IT WAS a day for the ducks when hundreds of people donned their cossies and sunscreen in support of the Georgina Josephine Foundation at Young Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
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The Family Duck Day had been organised by local couple Emma and Peter Cockburn to thank the people of Young for their support of them since their daughter Georgina was accidentally run over in her own garage.
Since the accident the Cockburns have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about injuries and deaths to children in driveway accidents and how tragedies like the one they endured could be avoided.
And while a brisk Saturday morning breeze may have deterred some, Emma Cockburn said the day ended up being perfect in terms of the weather attracting several hundred locals to the pool and raising around $2000 for the Foundation.
Among the special guests at the Family Duck Day was Assistant Police Commissioner John Hartley who travelled to Young for the occasion.
Emma described it as a real family day – with all age groups encouraged to take part in activities and competitions all mostly involving plastic yellow ducks.
Georgina’s two favourite songs were, “Five Little Ducks” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, so ducks and stars are very special to the Cockburn family, featuring on the Georgine Josephine Foundation logo. Emma’s mother died when she was five years old, and a treasured item is a drawing by her mother of a mother duck and her duckling.
“For us the day was more about thanking the community for their support – lots of them know what we’re about and so the day, for us, served its purpose in getting families out to have fun together,” Emma said.