Challenge success

Organisers are thrilled with the success of the biggest ever Wimmera River Challenge at the weekend and expect the event to continue to grow.

The event was at Dimboola’s Riverside Holiday Park, with about 300 members of the Wimmera’s indigenous community as well as community organisations and groups taking part.

A corporate challenge was hosted for Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative’s partner organisations on Friday afternoon, with a barbecue lunch, welcome to country and traditional dances.

Organisations also participated in fun competitions and activities.

Speakers included Louise Lyons of Victorian Aborignal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Victoria Police Wimmera superindent Paul Margetts, family violence action group Dhelk Dja’s Jo Clarke and Goolum Goolum’s Aunty Hazel Mcdonald.

On Saturday, members of the indigenous community paddled along the Wimmera River with police and corporate partners.

The river challenge initially began as a way to foster closer ties between the Aboriginal community and police, but has expended to include other community groups.

Goolum Goolum’s Dean O’loughlin thanked fellow organisers Deanne King and Jeremy Newell, as well as Victoria Police’s Les Power for helping to create the challenge six years ago.

He also thanked the Wimmera indigenous community and the numerous volunteers who helped make the weekend a success.

Mr O’loughlin said he expected the challenge to continue to increase in popularity.

“This was the most people we have ever had by far,” he said.

“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from everyone involved.”