Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and 
Leisure boat Voyage 2001

Newsletter 2
12/08/01

The stay at Lee and Bev Donovan’s home at Robinvale was very warm and relaxing, with good food and good hosts.  

Looking at the array of equipment and items laying around their large yard clearly indicated how Lee and Bev have been enthusiasts over recent years helping to recover old riverboats from the bottom of the River Murray for preservation was very interesting.  A briefing from Lee about particular hazards in the river, likely to be encountered or needing extra care over the next few days was welcome. 

The next morning the numbers of tinnies grew to three when Ken and Marg Horan joined in for the trip to Echuca in a tinnie borrowed from their son in law.

Ken and Marg have lived on the River Murray for the past six years in their boat “Lahara” and know the river very well. They originally intended to go to Echuca and down to Goolwa in Lahara but were determined to go all the way some how so the tinnie trip would have to do.

The three boats set off at about 30 kilometres per hour according to the speed meter on the Akuna Amphibious tender boat. After about two hours lunch was above Meilman Station.

Soon after lunch the fleet caught up to the PV Kingfisher and Mark Davis who we had been in touch with many times by mobile phone over several weeks. The Kingfisher was heading down steam after battling with the snags and shallow water before and near the Bitch and Pups and turned back. Mark had two companions Scott and Julie from Brisbane on board as crew. 

All vessels tied up together and after brief introductions and numerous stories about hazards and water levels decided the sun was over the yard arm at 1-30pm. Eventually the decision was made that we should all stay together for the night. Four slept on the Kingfisher and Ken and Marg slept on the riverbank in their swags. Next morning after discussions about hazard in both directions the Kingfisher continued down stream and the fleet of tinnies headed up stream. 

After about two hours lunch was at Boundary Bend where we met Harry Borman who I have been in touch with numerous times planning this trip. Details about events when the fleet returns were finalised. Christa from the Guardian newspaper at Swan Hill arrived for an interview and photos for the next issue of the paper. 

The intrepid crusaders continued on after lunch to about 30 kilometres below Wakool Junction on a clean sand bar and camped out overnight under a large canvas erected from trees to keep the chill out. There was plenty of wood so a good fire kept everyone warm. Ken had completely stuffed a boat motor propeller and could not go any further. Good friends with good country sense located a suitable propeller in Swan Hill and delivered it to the campsite about midnight. 

The next morning after warming up by a good fire, breakfast and donning several layers of clothes and balaclavas, gloves and beanies the tinnies where off again for more adventure – and adventure it was. Before long the PV Flender Himmel was spotted ahead. Shawn Greer, his father Rick, and part owner of the boat Troy and Dave Conner were on board. We agreed to meet at the Bitch and Pups.  

The Flender Himmel had already had a few problems on the trip. A paddlewheel shaft had snapped while the boat was travelling along. Lucky for them the paddlewheel dropped off in shallow water and did not even fall over so they could see it – which is much better than dropping into thirty or forty feet of water never to be found. Lucky for them it dropped off near where Dave Conner lived and Dave helped pull the paddlewheel out of the river with his tractor. 

Dave just happens to be the son of one of the legendary riverboat Captain Archie Conner who is mentioned in most books about riverboats and the River Murray. Dave is a very interesting old timer to talk with. 

Back to the Flender Himmel after recovering the paddlewheel new shafts were manufactured in Adelaide trucked to the riverbank, which took about a week, and installed. At the same time the lads stocked up with long ropes and winches to navigate the Bitch and Pups or other challenges. 

We spent the afternoon trying to go around the back of the Bitch and Pups because there was no where near enough water over the main riverbed for the paddleboat that only needs thirteen inches of water to travel. That night we all wined, dined and slept on the Flender Himmel which is a very spacious boat that has a wood fire, hot water, 240 volt power for computers and digital cameras, mobile phones and gas stove. We were all wet and tired but good food a conversation was refreshing.  

By next morning the water level had dropped about another nine inches overnight exposing more snags and rocks further up. 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 levels falling they headed back to Robinvale and eventually Mildura to wait for the events and fleet to assemble and continue on down.

