Here is a message from the organising committee today:
South Australian paddle steamers, Marion and Oscar W are now on their way to Mildura for the grand reunion of heritage vessels associated with the PS Melbourne Centenary River Festival on Sunday 9th September.
The Oscar and the Marion will join up with the PS Industry, PB Amphibious and other riverboats at Renmark on Tuesday 4 September and depart in flotilla formation from the Renmark Wharf at 8.30.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Deb Alexander on 0414 857738 or 180degrees@internode.on.net.
Deb Alexander
PS Melbourne Centenary River Festival Committee
And earlier press released:
MEDIA RELEASE
30th July 2012
GRAND FLOTILLA CRUISES FROM RENMARK TO MILDURA
The iconic Paddle Steamer Industry is cruising to Mildura in September and will be leaving in grand style with heritage paddle steamers Marion from Mannum, Oscar W from Goolwa and invites other private paddle and river boats to join them.
It will be the first time in 20 years the Industry has visited Mildura and will be offering day cruises along the way.
This magnificent flotilla will depart Renmark on the 4th September at 8.30 a.m. to make its way to join Paddle Steamer Melbourne for its 100th birthday celebrations at the Mildura waterfront on Sunday 9th September 2012.
“We are thrilled to be going back to Mildura and will join the PS Ruby in Wentworth along with many other riverboats and heritage vessels for the grand flotilla cruise on the celebration day”, said PS Industry Chairman Dave Nattrass.
“The flotilla departing from Renmark will be a spectacle not to be missed by river or by air as we have very limited opportunities to bring all these vessels together”.
“River conditions are perfect and the PV Amphibious will be joining us as will many other vessels along the way to celebrate the P S Melbourne’s birthday party.”
Day cruises on the PS Industry will be offered as follows:
Tuesday 4th September – Renmark to Wilkadene Brewery
Friday 7th September – Lock 9 (near Lake Cullulleraine) to Wentworth
Saturday 8th September – Wentworth to Mildura
Saturday 15th September – Mildura to Coomealla with lunch at the Coomealla club for lunch
Saturday 17th September – Wentworth to Lock 9
Day cruises will be $60.00 per person which includes a light lunch, Devonshire morning and afternoon teas and transfers included if required.
In addition all vessels will be offering short cruises on the day of the PS Melbounre 100th Birth day celebrations at the Mildura riverfront on Sunday 9th September for only $15.00 per person or you can secure a special heritage tickets which includes one short cruise on the vessel of your choice and the grand flotilla cruise to conclude the day for $25.00.
“It will be the first time the PS Marion has been back to Mildura in 50 years and we believe it will be the largest congregation of heritage and river vessels Mildura has seen for many years”, said PS Marion Chairman Rob Bowring.
“We are hoping many more vessels will join us as we make our way to Mildura and register their vessel to be on display at the picturesque Mildura Waterfront on the 9th September”.
The PS Industry will also be travelling in flotilla formation with the PS Ruby, Marion, Oscar W to Red Cliffs on Wednesday 12th September where lunch will be offered at the magnificent Gol Gol Hotel on the banks of the Murray and will cruise back to Mildura from Psyche Bend on the return trip on the 13th September offering another day cruise in this magnificent part of the Murray River.
On the return trip, a short cruise has been incorporated from Coomealla to Wentworth on Sunday 16th September for $25.00
which will take the Industry under the Abbotsford bridge and Devonshire tea is included.
Don’t miss your opportunity to cruise the Murray on board the historic PS Industry and enjoy the Murray River at its best.
For further information and booking a PS Industry cruise from Renmark to Wilkadene contact the Renmark Visitor Information Centre on 1300 661 704 and for all other cruises contact the Mildura Visitor Information Centre on 1800 039 043 or visit
www.milduratourism.com or the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre on 03 5027 5080 or visit
www.psruby.com.au/ghc.html for more information.
For further media information contact Sandra Daniel from PS Industry on 042 9995005 or email graemedaniel@riverland.net.au.
29TH August 2012
MEDIA RELEASE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA RIVER BOATS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO
GRAND PADDLE STEAMER REUNION IN MILDURA
Heritage paddle steamers and many riverboats are now on their way from South Australia and Victoria to join the PS Melbourne for its 100th birthday celebrations in Mildura on Sunday 9th September at the PS Melbourne Centenary River Festival at the picturesque Mildura riverfront.
The PS Oscar W from Goolwa and the PS Marion from Mannum departed yesterday from their respective river ports and the oldest existing original, wooden hulled paddle steamer in the world, the PS Adelaide, left Echuca on Saturday 25th August.
Chairman of the PS Oscar W, Roly Bartlett said, “Crew are in high spirits. Our Lake crossing was speedy and not rough. The cook says the trip is fantastic and the crew think the cook is fantastic so on day 2 all is looking good”.
“It could be 100 years since Ruby and Oscar were in the same place during their working lives , hence we are looking forward to this amazing reunion of old vessels to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to the PS Melbourne”.
