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Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure boat Voyage 2001
Archived Voyage Update News

 
July 1st August 17th
July 4th August 23rd
July 8th August 27th
July 29th August 29th
August 1st September 1st
August 6th September 17th
August 8th September 19th
August 14th

 

July 1st

Hello everyone,   

 
The grand farewell from Goolwa Wharf went according to plan with the best weather we could ask for and a crowd of 500 to 1000 people on the wharf.
 
The relay through the main street of Goolwa with Sea Scouts and Alexandrina Councillors, COE Coombes and then Mayor Kim McHugh taking the official flame onto the Oscar W where is stayed for a short time.
 
The Goolwa Concert Band played appropriate music while we waited for Hon Dean Brown to arrive. Damon opened the two and half tonne street organ for all to see.
 
A number of the Oscar W Crew where in period clothing for the very special occasion as a re-enactment of years gone by.
 
Once the boiler was lit the Oscar W sailed off and completed a circle and then picking up the tow rope for 1912 built DART Barge that has been turned into an Interpretive Centre looking like the pile driving jetty and loading landings that were numerous years ago.
 
Many guests on the Oscar W travelled to Clayton where lunch was served.
 
The DART is towed about seventy metre behind the Oscar W on a stout rope with a crew of three with very warm clothing because they are out in the open. The DART is brought along side the Oscar W and lashed to the side when moored.
 
The paddlesteamer William Randell owned by Roly Bartlett followed the Oscar W and will sail as far a water will permit, which at this stage may only be to Mildura because there is not enough water flowing down the River Murray for the larger boats to travel to Echuca.
 
Crossing Lake Alexandrina was very easy because the water was flat, no wind with bright sunshine. The Oscar W stopped at Wellington the first night out.
 
On Sunday at about noon the boats arrived at Murray Bridge and loaded wood to continue on the Mannum where the second night was spent.
 
Monday morning more wood will loaded and then the boats will depart heading for Swan Reach.

Ron Blake JP
Chairman
Federation Centenary Celebration Committee River Port of Goolwa

 

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July 4th

Hello everyone, We have not had mobile phone communication for almost two days - from above Mannum to Blanchetown.

 
There has been a few problems along the way that have slowed the Oscar W down. Yesterday at about 5pm when we were going well one of the main crank shaft bearing became very hot so we tied up about three or four kilometres above Blanchetown. To inspect the bearing it was necessary to dismantle all the bearing and raise the whole crank shaft which is an enormous task.
The engine is going again and we will and we intend to go for a long day to get back on the schedule.
 
We are about half to a day behind at this time - 8-30am Wednesday.
 
Wood pickups from Murray Bridge, Mannum and Swan Reach have worked very well. Mid Murray Council placed wood near the wharf at Mannum and Swan Reach.
 
I attended Centenary of Federation Committee Meetings at Swan Reach and Morgan where everyone is absolutely fire up putting the finishing touches to celebration plans in their communities.
 
We have just started moving again  it is 8.25am 
I hope to have better communication for the next few days through to Renmark.


Kind regards to all,
 
Ron Blake JP
Chairman
Federation Centenary Celebration Committee River Port of Goolwa.

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July 8th

Hello everyone,
The Oscar W is now churning water as good as every. The Engineers worked until 2am last night lifting the whole main crank shaft and scraping bearing and adding/deleting shims and oil grooves. The same people were up at 6am to ensure their work was completed next morning.
 
John Fenwick who happens to be my sons father in law lives close by where the Oscar W was moored just out of Blanchetown. John got hold of a friend of his who had the right tools and drove down to where Oscar W was moored and saved the day.
 
I was attending a meeting in Morgan during the same time period with Brice Douglas and Peter Brister and they were about to locate the correct tools when I was informed that the Fenwick expedition had arrived at the Oscar W.
 
Community spirit is alive and working very well where ever we go. Just about everyone knows about the Centenary of Federation Celebrations and the Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure boat Voyage 2001.
 
I have met with people from Wellington, Mannum, Swan Reach, Bow Hill, Blanchetown and Morgan over the past few days confirming individual town programs for when the main fleet returns in September.
 