I have since heard they had further problems and are sitting on a sandbar at Boundary Bend waiting for more water to refloat and continue on. 

The Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 tinnie boat push from Mildura to Echuca came to a soggy grinding halt during the afternoon of 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 water level was falling and the prospects of going further were hopeless. 

Bill and Penny Connick were our first local benefactors. While I used their phone for calls and computer connection others went looking for a roof. We are housed in a farmhouse at Goodnight to do the washing, to get the mud and grime out of the clothes, dry out and warm up. Ian and Lois Lockhart who have lived in the area all their lives were very kind to us. I used their phone numerous times contacting what seemed like a remote world out side organising boat trailers, vehicles food and tractors to pull boats out and more.  

Frank Ryan from Echuca organised a boat trailer and vehicle to transport one boat to Echuca.  A long time member of the Friends of the Oscar W and engineer Jeff Leverett who lives near Swan Hill has provided a car. The Swan Hill Guardian requested help from readers with vehicles and trailers to move the boats by road.  

The main riverbed by the Bitch and Pups is so dry we took photos and staged a moon or Antarctic like flag display near the middle of the main channel.

Echuca Celebrations

Echuca came to life on Friday 10th August with the Centenary Supper at Redcliffe’s Restaurant where over two hundred people enjoyed fine wine and actors providing entertainment. Cr. Peter Williams of the Shire of Campaspe (Echuca area) and Cr. Brian Sharp Mayor of Murray Shire (the NSW side of the River) welcoming the interstate and local people to the area. 

Saturday was a very busy day with many Street Theatre and other events for everyone including the official welcoming of the Indigenous, and South Australian tinnie flotillas with didgeridoo music and large gathering of riverboat people and tourist present.  

One of the highlights was the Sail Past of many Echuca Paddleboats with Lorraine and I leading the parade in the Akuna Amphibious tender boat, (with 10 metres of bud lighting) and flags flying and Brian and Margaret Rawlins next in the Oscar W tender boat with moor lights and flags. 

Another highlight was the attendance of representatives from South Australian, Victorian and New South Whales Centenary of Federation officials. Many details about the down stream events were clarified and details worked out. 

One of the greatest achievements of the Great paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 – Source to Sea is that it is truly the only three state coordinated celebrations in Australia. Something that was hard to do one hundred years ago and today. 

The Echuca Centenary of Celebrations set a high standard of organisation and coordination and I sincerely thank Frank Ryan and the Committee for getting totally involved, making us very welcome and involving the whole community. 

On Monday the Port of Echuca Steam Boats will travel to the Torrumbarry Weir with the Centenary of Federation fleet of smaller vessels following and below is what was distributed at Echuca to participating boat operators.

General Notice

The shortage of water in the River Murray between Echuca and Swan Hill makes travelling on the river very risky for boats and operators.  

The coordinating committee recommends boats should be taken by road to Swan Hill, or via celebrations at Barham and Koondrook.  

The Indigenous Flotilla will be doing the same so anyone who tackles the river between Echuca and Swan Hill will be acting on their own and need to secure supplies from normal local sources.  

At this stage movement by boat between Swan Hill and Mildura is doubtful unless there is plenty of rain in the right catchment areas, so movement may have to be by road again.-

A number of local Paddleboats will be steaming to Torrumbarry Weir leaving the Echuca Wharf at 9am Monday morning 13th August. 

All other Great Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 operators are asked to gather with their boats near the Onion Patch (Hero Dock) area at 8-30am to assemble as a fleet to follow the local boats out of port to Torrumbarry Weir. Channel 39 UHF for communication. 

The trip to Torrumbarry Weir will take most of the day so taking boats out next morning could be the best course to follow.  

Mildura Celebrations

The events in Mildura will revolve around the river and paddleboats.

Boat Operators are advised that all boats may moor near the town wharf and parks as normal on Friday 31st August.

On Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd September there will be restricted riverboat movement and mooring procedures that will be enforced by NSW Water.

All boats will be required to move to a mooring area above where the Melbourne, Mundoo and Rothbury are moored by 8-30am Saturday and Sunday morning.

