Paddleducks
Paddler Information => Research => Topic started by: Barry on March 09, 2009, 09:44:19 PM
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A couple of photos of Ballarat's "Begonia Princess" high and dry on Lake Wendouree. Not the most gracefull vessel. It's been a while since she was afloat, although it's not the first time the Lake has been dry, the last time was 1945. They say on a hot day you can see the water level drop 5 cms over the day.
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For a photo of PV Begonia Princess afloat, and photos of other Lake Wendouree paddle boats, see
www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3547.0
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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It seems that rumours of relocation to Sale, for commercial operation to the Thomson & La Trobe mouth into Lake Wellington, were unfounded.
That would have been a good home, and possibly on the Probus bus-tour trail. It is a nice stretch of river, just the right amount of time, with interesting history (the dredged port and canal plus the swing bridge). There is no commercial operation there.
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
From Sat.28.5.11 Ballarat Courier
Out of steam
Begonia Princess to be removed from Lake Wendouree
Begonia Princess could finally be gone from Lake Wendouree by Tuesday, its owner said yesterday. The marooned ferry is expected to be moved from the lake foreshore early next week after a 28-day deadline set down by the City of Ballarat ran out yesterday. Owner Greg Austin is still waiting on a VicRoads permit for the use of two industrial cranes to lift the vessel from the lake and that is not expected to be approved until Tuesday. Mr Austin said yesterday he had spoken with council officers and agreed to remove the ferry, which has not been operating for 7 years. The vessel will go into storage after its removal, although a new home has not been decided. Concerns of a possible fuel leak into the lake were alleviated, with Mr Austin saying most diesel had been drained from the vessel's tank. The ferry has not operated since 2003 when the prolonged drought started taking its toll on Lake Wendouree. According to the city council, the ferry's licence lapsed almost 3 years ago. The ferry became stuck on the dry lake bed and was unable to be removed. The council claimed the ferry was illegally blocking access to the PS Golden City boat shed. For more than 3 years, Golden City Paddle Steamer club has begged the council to remove Begonia Princess. Club officials, who have been frantically rebuilding the paddle steamer after it was destroyed by fire in 2006, claim Mr Austin's stubbornness to move the boat had cost them dearly. Last year when the council demanded the ferry be removed from the lake, Mr Austin claimed the water level was too low for the extrication. City of Ballarat chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said Mr Austin had given an assurance he was in the process of having the vessel moved. He said the council would continue to monitor the situation, adding council officers were willing to work with Mr Austin for a positive outcome.
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Seems the council have removed the Begonia Princess, apparently causing some damage in the process.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/begonia-princess-finally-goes/2190007.aspx
Interesting video about the lake and Begonia princess at http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2011/06/08/3239147.htm?site=ballarat
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Seems the Begonia Princess is back. She has a new owner and a new coat of paint.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/the-begonia-princess-makes-her-return/2501675.aspx