We have just loaded wood cut by prisoners from Northfield Pre-release Centre in Parra Wirra National Park during the summer and split by prisoner at Operation Challenge at Cadell Training Centre using the Oscar W engine driven hydraulic splitter. The wood was carted to the Cadell Pump Station and loaded with the assistance of prisoners from Cadell.
 
The hydraulic log splitter was dismantled into two pieces from the two wheel trailer and loaded onto the deck of the Oscar W using the steam winch and lifting chains. The trailer and wheels take up too much room on the deck. Once reassembled the log splitter will be used to split thick timber, while we are travelling along, ready to feed into the boiler. 
 
The Oscar W will be stopping below Lock two somewhere tonight ready for an early start in the morning to catch up with the original schedule.
 
The foods good, everyone is weary but in good spirits thoroughly enjoying themselves.
 
Getting mobile phone service is impossible in many areas so we are only able to communicate when reception is good, but that is a lot different then the early days of river travel back around 1901.
 
The information above was meant to be transmitted two days ago but with limited phone service for many hours per day and none at night last night and the battery on the phone going flat before emails were completed, it was difficult.
 
On Thursday we picked up supplies at Waikerie and wood arranged by Loxton Waikerie Council at Loxton where numerous local people helped with the loading - which is very welcome anytime.
 
Thursday night was spent below Lock Four where there was no phone service. 
 
The day before not far back we passed a boat that was flying our flag, and was sitting high on solid ground and not likely to go anywhere with out help. We spoke by radio with the owners who were having dinner and not worried.
 
After talking with the boat owners again at about 7am when it was very cold, but very beautiful with the wild mountain ducks, pelicans and cormorants Brian Rawlins and I  went back in the Oscar W tender boat. The tender boat is a very sturdy aluminium vessel with a 90 horsepower Honda pushing it. After a little pulling and manoeuvring we freed the vessel. 
 
Lock Four was ready for the Oscar W to enter and the William Randell followed behind.Even with the Oscar W, Dart Barge and William Randell there was plenty of room for more boats in the Lock, if they had been there.
 
It was dead calm in the Lock which set the seen for some very good photographs that one of the crew, Frank Tucker took with his camera and mine.  
 
Berri Pump Out Station was our next point of call where sewage was pumped out and wood arranged by Berri Council was loaded.
 
A full week is up so more crew changes were made on both the William Randell and Oscar W. Food supplies were purchased at Berri and loaded at the Wharf.
 
The phones were good bad good numerous time over the next few hours.
 
The Oscar W reached Lock Five, which is not far below Renmark at About 1545hours so the gates were left open until the William Randell caught up with us.
 
The original aim of the day was to reach Renmark by Saturday night but it was not to be. The Paringa Bridge which must be lifted to allow large vessels to pass under became the stumbling block. After numerous phone calls the bridge operators stood firm and made us wait until 9-30 Sunday morning to pass - which went down like a lead balloon with the engineers. 
 
Sunday was planned to be a rest day in Renmark with a few jobs caught up with and perhaps a lay in. Having to pass under the Paringa Bridge requires the boiler to be lit at least two hours before to get steam up and then only to travel about five kilometres to Renmark. 
 
The Engineers planned to clean the tubes of the boiler early Sunday so now they will start at about 4am and then light the boiler. The boiler tubes cannot be clean when the boiler is hot an full of steam.
 
on Monday morning we set sail for the Old Custom House (Border Cliffs) and the on to Wentworth for the following weekend.
 
Most mobile phones are fairly useless in most of the area between the Old Custom House and Wentworth so communication will be sparse but with the Sat phone urgent contact is available. They say CDMA phones are good but we do not have one.
 
 
Kind regards to all,
 
Ron Blake JP
Chairman
Federation Centenary Celebration Committee River Port of Goolwa.

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July 29th

Hello everyone, 

The Oscar W and Dart were moved through the Lock on Saturday and are now moored on the Buronga side of the river near the Akuna Amphibious and caravan park. Caretakers will live on board until the fleet from up river return during the last week of August. 

 
Over the past week the tinnies have been prepared for the trip to Echuca with the addition of canopies over the top and flag poles installed.
 
