Little Angels - Lake Colac Tragedy

This is part of a series of geocaches that have been placed to remember the little lives that were lost to tragic circumstances and lost in history.  Keeping their memories alive.

This is a story about one of the worst tragedies to have happened in Lake Colac.  The Six boys were junior members of the Lake Colac Rowing Club who went out on a practice row on the lake.

It was a calm Saturday afternoon, the 10th October 1942, the six boys Roland aged 16, Alex aged 15, Norman aged 16, Bert aged 15, Noel aged 15, and Donald aged 15 took out a four-oared rowing boat.

They were almost in the middle of the lake when a stiff breeze sprang up, and while they were attempting to turn the boat around to head back to shore, it was caught in a of trough of waves and capsized.  The boys clung to the boat, but it kept turning over in the water and it was hard to keep a grip.

After a little while, Noel decided to swim to the shore to get help, that was the last they saw him.  Bert’s legs were starting to cramp so the other boys put him on top of the boat and started to rub his legs.  This is when the boat rolled over again and Bert, Norman and Alex all slipped off and disappeared.   Donald and Roland also slipped off, but they regained their grip.  By now, it was getting dark, and the two boys were sitting on each end of the boat.  Suddenly the boat lurched throwing them both into the water.  Donald got back on, but there was no sign of Roland.

Donald clung to the boat, cold, exhausted and alone.  It was now 6 hours since the accident had happened, and as Donald couldn't swim, he just hung on, waiting for help to arrive.  Eventually the boat drifted in close to the shore near Cororooke.  Donald got safely to land and sought aid at a farm house.  The police were then informed and an intensive search was organised.

Almost a week later, the five boys were found and recovered from the lake.

All five boys are buried in the Colac Cemetery.  Bert and Norman are buried together, their parents agreed that as they were the best of friends, it seemed fitting that in death they were not separated.

Cache:  You are looking for a 1 litre sistema container