The Great Essendon Rotary Duck Race

On Sunday, March 3, the Rotary Club of Essendon, Vic, hosted a whimsical community event that had locals flocking to the banks of the Maribyrnong River – The Great Essendon Rotary Duck Race.

Despite the morning’s drizzle – prompting one member to quip “it’s great weather for ducks!” – the skies cleared just in time for the inaugural Great Essendon Rotary Duck Race.

A sea of 766 bright yellow rubber ducks bobbed and weaved their way down the river, cheered on by hundreds of spectators, many of whom were children decked out in feathered duck hats and waving mini duck toys sold on the day.

The race itself was anything but straightforward. While some ducks surged ahead with the help of the current and a friendly breeze, others staged aquatic rebellions – veering off course, getting tangled in reeds, or coming to a leisurely halt. Even the best-laid duck-herding plans faced challenges, as barrier noodles unexpectedly ‘ducked out’ at the last moment. Fortunately, the Essendon Canoe Club swooped in to save the day, rounding up the more adventurous racers and adding to the entertainment.

Live music by the Hobsons Bay City Band brought extra vibrancy to the riverside festivities, creating a carnival-like atmosphere as families followed the action from the banks.

Remarkably, the event came together in just one month – a feat in itself, considering delays over the Christmas period meant permit applications couldn’t be finalised until mid-February. The final green light came only a week before the event, kicking off a whirlwind of activity that saw all 766 duck tickets sold in just seven days.

The idea for the duck race was born out of the club’s recent strategic review, which highlighted the need to boost local visibility. Judging by the turnout, the laughter and the heartfelt feedback from attendees, the event was an overwhelming success, with many now associating Essendon Rotary with fun, family and community connection.

It was an absolutely wonderful day,” said one attendee. “My adult children and two-year-old grandchild loved it. It was wonderful to see so much of our community smiling and laughing and just having fun. I can’t wait to come along next year and do it again.

With a splash of humour, a touch of chaos and a whole lot of heart, this inaugural duck race proved to be a memorable way to put Rotary in the spotlight – and all in all, it was truly a quacker of a day.