Premier Peter Malinauskas was recently at the seaside to see the Robe Professional Fishermen’s Association stage their annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at the Lake Butler Marina.
Third generation professional lobster fisherman Andrew Dening opened the ceremony, sharing reflections on the significance of the Blessing of the Fleet.
Long-time celebrant Jan Bermingham led the gathering which also featured the “Swim for the Cross” ceremony.
The 2024 swimmers were Betty and Fred Fennell from Robe, along with Reef and Indy Ward from Dimboola.
In a keenly-contested race, Indy reached the cross first, raising it triumphantly to the hearty cheers of the crowd lining the wharf.
Following another long-standing tradition, Indy chose to honour the vessel Raging Bull with the cross.
It will be carried aboard Raging Bull for the remainder of the 2024/25 season which ends on May 31.
Meanwhile, a near-identical Blessing of the Fleet was held around this time at the Beachport jetty.
It was arranged by the Beachport Professional Fishermen’s Association and the celebrant was the Mount Gambier/Millicent Catholic parish priest Father Peter Zwanns.
