More than 200 spectators gathered at the Lake Hawea dam yesterday morning to watch a mass dumping of 925 yellow plastic ducks into the Hawea River outlet for the start of a 15km novelty race.
About three and a-half hours later, the mass arrival of the yellow flotilla at the Hawea River swing-bridge caused mayhem for race stewards as they rushed to scoop the numbered plastic ducks.
The winning duck, No 1848, has earned its lucky owner $1000 through a duck-race raffle, which was organised to raise funds for the $1.56 million redevelopment of the Lake Hawea Community Centre.
Mr Hewson, the chairman of the redevelopment fundraising committee, said he never expected the event to garner so much attention.
"It's amazing to see how many people have come out to look at these little yellow ducks," he said.
The race, which had a prize pool raffle of $2750 for the first 10 ducks, had raised about $5000 for the community centre's redevelopment project.
About $560,000 is still required by the Lake Hawea community to start the construction project to expand existing facilities at Peter Fraser Park.
A carnival was held at the Lake Hawea community centre grounds yesterday afternoon to coincide with the duck race and to also officially open an upgraded children's playground.
Community centre fundraiser Doug Brenssell said about 400 people turned out for the "absolutely fantastic day".
