Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If ever there was the perfect example of community coming together, it was on full show at the Blessing of the Fleet Festival at Ulladulla on Easter Sunday. The Blessing the Fleet Parade, made up of a record number of colourfully and intricately designed floats, with Blessing of the Fleet Princesses, made its way down the highway at Ulladulla. Thousands of people came out to watch the parade and participate in the festival. There were 81 community and market stalls. There was the popular greasy pole competition, tug-of-war and more. There was the traditional Blessing of the Fleet Catholic church service by the harbour, and the most amazing actual Blessing of the Fleet, where we hopped on a Marine Rescue Ulladulla boat and Father Michael Dyer, together with Uncle Phil Butler, went across the water to each boat to bless the boat and its fishers for a plentiful catch and a safe return.

Since 1956 the festival has been a long-held tradition of this Italian Ulladulla fishing community and something to be immensely proud of. The Ulladulla Blessing of the Fleet Princess Ball provides an opportunity for young women and their partners to participate in their community, to learn to dance and to co-ordinate their own float. Huge thanks go to the Blessing of the Fleet Organising Committee, to the Rotary Club of Milton-Ulladulla, to the Ulladulla fishing community and to the many sponsors, service clubs, local businesses and community groups that make this event so special. I cannot wait for next year's event.