The children of Berowra Waters enjoy a very special lifestyle all year round but Christmas on the river is extra special. For more than 50 years, with the help of the RFS Santa has travelled up the river on the Santa Boat visiting children at their pontoons with sacks full of gifts.
Making its way up the river with lights and decorations, it is a spectacular sight enjoyed by all. Mums and Dads will need to place their order with Santa prior to Christmas for Santa to make a stop at your pontoon.
A relatively new event on the river, Carols has been running for just a few years. When the festive season arrives, be sure to join fellow residents and families at Collingridge Point for Carols by Candlelight. Entertainment is mostly provided by fellow residents, who go to great lengths to put on a fabulous show and together with the Ladies’ Committee deliver a special family event.
The Santa Boat and Carols make Christmas a wonderful time to be on the river, and adding to this magic, is the sight of houses decorated in festive lights. Everyone is encouraged to decorate their house with lights to make the journey home in the evening more interesting and fun.
Residents of Collingridge Point organise festivities for Easter Sunday on the lawns at Capo di Monte, the house built in the late 1800’s by George Collingridge, the famous artist (and founder of the Royal Art Society), author and wood engraver.
The annual Easter egg hunt, sporting events such as pass the ball competitions, egg and spoon races, three legged races and the Bob Hately Memorial “Dunny Toss” are all part of this fun family day. There is a BBQ of course, and socialising has been known to run well into the evening!
This mid-winter dinner is held with the support of the Waterview Restaurant. Fundraising from the night helps to support the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Santa Boat and other calendar events. This is normally a themed event allowing everyone to have a bit of fun during the winter chill. Music and dancing, silent auctions, coin toss and river quizzes are just some of the activities during the night.
Once the winter chill is behind us, sometime in October or November, the ladies head to the Mooney Mooney Club for lunch. Often the journey is as much fun as the destination; many travel up in groups in a few of the larger boats. Much secret women’s business is discussed over a bottle or two and some great food. This purely social event is one not to be missed.
The BUMS are the newest of our river activities. Founded in 2015, this is secret men’s business!
BUMS run an irregular series of events including pool and dart comps, Bocce, golf, barefoot bowls, fishing comps and more. Each of these events typically involves a trophy, a bit of trash-talk, beer and a yarn….and more beer.
All river men are welcome and according to Pete Mitchell “if you are sad that you have not been invited to the BUMS event, dry your eyes princess and give me (Pete) a call/text on 0414 646 423 and I will add you to the mailing list.”
Graeme Rowell and Mick Calleja conduct a moving ANZAC Day Dawn Service on the Western Foreshore. A beautiful setting for such a special occasion. The service is followed by a breakfast BBQ for the community provided by the Ladies’ Committee and cooked by the BUMS.