Albany Dragon Boat Club adds new boat to fleet in honour of late club member

Albany Dragon Boat Club added two new boats to its fleet on Saturday, with one named after a member’s late husband.

The two new boats were launched at Emu Point with a naming ceremony and blessing with holy water by two Buddhist monks.

One of the boats was sponsored by Southern Ports and named ‘Rowenbank’.

The other was bought by the family of late Albany man Robert Reynolds, who died in November 2020.

Robert’s wife Elaine has been a member of the club since 2012, and described her husband as a “great supporter” of the club.

The boat was named ‘Bobby’ in his honour.

it was bought by Mr Reynolds’ estate, and made overseas, taking several months to arrive in Albany due to COVID delays.

Jillian Stoney was his business partner in the Albany Plaza Discount Drug Store, and described the ceremony as a “positive and happy” remembrance of Robert.

It was followed by a gathering of friends and family at the Albany Dragon Boat Club.

Several former customers and staff members of Mr Reynolds’ store attended the ceremony, as well as one of his sons, while another son watched via a video call from Melbourne.

“He was absolutely the most amazing man, and he gave me opportunities that no one has given me,” Ms Stoney said.

“He means a lot to me, and it was nice to have that ceremony in remembrance of him.”