Motors have been checked and fuel, food, accommodation and hot showers arranged at overnight stops.
 
The send off on Monday should be a bit of fun with an Indiana Jones stock whip, Crocodile Dundee knife, steaming whistling kettle for sound effects and instant tinnie power and a can of instant steam for Echuca.
 
AT 9-45am Eastern Standard Time four or five tinnies will disappear on the shining River Murray into the shimmering heat/cold fog of a Mildura morning starting the over eight hundred kilometre trek to Echuca.
 
If communications work I may be in touch by email along the way so long as there is phone service and the boat/computer does not turn into a submarine.
 
Fare well fair world, see you on the other side err end!!!
 
Ron Blake 
Up Australia's greatest creek in a tinnie.  

 

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August 1st

 

Hello everyone, The departure of the Centenary of Federation flotilla from Mildura went as planned or better. Mayor Cox and Julie Jewell from Mildura Rural City with the media and a small band of spectators and supporters looking on.
The Indiana Jones stile stockwhip, made from blue and gold rope and a broom handle, painted pink Crocodile Dundee style knife, spider infested hat and with the added power and sound of a whistling kettle on a gas cooker by the Mighty Murray set the seen for the send off.

After all the preparation one of the tinnies ended up with a rectangular blue tarp shelter looked like a cross between a haystack and out back dunny, the other with sleek full curved lines and blue tarp looked like a cross between the Sydney Opera House and American wild west covered wagon. Both vessels are sporting three flags each, the SA Flag, River Murray flag, Alexandrina Council and Centenary of Federation flags adding to the colour.

It was a cool, morning with early fog on the river that cleared just in time for the departure ceremony. Win TV reporters and other photographers interviewed the boat crews prior to departure.

At precisely 9-45am the crews slipped in the three river craft and after a circular sail past set off on the over eight hundred kilometre trek to Echuca. A small fleet of vessels accompanied the official vessels for the first few kilometres and then turned back.

Peter Coleshill who owns a riverboat too big to go far past Mildura with the current water levels was in his tinnie with ambitions of going all the way to Corryong left Mildura with the Centenary of Federation flotilla.

Travelling fifty to few hundred metres one behind the other is a safe way to travel in the River Murray because if the boat in front runs aground you just stop or go the other way!!

 Hundreds of huge trees line the river band in most areas and there would be hundreds that have toppled over into the river over hundreds of years. Other still standing near the river with half their roots exposed and are fighting to survive. 

 A few rocky reefs, sandbars and hundreds of snags (dead trees in the water) on either or both sides of the river make navigating according to the charts essential.

 The river is very low and water cold, however there is some Murray Whales floating by.

The wee trees are huge and far apart but they are very useful at times.

The first day’s travel finished about 3-30pm at Colignan at Peter and Judy Clift’s home, which is about fifty metres up steel stairs from the river and one hundred metres further. Thank goodness the petrol jerry cans were empty on the way up and full on the way down.

Peter and Judy provided food with numerous home ingredients, home grown fruit, warm house and showers and after a few hours, beds that seemed real and wide compared to the bunks on the Oscar W.

Next morning after flapjacks, fruit and coffee the inland trekkers thanked their hosts and sail off on very clear water, compared to SA Murray water.

The river between Colignan and Wemen has hundreds of twists, rocky reefs, sand bars, many snags with some long stretches. One person in each boat holds the navigation chart in plastic and follows every metre of progress indicating turns left, right centre slow etc. with hand signal or stern looks. The Akuna Amphibious tender boat, which I am using, has a depth sounder that is a tremendous advantage. Following the charts is generally easy but knowing the depth of water is either comforting, or concerning if the alarm sound that is set at three feet goes off unexpectedly.

Lorraine had her photo taken today holding a Murray Cod caught by a professional fisherman who we stopped and ate lunch with sitting on a sand bar in the sun.

Tuesday night was on the riverboat Tamara Rae owned by Tony and Pam Lyons at Wemen. Tony and Pam are keen supporters of the Centenary of Federation cruise and will travel down stream with fleet.

