EMERGING slowly from the water and looking like The Creature From The Black Lagoon, a hard hat diver is assisted by colleagues at the Rathmines Catalina Festival.
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Diving demonstrations by Historical Diving Society Australia-Pacific members proved one of the surprise hits at Sunday's event.
President of Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association Penny Furner said the festival was one of the most popular in the event's eight-year history.
"The positive comments that we've received, both on social media and in person, have just blown us away," Ms Furner said.
The usual star of the show, the only flying Catalina in Australia, was unable to appear because it was undergoing urgent maintenance.
But a crowd of about 7000 - up on last year - was still full of praise for the program.
"The aerobatic show, in general, is always popular, but the arrival of the RAAF's AP3-C Orion was quite impressive and it came in very low," Ms Furner said.
The festival is held to highlight the historical role played by Rathmines as the air force's largest flying boat base, home to Catalinas during World War II.
Catalinas played a vital role in the defence of Australia, laying sea mines, bombing enemy airfields, conducting reconnaissance, inserting special forces and supplies, and rescuing sailors and airmen.
The festival is also the main fundraising initiative for Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association in its efforts to establish a museum.
Ms Furner said the association would soon submit a lengthy document to the State Heritage Office seeking approval for the museum. Council approval would then be sought.
"I'm hopeful we'll be turning the first sod next year," Ms Furner said.
■ See a picture gallery of the festival at lakesmail.com.au.
