Port Macquarie Lions Club members were behind the organisation of the event. All proceeds raised from the day go back into the community for charity. 

The event was strongly attended due to the perfect weather conditions at Kooloonbung Creek on Short Street.

Port Macquarie Lions Club treasurer John Fulton said the duck races have been running for about 12 years. 

He said it attracts a large crowd because people love to see something which is different or unusual. 

Mr Fulton said the club were a bit concerned prior to the start of the business house race as the wind conditions were a bit down. 

However the current proved to be strong enough to push the ducks down from the Gordon Street bridge along to the Buller Street bridge. 

A mobile crane was tasked with dropping 600 ducks for the start of the business house race and 1200 ducks for the general public race. 

The ducks were released from a metal cage via a trapdoor into the Kooloonbung Creek for the races. 

For the business house race first place went to The Other Chef Fine Foods, Healthier You Dietetics came second and third place went to Car Detailing. 

NewIDAFE, Hastings Education Fund and Marine Rescue were the beneficiaries of the event. 

Mr Fulton said the club had banked $17,000 as of April 13.

He described the atmosphere on the day as ‘absolutely fantastic’. 

Mr Fulton said the duck races was a great family day out.  People chose to picnic along the creek bank to watch the spectacle. 

Lots of families brought their extended family members along on the day. Attendees each bought a duck ticket to race each other. 

There was a barbecue, face painting and cupcakes at the event on April 16. 

In 2016 the wind pushed ducks in the wrong direction. Mr Fulton said Marine Rescue had to intervene to get them on track.