Town celebrates record breaker

Dumbleyung will soon be home to a replica of the famous Bluebird hydroplane which broke the world water speed record 50 years ago, as a community fundraising drive has reached its $100,000 target.

On December 31, 1964 British speed legend Donald Campbell broke the record on Lake Dumbleyung, reaching a speed of 444.71km/h in the Bluebird K7 Hydroplane Mark 19.

Dumbleyung Bluebird Committee member Louisa Dare said the community had been working towards a project to commemorate the achievement since the day the record was broken and that locals were passionate about it.

“What this community fundraising drive tells us is that the community is really passionate about this project and it actually gives it validity,” she said. Ms Dare said the community had raised $55,000 through donations and the Shire of Dumbleyung would commit $45,000.

Statewide Boating, based in Ledge Point, has been awarded the tender to build the replica.

The hydroplane will be housed at the old Dumbleyung post office and unveiled in time for the 50-year anniversary celebration to be held on December 31.

Ms Dare said building the replica is the first stage of the project and the community would also establish a discovery centre to house memorabilia from the event.

The Bluebird construction process will be shared on the Dumbleyung Bluebird Facebook page.

Donations are still welcome — those who donate $50 or more will be included on an honour roll to be installed with the replica.