My big fat sail boat race

by Courtesy Geelong Advertiser on 24 Jan 2005 It was a case of Effie everywhere on Saturday when the Greek beauty arrived in Geelong to meet impersonators.

Winners of a radio competition impersonating Effie's voice were given the opportunity to enjoy lunch and a glass of champagne with the Greek goddess at Skandia Geelong Week.

Effie said the impersonators were lucky they didn't try to look like her.

'There is no competition for me visually anywhere,' Effie said.

`But there are people out there who like the way I talk and they can do it, not as good as me again, but obviously pretty good.'

Joining them were the winners of a Geelong Advertiser token competition - Nina Lisenko and Elizabeth Davey.

Ms Lisenko said she was very happy to meet Effie.

`I just love the way she does her thing,' Ms Lisenko said. `I can relate to it.'

Effie wasn't the only excitement on Saturday.

Jazz bands, food, wine and clowns entertained the large crowd at Eastern Beach.

On the lawn next to the Wharf Shed restaurant, Bunnings staff worked frantically on building a ship for a Wednesday race.

Nearby much smaller model boats made their way around an oversized paddling pool.

On the water Acting Premier John Thwaites set off in the Williamstown to Geelong race.

Mr Thwaites said a record field of nearly 500 boats would make this year's event more exciting than ever before. `Skandia Geelong Week is a fantastic event on Geelong's event calendar and promotes Geelong's key tourism product strengths - waterfront, sailing, wine and food,' he said.