“We had many residents of Mannum waving goodbye to the Marion as both the passengers and the community were excited to see the Marion going back to Mildura after 50 years”, said PS Marion Chairman Rob Bowring.
“The flotilla leaving Renmark will be a spectacle but when we reach Wentworth and join up with our sister ship the PS Ruby whom we haven’t been with for over 80 years, it will be a reunion to celebrate. The Marion and the Ruby were both part of Murray Shipping Company in the 1900’s”.
“When we arrive in Mildura on the 9th September, with the PS Melbourne leading us joined by the myriad of other vessels, it will be truly amazing and an historic sight to see”.
On the 4th September, the South Australian vessels including the PS Industry and the PB Amphibious will congregate in Renmark to leave in flotilla formation to make their way to Mildura at 8.30 a.m. from the Renmark wharf.
“If my father, Alby Pointon was still with us, he would have been overwhelmed with the amount of boats who will make their way to Mildura to join us for this festive occasion”, said PS Melbourne Manager, Lyn McKenzie.
“Our mother and father’s entrepreneurial skills all those years ago has created an iconic tourist attraction, the PS Melbourne, for the city of Mildura and surrounding region, providing cruises on the magnificent Murray River since 1966.”
In 1955, Alby and Freda Pointon moved their family to Mildura seeking a better climate for their son Robert, along with their foster son Douglas. They purchased a small boating business operating cruises along the Murray on a small launch called the Donald Duck. Their residence was aboard a houseboat called the Isabelle. Soon after their arrival, the notorious 1956 floods surrounded Mildura and while still operating what cruises he could, Alby assisted local residents by transporting them to their flooded properties by boat.
In 1957 they purchased an old paddle steamer wreck, the Mayflower, and rebuilt her to carry 60 passengers. She was re-commissioned in 1958. The Mayflower became too small for the increasing tourist trade and after searching along the river they purchased the Paddle Steamer Melbourne, also as a wreck.
In 1965, he restored her to the magnificent Paddle Steamer she is today and she has been carrying passengers here at Mildura for the past 46 years.
The Rothbury was purchased in 1968 and took a long eight years to restore.
Alby’s unique foresight for cruising on the Murray saw him rebuild three paddle steamers; the Mayflower, Melbourne and Rothbury, and he also brought additional boats to Mildura, the Coonawarra and Mundoo.
The PS Melbourne has become a tourist icon in Mildura and its unique whistle is synonymous with locals each time it departs and returns each day and has brought much joy to the many international, national and state visitors who have cruised on the Murray River with her.
“This is not just a birthday, but a reunion of boats from across three States and portrays the amazing passion and dedication of the many volunteers who have taken the time to bring these amazing heritage vessels to the PS Melbourne’s Centenary River Festival”, said Chris Pointon.
Over 35 river vessels ranging from paddle boats to putt putts will join the PS Melbourne for this milestone event and will line the picturesque Mildura Riverfront stretching from the Mildura Wharf past the Mildura Rowing Club who will be offering wine tasting and a delicious barbecue along with many other food stalls and the Sunraysia Farmers Market will start off the day with breakfast from 9.00 a.m.
The Mildura District Brass Band will entertain visitors throughout the day and will herald the arrival of the flotilla from 10.30 a.m at the wharf. Doug Beasy, Secretary of the Mildura District Brass Band said, “We are delighted to be playing at such a special occasion for both Mildura and the PS Melbourne”.
“Our band dates back to 1890 so it is very fitting to be part of the Melbourne’s 100th Birthday joining two iconic and historic Mildura attractions”.
The PS Melbourne Centenary River Festival is on Sunday 9th September at the Mildura riverfront. There will be vintage machinery displays, wine tasting, food stalls and cruises throughout the day. Entry is free and the grand flotilla led by the Melbourne will arrive at 10.30 a.m. followed by the official birthday ceremony.
Short cruises will be offered to the public at $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children. Cruise tickets are on sale now at the Mildura Visitor Information Centre
www.visitmildura.com.au or phone 1800 039 043 or the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5027 5080 or visit
www.psruby.com.au/ghc.html .
Don’t miss the largest congregation of heritage vessels and river boats Mildura has seen for many years. For more information visit
www.psmelbournecentenary.webs.com or find us on facebook!
www.facebook.com/PaddleSteamerMelbournesCentenary ___________________________________________________________________________
Event: PS Melbourne Centenary River Festival
Date: Sunday 9th September 2012
Where: Mildura wharf and Mildura Rowing Club
Time: Commences at 9.00 a.m. and concludes at 4.30 p.m.
Grant Flotilla arrives at 10.30 a.m. followed by official birthday ceremony.
Cost: Entry is free
Cruise costs $15.00 Adults
$10.00 Children under 16
Children under 4 free
Cruise Tickets: On sale now at the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre phone (03) 5027 5080 or visit
www.psruby.com.au or the Mildura Visitor Information Centre on 1800 039 043
www.visitmildura.com.au or visit
www.psmelbournecentenary.webs.comFor further media information contact Deb Alexander on 0414 857738 or email 180degrees@internode.on.net
Enclosed: two press-release photos
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