took part in the ‘2003 Rotary Kinetic Sculpture Race’ once again setting the challenge for other Navy units to follow. Like many other teams, JLU-W entered a sculpture to be proud of.

She was named in jest and called the ‘Goat Boat’. She was designed, built and painted by JLU-W sailors who also participated in the event, LSSN Meyer, SMNSNs Maciver, Loveday, Doherty, Brougham and Fisher and was built from scrap materials and painted using excess paint.

The day arrived for the launch. She managed to attract some well-deserved attention from within HMAS Stirling. Success, “It floated... Hooray...it floated!” A big sigh of relief, (especially from those on board).

She was ready for the big race, it was time for HMAS Stirling personnel to empty their wallets and raid their money jars. The boat travelled the base to collect donations for the Rotary Health Research Fund. In just three hours the team raised a total of $456.15.

Saturday February 22, the big day finally arrived beginning at the Hay Street Mall, Perth City, where judging on the sculptures started. A pre-race brief was given and final safety inspections completed. The ‘Goat Boat’ held its own, passing all inspections with flying colours.

At this stage all 16 sculptures were ready to pedal their hearts out for the yearly charity event. The starting horn blew and they were all away. The ‘Goat Boat’ supporters were cheering and blinding the team with camera flashes.

The cheering on the side of the road was deafening as the teams hustled each other for the prime race position.

Racing through the streets of Perth with the Police Service directing traffic to allow the sculptures to reach their maximum speed. The navigators should have read their maps a little better as many teams either took shortcuts, or simply got lost.

The Goat Boat completed the first 17km of the race in almost two hours. Lunch was a welcome sight after having peddled so far.

At 1.30pm the riders were ready for the next stage, the water race, then back through the streets of Perth to Trinity College and the finish line.

This second part of the race only took around 50 minutes to complete. As they lay back from exhaustion, the guys could the see remains of the sculptures that did not manage to finish. Buckled wheels and sinking taking their toll.

The Navy boys won the Speed Award and came in a respectable second overall. The Rotary Foundation has since extended an invitation to JLU-W and any other Military units to compete in next year’s event. An exciting day and great fun.

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