The Tamara Rae is a over eighty feet long with paddlewheels driven by diesel motor, with a living area up stairs and huge area at deck level where they can load and carry their car on board, and will house a display during the celebration trip down stream.

The calm dry and sometimes sunny weather continued again today Tuesday. It’s a tough job but some one has to do it!!

 At about 2am the wind changed and came in quite strong making our tinnies bang against the Tamara Rae and woke everyone, except me for a while. The tinnies had been moored tied to the side of the boat facing one way and the wind and waves were now coming from the opposite direction and splashing water into the back of the boats. Moving the ropes and turning the boats around was not easy because of the wind blowing. After moving the tinnies it was time for a cuppa before returning to bed. Rain began beating on the roof of the boat, but it soon faded out and there were clear skies in the morning.

Next morning after being briefed by Tony about particular hazardous sections of river the tinnies moved out at 9am heading for Lock 15 Euston and Robinvale.

Reading and steering the boats according to the charts and local briefings is essential through this section of the river. Many rocky reefs were barely visibly and often there is a sand bar just before or on the opposite side of the river requiring good navigation to avoid propeller, motor or boat damage.allow the water because of the lack of effect of the last Lock behind.

The nearer you get to a Lock the more sh

At Lock 15 – Euston the Lock and weir raise the water by about four metres so from the Lock onwards there is plenty of depth for a long way.

The Euston Bowling Club seemed a great place for lunch at about 1pm so after tying the tinnies to the A11 Barge and going into the Club meant removing about three layers of clothing to prevent overheating.

After lunch a short run in the tinnies under the Robinvale Bridge to the Robinvale Caravan Park where Lie Donovan was waiting to secure our boats load our clobber and us in his vehicle. Refuelling the boats was easy using jerry cans and the vehicle to transport the fuel to the boats. The short drive to Lee and Bev Donovan’s home was through vineyard country. The night was spent with Lee and Bev where Lorraine and I have stayed several times while researching and planning the trip.

Another hard day on the river!!!

Ron Blake up the creek again!!

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August 6th

 

Hello everyone, The Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 tinnie boat push from Mildura to Echuca came to a soggy grinding halt yesterday Sunday 6th August 2001 at the area known as the Bitch and Pups near Goodnight Homestead about sixteen river kilometres below Tooleybuc.
 
The Bitch and Pups was a bitch and a challenge, but the Pups was a wolf in disguise with the main wide riverbed exposed and narrow snag infested channel shallow enough for me to walk in waste deep, swift flowing water, across with a rope to heave the boats further. 
 
The paddleboat crew of the FLENDER HIMMEL tried winching the boat through the channel around the Bitch and Pups as many boat operators did one hundred years ago. One major snag was unmoveable in the middle of the channel and helped confirm there was no use trying anymore. With water level falling they headed back to Robinvale and eventually Mildura to wait for the events and fleet to assemble and continue on down.
   
The water level was falling and the prospects of going further was hopeless.
 
We are housed in a farm house at Goodnight to do the washing, to get the mud and grime out of the clothes,  dry out and warm up.
 
The mobile phones do not work except for the CDMA which I do not have personally.
 
We intend to find boat trailers to load the boats and go on to Torrumbarry Weir or Echuca to participate the events as planned.
 
We are looking for local resources and supporters to help out.
 
It is Monday morning and there is four days to make Echuca and that is what we will do.
 
Ron Blake JP
Up the shallow end of the creek!!!

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August 8th

Hello everyone, It would be good if they could find the character who pulled the plug out of the bottom of the River Murray and have it put back, but that is wishful thinking.

The Oscar W tender boat is loaded onto Jeff Leverett's trailer attached to his car and ready to go to Echuca. A car and boat trailer are communing from Echuca Thursday morning for the second boat and we all will be in Echuca in the afternoon. It has been quite a saga but no time for that now.
 
Ron Blake
Up the almost dry creek!!

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August 14th

Hello everyone, The Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 did not fall into the great black whole of the River Murray - where all the water must have gone, because we could not find the whole, or the water.

The events at Echuca are the true beginning of the celebrations, all before now has been just getting to the start line.

On Monday morning at about 9.00am many paddlesteamers, heritage, leisure boats and our two tinnies left Echuca one behind the other heading for Torrumbarry Weir. The travel to Torrumbarry was reasonably slow and very enjoyable going through urban areas, forests and agricultural land. The riverbanks were quite high from Echuca down stream but the closer we got to Torrumbarry Weir and the influence of the weir the banks were less and less until there was only about half a metre of bank tolerance to prevent the river spreading out. 

The Paddlesteamers departed first followed by about twenty boats owned by participating Centenary of Federation fleet members. Most of these people I had never seen before, and who had never seen me before in the flesh. It was great. I tried to monitor two radio nets, one with the Port of Echuca Boats and our UHF channel 39, which just happens to be the channel the Emmylou uses. There was little need for radio talk as it was basically a quiet relaxing time.

I took advantage of having a faster boat and after an hour or two and went forward, tied up and took photos of every vessel as it passed.

The paddleboats that travelled to Torrumbarry included, PS Adelaide, PS Emmylou PS Perricoota, PS Ranger,

Most of he vessels arrived at Torrumbarry Weir after dark, which made photography awkward.

Terry Holt and Allan Williams who work at Torrumbarry Weir were very cooperative and helpful by providing portable floodlights near the boat moorings, putting the lights on the weir and lock on to enable boat crews and passengers to see all the equipment and sites at night.

The four people travelling in our tinnies ended up staying with Allan and Helen Williams and their children for a couple of night.

Next morning most of the Echuca boats shot through fairly early because it’s a long days travel back to Echuca.

At about 9-30am the Lock operators allowed the Emmylou (which is a commercial passenger carrying vessel) to sail into the Torrumbarry Lock and stayed there for a photographic session, for everyone, while most of the water was let out and then the lock chamber filled again. The Emmylou then paddled out, turned around and paddled away towards Echuca for a leisurely two-day return trip for the passengers.

Next it was time to put the our two South Australian tinnies in the Lock chamber for a few photos with all the water was drained out leaving the boats sitting on the bottom while the down stream gates were opened for a look only of what might have been, if there was plenty of water. There is a concrete ledge and stony reefs visible just below the lock that are impassable with such low water. What dreams!

Terry and Allan then helped pull our boats out and load them on trailers ready for our next move - that will be by road tomorrow.

Digital mobile phones are still close to useless in this area!

Ron Blake

Past the start line!!

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August 17th

Hello everyone, We visited the town of Barham on Wednesday and with the members of the Indigenous Flotilla gave a talk about the Centenary of federation voyage to about three hundred school children in the park along side the River Murray that is so low very can move slowly.

The Great Paddlesteamer Heritage and Leisure Boat voyage 2001 tinnie towed by car flotilla left Torrumbarry on Thursday 16th August heading the Cliffy and Judy Hayes home near the Wakool River about thirty five kilometre from Swan Hill. The day was very warm for this time of year with strong winds and eventfully it began to rain. Cliffy and Judy are members of the Friends of the Oscar W and will be on as crew for two weeks soon.

The drive to their homestead on very slippery tracks reminded me of the days when I was farming years ago.

Cliffy and Judy have lived there for many years and around the house are levy banks to protect the home when the floods come.  They have system here for when the floods come they have numerous boat so they can row in out from the roads. There is no need for it this year.

The town of Swan Hill is having its Centenary of Federation Celebrations but with out any river based events because of the lack of usable water. Our vessel will be in the street parade on the trailer.

The show must go on!!

Ron Blake

On the Wakool River (creek)

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August 23rd

Hello everyone, The Celebrations at Swan Hill over the last weekend were very well planned and very good except the weather turned against the organisers.

The parade through the main streets by many heritage cars and tractors, decorated community floats, draught horse and cart, and one colourful tinnie (ours) was seen by a large crowd. With all the flags flying and Loraine, Blake, Margaret Rawlins, Judy and Madeline Hayes in the boat dressed in period costumes waving like queens was well received, even if the boat was straining. The weather turned quite cold with light drizzle which stopped many people following the parade to the park were there were food stalls, bands playing, stationery engines operating and rides for children. During the evening it remained cold and the bands played to a few enthusiasts.

