An afternoon of live music has piqued local interest in the Cooktown Blue Water Club as the organisation gets itself back on the local map. Photo: Jacynta Hunt.
It is not every day that a group of fishing enthusiasts host an event on dry land, but an electrifying afternoon of live music has put the Cooktown Blue Water Club (CBWC) “back on the map” after a low-key couple of years.
In collaboration with the Cooktown Music Collective, the group welcomed almost 150 locals and tourists to the Saturday Sundowner on 30 August to fundraise for improved facilities at the clubhouse.
CBWC treasurer Helen Greaves said the organisation team was exhausted but exhilarated after the hugely successful event, which attracted a wider crowd than the usual fishing competitions.
“It’s a very different event from fishing comps and the sort of stuff you would expect a blue water club to do, but everyone had a lovely time,” she said.
“Wayne (Hunt, the club’s vice-president) was telling me he had lots of people coming up to him to say how great it was, and that they didn’t know there was a blue water club in town.
“There was definitely a lot of interest, so I think our membership will increase soon, and the event definitely put the club back on the map.”
Ms Greaves said it was also great to promote the clubhouse as a hosting venue, adding she hoped improved facilities meant more events could be held in the space.
“I think it’s nice that the Blue Water Club can host a variety of events, not just fishing, because it’s a gorgeous venue in its own right,” she said.
“We do hire out the venue, so to improve the facilities inside the building, we’ll make it a more appropriate space for more events, more types of entertainment, better hosting for parties, and things that people might want to do.
“Especially if they’re catered events, when we get this kitchen in, you can really do a lot more with such a terrific space.”
With locals already keen for round two, Ms Greaves said the CBWC would love to put on another event like the Saturday Sundowner in the future.
“I think it would be lovely to do it again; the music was so professional, the sound was excellent, they had great lighting, and it was just so well put together,” she said.