Explanation

Last time there were paddleboat events at Mildura a few boats moored between the town wharf and the bridge and would not move. Their action created a dangerous and awkward situation because the paddlesteamers could not turn around or manoeuvres where required.

There will a passage past the restricted area on the Buronga side of the River for boats to reach the Lock area.

Anyone with reasonable transport, supply, phone or emergency requirements are requested to contact Mike Chaplin on 0429336755 who will help during the days before and during the weekend. 

Everyone needs to except that safety of people and vessels is the reason for the restricted mooring plan. 

The Oscar W and Akuna Amphibious may ferry people from the smaller boat mooring area to the main area and return in the morning and afternoon on the Saturday and Sunday. 

Once the events are over on the Sunday the plan is to get about forty boats below the Lock ready to depart next morning as two groups of about twenty boats. In the morning the rest of the boats will pass through the Lock and travel in packets of about twenty vessels. 

The larger vessels that need the Abbottsford Bridge opened will have to wait and go through together, most probably. 

Internet Web Sites

There are three Internet sites that are being updated regularly now thanks to Mark Przibilla at Goolwa, Charlie Tredrea in Adelaide and David Hancock of Hypervision in Adelaide.

http://www.friendsoftheoscarw.com.au 

www.federation.alexandrina.sa.gov.au

http://www.murrayriver.com.au/news/source2sea.htm

The South Australian Government web site is continually updated with information about what has happed and more importantly what is planned in local communities so for full details check out www.federation2001.sa.sa.gov.au 

Swan Reach Menu

Centenary of Federation 2001 Celebrations. The Swan Reach Progress Association the and local community of Swan Reach

Revised Menu for the Swan Reach overnight stop on Friday 21st September 2001.

The Main Course will consist of:
Lamb on the spit and Webber, marinated in local honey, rosemary and garlic, accompanied with minted potatoes, peas, pumpkin and local baked bread and damper.     $8.50 inclusive.   (The Rabbit stew has been omitted due to availability and price.) 

The prices for the Yabby Cocktails $5.50 and Sweets $3.50, will remain the same. 

We hope this change will not cause any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming the 'Source to the Sea' participants to our town. It would be a big help if we could receive the numbers joining us for dinner in advance as we want to ensure a successful catering effort for all.

Graham Barlow 

Goolwa Boat Mooring Facilities

An offer has been made by the Hindmarsh Island Marina of 50 temporary berths at half price for Federation Voyage participants up to a week from the Saturday 29th September, contact Marina direct and first come first served for these berths. 

The Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club has a number of mooring sites with toilets and showers and requires a  $20.00 deposit for a key. 

The Goolwa Slipway 176 Liverpool Road has space for four smaller boats with showers, toilets etc. for $30.00 for the four days over the weekend. Contact them direct. 

Goolwa Events Program

All participants are reminded that the final functions for the whole Centenary of Federation Paddlesteamer, Heritage and Leisure Boat Voyage 2001 are at Goolwa and every boat operator and crew members are invited to the Captains Dinner which will be a fun night not to be missed on Monday the 1^st October in the marquee on the wharf phone Di Adams on 08 85555791 for tickets or use the form in the Boat Operators Kit.  

A bush dance will be held in the same venue on the Sunday night and watching the Fairy Light Parade and fireworks from that location will be spectacular. Tickets at the door. 

There a slight change of timing for the fleet arrival now and that is the Oscar W will be moored by 10.00am for the Official welcome from the Governor of South Australia. Finer details will be in the next newsletter. 

We have just become aware the PS William Randell owned by Roly Bartlett of Goolwa hit a snag between Colignan and Mildura and knocked a large whole in the bottom and sank to nearly three feet before running onto shallow bottom. The William Randell was taken back to Mildura with a trampoline sheath to keep the water out and settled on the bottom again waiting to get on a slip to fix the problem and carry on. 

The River Murray has no consciences and does not care if boats travel, sit on sandbars or sink. Nothing has change in 100 years and never will. 

The Kingfisher and Mark Davis is caught above the Euston Lock and needs more water to travel back to Mildura. 

Another Newsletter will be distributed when the fleet returns to Mildura.

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

Newsletter 1

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