On the Saturday night at Swan Hill Caravan Park twenty-two members of the Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 participants attended a barbeque and talked about what was and what will be great fun. All of these people arrived by car of course!! Great fun!   

On Sunday about two hundred and fifty people attended the Afternoon Tea at Murray Downs Homestead. The venue, food, music and service were great.

At the Swan Hill Park and at Murray Downs Homestead the main items missing were the fleet of paddleboats chugging past or tied up. What a difference the boats would have made.

On Monday the Indigenous Flotilla members and six members of our team gave a presentation to about three hundred children at Tooleybuc. The weather was cold and damp so the function was held under shelter instead of the park.

Our stay with Cliffy and Judy Hayes near Swan Hill was educational, comfortable and fun. The Hayes’s live about thirty-five kilometres from Swan Hill in a self made museum of agricultural implements and vehicles. Great hosts! One incident was when travelling in the petrol guzzling Kingswood lead to us running out of fuel on the way home from Swan Hill one night near a pig farm. Plenty of gas in the air, but it does not burn! Luckily there was a five litres of two-stroke fuel in the boot.

There have been a few mishaps over the last few weeks.

The paddleboat Flender Himmel is sitting high and dry on a sandbar near Boundary Bend waiting for more water to re-float and continue down stream. The Flender Himmel was the vessel we tried to help get past the Bitch and Pups a few weeks ago, without success. The water flow was dropping while we were there. The owners of the Flender Himmel Shawn Gear and Troy Ryan set off down stream trying to return to deeper water, but without success.  The Murray River won.

The paddleboat Kingfisher is floating around in the pool above lock 15, which is at Euston. Mark Davis tried to get his vessel past the Bitch and Pups a few days before the Flender Himmel and turned back. The Kingfisher made it to the Euston/Robinvale pool area, but there is not enough water below the Lock to pass through and continue to Mildura.

The paddlesteamer William Randell owned by Roly Bartlett of Goolwa sailed past Mildura to Colignan during July and was moored it there for a while. When they returned and started taking the vessel back to Mildura they hit a snag that punched a whole in the forward, starboard side of the bottom of the boat. Instant water!! More water than they ever wanted–inside. They headed straight into shallow water to avoid sinking completely. The bulkhead held firm and prevented water travelling back through the boat around the boiler area. The nose went down to about three feet and settled on the riverbed.

The local community and boating enthusiasts came to the rescuer and helped refloat and sail the William Randell back to Mildura with a large tarpaulin slipped under the hull to keep the water out. After a few days when a slipway was free the vessel was hauled out of the water and repaired and is floating again ready for the rest of the trip. There are many little stories about that incident that will be told for years to come and will become history. The heroes are and will always be the crew and local people, whose names I do not have yet. The Murray River nearly claimed another victim, but missed out this time.

The small function at Boundary Bend was called off because of no large boats and too few people. The major events at Robinvale and Euston have been called off due to not boats and no people. Mildura is gearing up for huge celebrations and events over the weekend of 31st August to 2nd September.

Wentworth Shire Council has received a $5,000 grant since we passed through on the way up for celebrations when the fleet is there on Monday 3rd September. They are supplying wood for the paddlesteamers. There are wonderful people all the way along the river looking after everyone as good as if not better than years ago. Thanks folks.

Everyone is looking forward to the Mildura celebrations and the fleet of vessels leaving Mildura as planned.

Kind regards
Ron Blake
Up the creek.

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August 27th

Hello everyone, The organisation for the Centenary of Federation Celebrations at Mildura are moving into top gear before the big weekend on 30th August an 1st September.

The welcome ceremony on Saturday at Psyche Bend with many paddleboats, heritage and leisure boats welcoming the Indigenous and South Australian tinnie flotilla from Echuca will be witnessed by many people on board and on the shore, including Premier John Olson from SA and Premier Steve Bracks from Victoria.

The historical Psyche Bend Steam operated pumps used to pump millions of gallons of water for irrigation earlier this century will be running for two hours with free admission from 12.30 – 2.30pm.

The final program for Mildura is being finalised and will be included in the next update.

