Home

Carnamah sailing ... a furphy?

Headshot of Peter Sweeney
Peter SweeneyMidwest Times
Game Over in name but not in nature as Holly Hedley and Grace Morgan charge ahead.
Camera IconGame Over in name but not in nature as Holly Hedley and Grace Morgan charge ahead. Credit: Nicole Hedley/Nicole Hedley

If George Fowler doesn’t know about it, then it’s unlikely to exist, or have existed, in Carnamah.

George is rising 92, but sounds fit enough to be running out for the local footy side this winter.

One of the craft in the seven-race series of the GNC Quality Precast Geraldton 63rd Pelican State Championship last week was named Carnamah. Word on the water was the inland town once had a yacht club.

Carnamah (414) with Finn Preston and Jack Hetherington looking to round a buoy.
Camera IconCarnamah (414) with Finn Preston and Jack Hetherington looking to round a buoy. Credit: Nicole Hedley

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Now we’ve all heard some tall stories, but a yacht club in Carnamah? Surely not.

A couple of the organisers of the races, which attracted eight to 16-year-olds from Perth, Busselton, Esperance and the Mid West, were told yachts once raced on inland lakes surrounding Carnamah.

“Possible, but not probable,” George, the oldest fella in Carnamah and a major player in the heritage museum, said.

“Couldn’t tell ya if it’s true, would have to do some research.”

It’s a Pelican conga line as boats from all clubs tussle for the lead.
Camera IconIt’s a Pelican conga line as boats from all clubs tussle for the lead. Credit: Nicole Hedley/Nicole Hedley

Back on the water in Geraldton, and David Fishwick, one of the organisers, described the first Pelican yacht series held in Geraldton in five years as “a winner”.

“We had 17 boats and 32 competitors who had to sail in a variety of conditions,” Fishwick said.

“Racing was called off one day and there were some very strong winds.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails