A rare World War II RAAF Crash Boat, rescued from a collapsed shed and brought to Lake Boga through the determination of a local personality, the late Rod Rudge, now needs your help to be professionally restored before this irreplaceable piece of Australian history is lost forever.

Image 1: Crash Boat O8-18 at storage location before relocation to Lake Boga

Bringing History Home to Lake Boga

Nestled in the heart of Victoria’s Mallee region, Lake Boga is a small community of 982 people with a proud connection to Australia’s wartime history, notable being the location of a top-secret Catalina flying boat repair base during the Pacific campaign of the Second World War and is now the home to the renowned Catalina Flying Boat Museum.

Image 2: Lake Boga secret Catalina repair base in action during WW2

Our town is now embarking on an extraordinary journey to preserve another important piece of that legacy: a rare World War 2 Royal Australian Airforce Seaplane Tender, known as a “Crash Boat” that supported Catalina and other flying boat type operations throughout the Pacific region during World War 2.

Today, very few of these vessels survive. Most were scrapped or abandoned after the war, making this boat an exceptionally rare piece of Australia’s aviation, maritime, and industrial heritage.

Image 3: Boat Tender O8-18 in service in the post war years but during World War 2 was attached to a training facility for aircrew rescue and other tasks servicing Catalinas with crews and supplies

A Dream Inspired by One Remarkable Man

In 2025, boat enthusiast, the late Rod Rudge discovered the boat hidden beneath a collapsed shed near Bendigo. Recognising its historical significance, Rod, in characteristic determination and enthusiasm, devoted countless hours to recovering the vessel, arranging its transport, and bringing it to Lake Boga, where he believed it belonged alongside the town's famous Catalina Flying Boat Museum. This would not have been possible without the generosity of then boat owner and support from other community members that Rod, with his infectious enthusiasm and energy had rallied together.

Image 4: The late Rod Rudge (centre) was the driving force in securing the "Crash Boat" and bringing like-minded people together of all ages to work towards restoration of this rare Australian built Halvorsen built wooden boat for future generations.

The Arrival

The arrival of the boat in September 2025 sparked excitement throughout our small community. Rod's vision was to preserve an important piece of Australia's wartime history and make it accessible for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

Sadly, Rod passed away suddenly on the 23 November 2025 before seeing his dream become reality. His loss was deeply felt throughout our community. We miss his energy, his passion, and his unwavering belief in preserving local history. This Project has now become more than a restoration. It is a commitment to honoring Rod’s legacy and completing the work he began.

Why We Need Your Help

This remarkable vessel, RAAF Seaplane Tender O8-18, is one of very few surviving examples of the boats used during World War II to rescue aircrew, recover personnel from aircraft accidents, transport crews and supplies, and support flying boat operations across Australia and the Southwest Pacific. These boats saved lives, yet their story is largely forgotten.

Image 5: An example O8 series crash boat in operations during the Pacific campaign during WW2

Most crash boats were scrapped after the war, making this vessel an exceptionally rare survivor and a significant piece of Australia's aviation, maritime, and industrial heritage.

The boat was generously gifted to the Lake Boga Lions Club. With just thirteen members, the Lions recognised that a project of this importance belonged to the whole community, leading to the formation of the Lake Boga Crash Boat Steering Committee.

Our original hope was to restore the vessel using volunteers. However, after a professional assessment by specialist heritage shipwrights, it became clear that the boat requires expert restoration to preserve its historical integrity. Without intervention, this rare nationally significant artefact may be lost forever.

Image 6: Boat Tender O8-18 present condition looking aft to the engine compartments

Our Fundraising Goal: $623,500

Funds raised will help kickstart the critical first stages of restoration, including:

• Professional documentation and conservation planning

• Structural assessment and preservation work

• Commencement of hull and framework reconstruction

• Protection of the vessel from further deterioration

• Preparation for its future display as a permanent heritage attraction in Lake Boga

Your Donation Makes a Difference

• $25 helps purchase restoration materials.

• $50 helps preserve original historic features.

• $100 supports specialist restoration work.

• $500 contributes to structural hull reconstruction.

• $1,000+ helps secure the future of a nationally significant heritage project.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to preserving this extraordinary vessel and sharing its story with future generations.

PLEASE NOTE:

THE LAKE BOGA LIONS CLUB IS NOT A REGISTERED CHARITY AND THEREFORE ANY DONATIONS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS A CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION.

More than eighty years ago, this boat helped support those who served our country in wartime. Today, it needs our help.

What began as one man's vision has become a community mission. Rod Rudge saw something special in this forgotten vessel. He saw a story worth saving, a legacy worth preserving, and an opportunity to honour the people who served our nation during a pivotal moment in history.

Although Rod is no longer with us, his passion and determination continue to inspire us every day.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or simply share this campaign with family and friends, you are helping preserve a rare piece of Australia's heritage and ensuring that Rod's dream lives on.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for becoming part of this journey.

Together, we can save this historic WW2 Crash Boat, honour those who served, and create a lasting legacy for Lake Boga and Australia.

Please donate today and help turn Rod's dream into a legacy.

Honouring the past. Preserving a legacy. Fulfilling a dream.