Special procession brings moments of joy amid ongoing grief

A moving procession of classic cars and a great show of community spirit moved through Ballina today as locals gathered to honour the Marine Rescue volunteers lost in the Ballina Bar tragedy.

Nearly a fortnight after the disaster that claimed the lives of Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, people lined streets and gathered at the Marine Rescue tower in a show of support for grieving volunteers and families.

Among the crowd watching the parade at the Marine Rescue tower, unit commander Peter Hill, Deb Hutchinson, with husband Geoff in the wheelchair, community fundraiser Mark Ross (kneeling), councillor and procession organiser Michelle Bailey and Deputy Mayor Damian Loone (far right).

The special event, organised by Michelle and Martin Bailey and the North Coast Show and Shine fundraising crew, saw an estimated 150 vehicles travel in convoy from Cherry Street Sports Club to the Marine Rescue base.

Along the route, locals stopped to wave, take photos of the motorcycles and cars, and applaud as the procession passed.

“It was very moving and uplifting at the same time,” organiser Michelle Bailey said.

“This is all about showing them they’re not alone.”

The Marine Rescue Ballina crew back for their monthly fundraiser barbecue

Ms Bailey said the idea for the event came together quickly as the community searched for a way to respond to the tragedy.

“In floods and fires, people know what to do,” she said.

“With this, no one knows how to channel that grief.”

At the Marine Rescue tower, the atmosphere was emotional but warm, with music playing, volunteers gathering for their monthly barbecue and families mingling beside floral tributes.

One of the most touching moments came with the appearance of Marine Rescue skipper Geoff Hutchison, who arrived accompanied by his wife Deb in a wheelchair as he continues recovering from serious injuries suffered in the tragedy.

Mr Hutchison appeared pale and said he was still experiencing pain, although his recovery was progressing well.

Copies of his book Shipwrecked, chronicling local bar tragedies over the course of shipping history and written to help raise funds for the ill-fated BA30 rescue vessel were also on sale.

“Everyone’s saying I’m going to have to insert another chapter now, in light of what’s happened,” he said.

Yet amid the community support and moments of joy, reminders of the tragedy remained impossible to escape.

Up on the top floor of the tower, volunteers continued the serious work of monitoring vessels on the Ballina Bar, including local trawler Hammersley making a cautious run through rolling surf.

Stan Blundell added music, smiles and a touch of lightness to an emotional day at the Marine Rescue barbecue.

It was a reminder of the vital role Marine Rescue plays and that, just two weeks after the tragedy, crews are back protecting local waters.

Outside, a small tribute boat placed at the entrance of the tower in memory of the lost rescue heroes carried a blunt message directed at authorities: “DREDGE THE BAR SAVE LIVES”

For many there, the gathering felt less like an end to the grief than a community beginning to slowly carry it together.