2011 Parade Wrap-up & Prize Winners
Friday 16th December 2011

Good morning friends and brilliant boaties!

Just wanted to email you the winners that have been drawn out of a hat this morning, and also to thank you all so much for being so wonderfully supportive in the wake of our "cracking Christmas Boat Parade!". Renee, Paul and I are so happy to have been a part of this experience, and to have had you all along for the ride - let's face it, it was a sparkling night!

Thank you all for your understanding and support, we are glad that Trev and his friends are okay after their hairy experience. It's always a tough call to cancel an event such as this that is so looked forward to and anticipated by boaties, crowds of families and the canal-side residents. I know that people spend a great deal of time, effort and money on decorating their boats and houses. At least those that braved the storm were treated to a lights spectacle by some of the bigger boats that were able to batten down the hatches and soldier on after the storm passed.

In a situation like this, people's safety is paramount, hence our hurried phone calls to all of you immediately after the storm. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to ensure everyone's safety.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to restart or reschedule the event, given people's personal situations. It's quite costly to put on an event like this, and given the time of year and tides etc, it makes it very difficult to reschedule.

The tally of the amount raised for Beautiful You Cancer Charity is sitting at $5,266 - an amazing effort for a cancelled event. I will be speaking to Deb Clayton about providing receipts to you all. As the Media and Sponsors fled the Wharf Tavern for the comfort of home, the amount unspent on the bar tab has been added to the entry fee money, as well as some other donations from amazingly generous people that weren't even in the parade. So I'm calling the night a success and a win for the Charity - which is an important positive to take from this experience!

I have received some lovely emails from people that brought tears to my eyes - being involved in this event has quite frankly changed my life. If I have my way, I will definitely be involved again next year on some level, and I look forward to seeing all your happy, smiling faces again! If anyone has any feedback that they would like to email to me, including ideas for next year, I would be delighted to receive. One thing that has continually come from all of you is that you love the event, and will not be put off next year! Another positive is that it certainly put Mooloolaba on the world map - a friend of mine in Mooloolaba received a copy of the Youtube footage from her friend in Germany!!

Thank you all again so much for coming on this journey with us.

Now, congratulations to the following boats for being lucky enough to be pulled out of the hat by a couple of kids:

1st Prize: Black Gold (would like prize donated to Beautiful You to use as a fundraising prize)
2nd Prize: Undies
3rd Prize: Sunshine
4th Prize: Mr Sneaky Sneak
5th Prize: Nautic Boy
6th Prize: Cat-a-Pult (would like prize donated to Beautiful You to use as a fundraising prize)
7th Prize: Predator

I have contacted everyone, and will drop all prizes to people next week. Well done to everyone. Thank you for your generosity and warm wishes. May you all have a happy, safe and propserous Christmas and New Year period, and I look forward to seeing you at next year's parade.

Warm regards and best wishes,

Sally Hansen
0427 117 225

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Thanks!

Hi to all our friends and supporters,

Thank you all so much for your lovely warm thoughts and positive feedback after the dreadful weather forced us to cancel the event. People's safety always comes first in a situation like this, and to cancel an event is the absolute last thing that any event organiser wants to do. Sometimes we just don't have a choice though.

After speaking to all the boat owners entered in the event, there is just no chance of rescheduling the event. We have only one weekend left until Christmas, and many of the boats entered are working boats - they can't leave their lights on indefinitely.

Many of the lights were impacted by the severe lightening strikes that happened around Mooloolaba - there were a couple of other direct hits too, but not associated with the parade.

For those of the public that stuck it out through the storm, you would've seen that many of the bigger boats hid out and then just cruised up and down the river and canals, waving to the crowds that were still there. Every single boatie contacted is extremely keen and looking forward to next year - so no deterence there!

Thanks again to everyone that has been so supportive and positive about the situation. It broke my heart to do it, but that's event management for you!

Sally Hansen
Event Organiser

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2011 MOOLOOLABA CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

This year's Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade is shaping up to be the best! The event provides great family entertainment and viewing of up to 50 vessels completely decorated with Christmas Lights and promenading through the waterways of Mooloolaba and Bundilla.

The best viewing locations are listed here and up to 10,000 spectators will be lining the waterways of Mooloolaba to see this spectacle - a great family event, sponsored by local businesses.

All proceeds go to Beautiful You cancer charity, and they will be out shaking tins for donations so be sure to bring your shrapnel and support this great local charity helping families through the journey of cancer.

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Boat Entry

Enter your boat in this fun, family event and you could win some great prizes!
View the Entry Details page for more information or Download the Entry Form

NOTE: In order to ensure that the Boat Parade went ahead this year, it was essential to set up a joint account between the Owner of the event and the Organiser of the event. It was not timely to create a new incorporated organisation for the Boat Parade, however, in future years, this is something that may be considered. This is a business account and not a personal account. Please be reassured that all monies not committed to the budget of the Boat Parade will be donated to Beautiful You Cancer Charity, which provides support and assistance to families going through the journey of cancer. If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to contact Sally Hansen on 0411 319 690.