Wentworth is now having Centenary of Federation on Monday 3rd September starting about 2-30pm when the fleet of vessels arrive from Mildura. The Wentworth program is still being finalised.

A fleet of about seventy boats will leave Mildura Monday morning after passing through Lock 11 and pass under the Abbottsfield Bridge, which must be raised to allow taller boats passage. Crew members for the Oscar W and other boats will start arriving from Wednesday to load the vessels and begin the trip from Mildura on Monday 3rd to Wentworth and on to Goolwa.

Telstra are coming to our aid by providing a far superior mobile phone and computer connection to allow far greater telephone service and communication from almost everywhere along the River Murray. That will make three mobile phones plus a Sat Phone on the Oscar W. We may be in contact with the moon or space shuttle soon.

 One load of wood arrived today from the Mansells property at Nangiloc. The wood is old vine end post and many pieces would Arnie grunt (even when he was younger). The wood will be cut to length and split before loading on the Oscar W and William Randle. More wood is expected.

Time to go
Kind regards,
Ron Blake
Up the creek!

 

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August 29th

Hello everyone, the organisation for the Centenary of Federation Celebrations at Mildura is moving into full steam ahead. The Mildura Rural City is working very hard behind the seen and up front and we owe a lot to Julie Jewell who is keeping me and many other people informed and motivated.

A Civil Reception for the Riverboat Captains and organising people sets everything in motion beginning Friday night.

Once the weekend is over we/I have to ensure all the boats get through the Mildura Lock safely and to Wentworth for the next function starting at 2-30pm. Up to seventy boats are expected to leave Mildura and amongst them will be about sixteen paddlewheelers and many others. The Coonawarra and Mundoo are both steaming down stream the same day.

Only about forty boats have been spotted in the Mildura area flying the special Centenary of Federation Flag. More boats are expected.

No one has seen the winged keel on the Akuna Amphibious but it was seen doing sea trials on Tuesday with many local boating enthusiast watching. On place to see many boats will be the Abbottsford Bridge between Mildura and Wentworth. The bridge is scheduled to be lifted at 12noon when most of the taller boats will pass through. It may be lifted at 1pm again for slower vessels. The Coonawarra and Mundoo may go through at other time.

Anyone wanting to take photos should rive a little early because some boats may tie up for a cuppa until the allotted time.

Starting Friday there will be another phone system on board the Oscar W provided by Telstra Country Wide and the best number to call from then on will be 0428 541 418.

The program for the two days of activity is below and will provide great entertainment for everyone at very affordable rates.

  Saturday September 1st 2001

10am Paddle vessels depart Mildura for Psyche Bend
12.30pm Meeting of  the upstream paddle vessels and the downstream Source
to Sea flotilla at Psyche Bend, and official welcome by Premier Bracks
(Vic) and Premier Olsen (S.A.).  Followed by a BBQ or camp oven lunch (low
cost) and free admission to view the Psyche Bend Pump engine in action.
2.30pm Vessels depart Psyche Bend, downstream for Mildura
4pm Vessels moor in Ornamental Lakes area and those that wish to, will
be open for public inspection
6pm Fairy Light parade S bridge to weir & return (perhaps two circuits)
then moor at the Rowing Club Lawns area.
7.30pm Low cost BBQ tea and entertainment at the Lawns area. This area
becomes an alcohol free and no parking zone after 11pm.  Strictly enforced
($100 fine)
 Sunday September 2nd 2001
8am The area between the weir and Pointon's Slipway becomes a closed
river and will be patrolled by Waterways Officer Eric Taylor.  Eric will
also start the heats
10.30am to 4.30pm  Heats and other events culminating in the Great Australian Tatts Pokies Paddle Boat Race at 4.30pm, in which the winners of Heat 5 & Heat 6 will have the opportunity to challenge the P.V. Rothbury for the Signal Point Challenge Cup, which she has successfully defended on several occasions since winning the inaugural event at Goolwa in 1988
Other events during the day  

  • Mosquito Fleet race Paddle Steamer event

  • Cargo loading onto and from the foredeck of P.S. Oscar W

  • Rope throwing comp              

  • Wood loading comp.        

  • Sheaf Tossing comp.             

