A BEACHPORT culinary tradition completed its 34th consecutive year yesterday with the foreshore hot donut van selling a record 30,000 sugar-coated treats over the holiday period.
The Beachport and Rivoli Bay Lions Club leased a prominent seaside position alongside the war memorial rotunda and boosted its sales by 25pc.
Since Boxing Day, the van generated significant revenue for the Lions club which spends the proceeds on town improvements and donations to seaside community groups.
To avoid new government legislation regarding mobile food vendors, the Lions had to remove the wheels from the van as it would then cease to be mobile.
Beachport and Rivoli Bay Lions Club donut van coordinator Mike Coonan welcomed the steep rise in patronage.
He said the donut van was staffed by Lions club members and other volunteers from the Beachport groups supported by it, including the school, Beachport District Development Association, surf life saving club, pony club and sporting clubs.
According to Mr Coonan, more people visited Beachport during the school holidays than usual.
“I think the businesses in Beachport have done really well,” Mr Coonan said.
“The visitors to Beachport like the family atmosphere and the diverse activities on offer ranging from bike riding to fishing.
“The crays have been crawling and the boat ramp has operated at its best.”
He said the donut van would return for Easter and possibly for the next round of school holidays.
