Departing the Gold Coast at sunrise on 26th July this year, the R Marine Crawley Winter Migration for 2021 consisted of 14 Rivieras and their families. The 2021 event was the twenty second such gathering for R Marine Crawley.
For the duration of the trip, the weather was uncharacteristically moody and occasionally challenging for the time of year. Regardless, the festivities continued and included highlights such as Whitehaven Beach Day, Fish on the Fire gathering on Middle Percy Island, the Bustard Head Lighthouse walk at Pancake Creek, Dinner at Beaches Restaurant at Rosslyn Bay, snorkelling, paddleboarding, water sports and the infamous RMC Charity Auction.
The R Marine Charity Auctions are becoming quite well known amongst the owners. Before the departure date, the owners are asked to bring and donate a $50 auction item. Most families have their auction items ready when the event is announced. Those who are not prepared, on the other hand, find themselves auctioning off unusual items of little value. This paired with the unique and entertaining auctioneering skills of Ben Crawley, drives the bidding higher and higher on the mostly ordinary items, fetching a handsome bounty for charity and this is where the fun comes in! The group raised an incredible total of $29,000 at the Charity Auction and all funds were donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Other highlights of the trip was the group walk up to the rooftop of the Whitsunday Island where a spectacular view awaited for the hikers.
The experience ended as some owners chose to stay out for a few extra days and other owners moved their vessels into the designated berths at selected ports around the Whitsundays. Riviera owners then choose to fly up and down from their homes to enjoy the area before bringing the vessels back to the Gold Coast and surrounding region as part of the Lady Mulgrave or Bunker trip experience.