  • Vintage engines

  • "Sticks" - an old wharf game played by rivermen

  • Musical Entertainment (Irish Band, large mobile organ)

  • Boat Show (Ornamental Lakes area)        

  • Wood Turning demos (at Old Mildura Homestead)        

  • Tickets may be available to  join the P.S. Melbourne in one of her heats        

  • Long Lunch on board P.V. Avoca (Stephano)        

  • Small vessels cruising around perimeter of closed river - at their
    leisure

  • Food &  drinks available        Toohey's new outdoor bar area        

  • Display tents (Riverboat Society, Koori display, Heritage display)        

  • Rowing 8's race, Wentworth Vs Mildura

 What a way to go!
 Kind regards
 Ron Blake

 

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September 1st 

The Great Australian Paddleboat Extravaganza at Mildura started with a huge crowd and many boats of all shapes and sizes at Psyche Bend on Saturday 1st at 12-30pm.

The weather was dull and threatened to rain, but as has been the case many times this year fizzled out to the delight of everyone.

The Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 tinnie flotilla accompanied by the Indigenous Flotilla and local paddlewheelers sailed in from up stream to a colourful welcome with hundreds of waving spectators.

Mildura Mayor Cox welcomed everyone to Psyche Bend and the Mildura area. Premiers John Olson and Steve Bracks and Chair of the Centenary of Federation Committee Barry Unsworth representing the Premier all commented on how great the occasion was with three Premiers together to promote the significance of the Centenary of Federation Celebration along the River Murray.

Once the occasion was over all the boats set sail for Mildura in the longest fleet of paddleboats seen in Mildura for years.

Un fortunately for everyone concerned it began to rain with some persistency about 5.00pm and completely damped all activities

Let the Celebrations begin!!!!! 

Ron up the River Blake

 

 

September 17th

Hello everyone, the weekend of food, wine and entertainment at Akuna Station was absolutely sensational. Peter and Jan Teakle owners of Akuna Station, Peter Ward and staff spent months planning the events and every little detail.

The band on Friday night was great. James Morrison and his band Saturday night were marvellous. There was a lone piper on the cliffs Sunday night followed by a sing along around the fire. 

A new format for paddleboat events that included Captains Skills, music, safety, leisurely speeds, imagination and entertainment was deemed a success. The era of Paddleboat Races is probably over because of the age of the vessels, insurance cost.

There were over seventy boats at Akuna Station and nineteen of those were paddleboats. What a sight.

The flotilla of riverboats sails to Waikerie on Monday and will be arriving the about 2-00 pm. The next night is Morgan and then Blanchetown.

There is plenty of water in this end of the river and the weather seems to be improving so anyone who wants to see paddleboats and have some fun follow this magnificent Centenary of Federation Celebration flotilla and join the events where the vessels stop.

Kind regards,
Ron Blake

On the Mighty River Murray In South Australia

 

September 19th

Hello everyone, The Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 is gaining momentum with more boats joining the flotilla every day.

It is difficult to see every boat at the same time, while the fleet is travelling or moored because the river has many bends blocking the view.

There are five steam-powered paddleboats- the Oscar W, William Randell, Marion, Industry, Etona.

There are a total of sixteen paddlewheelers plus vessels of all shapes and sizes making a grand total of over eighty boats at this stage. At least another six are waiting to marry up with the flotilla at Morgan.

If anyone wants to take photos there will be plenty of chances from Morgan to Goolwa.

Waikerie turned on one of the most spectacular shows for the riverboat operators, school children and spectators during the day.

Several boats provided a Fairy Light Parade during the evening with music from the Akuna Amphibious and dancing on the boats and shore. The evening was came and warm.

Low security prisoner will be helping the load wood at Cadell today and again tomorrow.

We are getting the weather we want now!!

Morgan has a very detailed program of events for Tuesday evening and Wednesday.  

Telstra Country Wide supplied a CDMA phone, heavy duty battery, external antena, Big Pond Internet service from Mildura to help with our communication from the Oscar W to hundreds of people.

The phone is working very well and the computer runs more than twice the speed of the digital phone we were using.

Thankyou Telstra!!!
Kind regards,
Ron Blake

 

 

   


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