PS Marion cruises on Aus Day W/E

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & thanks Roderick....for "as usual" good coverage &

Those straight cut spur gears on Marion's paddle shaft drive are getting very CLUNKY 

Derek 

[Roderick Smith]

In summary: Sat.5 & Sun.6.10, the last short cruises of the 2013 season, with a blacksmithing day at the related Mannum museum.
10.30, 12.00, 13.30 & 15.00.
Sat.7 (booked out) & Sun.8.12 (some spots) Christmas lunch cruises: board at 10.30 for 11.00.
www.psmarion.com  (08) 8569 1303

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

The active volunteers have another busy program for this year.
See: www.psmarion.com for the full program, and downloadable brochures.
The big one will be the 150th anniversary of Chowilla Station, upstream of Renmark.  PS Oscar W will voyage from Goolwa, joined by PS Marion from Mannum and PS Industry locally.  River gossip hopes that PS Ruby will voyage from Wentworth, but that is not yet on a calendar.  As usual, a cluster of private owners will be present, and wooden boats & steam launches have been invited.  I will be on an Amazon River cruise on those dates, linking with a group tour of steam-worked preservation railways in southern Brazil.
September 10 - 21 Long Overnight Cruise, Mannum-Chowilla Station.
September 20 Chowilla 150th Open Day – short cruises.
October 17-23 Long overnight Cruise Berri-Mannum.

Also major: Sat.15 & Sun.16.11, an All Steamed Up rally at Mannum, marking the 20th anniversary of Marion's return to service.

Every time I invite overseas readers to come to a major Murray event, they don't.  However, budget airlines keep entering the market, and it is possible to fly with only one stop.
Perfection would be a Marion voyage linking to a Ruby voyage, then hire a car to visit the various river towns and operations: about 3 weeks all up.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

PS Ruby is not onto the website as a committed voyage to Chowilla, but inside information hints: very likely.  Outiders have little conception of river passion.
For everyone who hasn't been here, this is a grand double to give you generations of history on a single plate.  Keep your eyes on the pulse, find the cheapest flight half way around the world, and be part of Australian history with compatible friends.  I will be missing, as the dates clash with a Brazil tour and Amazon voyage.  For the rest: chances like this, with such convenience, are rare.  If you don't grab it now, you will always be kicking yourself (like river fishermen): the 'one which got away'.
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Here is the brochure for the Chowilla Homestead 150th.  It does mention Ruby, but I can't find any details on any website.  The Ruby site is down, and general Murray websites are not mentioning it.  Oscar and local Industry will be there.  I don't know which private owners will be present.  You will have to try for Ruby information by googling for a site, and filling in the form or emailing Wentworth Tourist Office.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Momentum and excitement are building.  This is certainly the major 2014 Murray event.  For international visitors: river and wool history, and our great climate.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

The day is nigh.  Facebook has kept up with the progress of PS Oscar W, PS Cato and PV Amphibious coming up the river.  PS Marion is on the way.  The Mildura fleet is coming in force.  I have finished by Amazon voyaging, but am now on a railway group tour which is what triggered  by Brazil holiday.  Information and photo from my Friends of Marion membership.

CHOWILLA STATION 150TH CELEBRATIONS
SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
10.00 am   Event commences, blacksmith & sheep shearing demonstrations. Station Bus tour (1 hour) Tickets must be prepurchased or purchased on the day of the event for all bus tours and cruises on PS Oscar and Industry.
Mamboobies entertainment commences near woolshed.
10:30 am   PS Oscar short cruises – 1 hr
11:00 am   PS Industry short cruises – 1 hr Mamboobies conclude and  Navy Band commences
11:15 am   Station Bus Tour – 1 hr
11:50 am   Navy Bank Concludes and Mamboobies commence
12:00 noon
12.15 pm   PS Oscar W short cruise – 1 hr
Mamboobies conclude and Official welcome by Robertson family
12.30 pm   Station bus tour – 1 hr, PS Industry short cruise – 1 hr, Mamboobies conclude and Navy Band commences
1.20 pm   Navy band concludes and Mamboobies recommence
1:30 pm   PS Oscar W short cruise – 1 hr
1:40 pm   Mamboobies conclude and Navy band commences
1:45 pm   Station bus tour – 1 hr
2:00 pm
2.30 pm   PS Industry short cruise – 1 hr
Navy Band concludes and Mamboobies recommence
3.00 pm   Station Bus tour – 1hr
3:30 pm   Chowilla’s 150th Grand Flotilla Cruise – 1 hr
Mamboobies conclude
4:30 pm   Public event concludes

CHOWILLA STATION 150TH CELEBRATIONS THIS SUNDAY
UNIQUE RIVER SPECTACLE AND MILESTONE EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED
MAGNIFICENT HERITAGE FLOTILLA MAKING THEIR WAY TO CHOWILLA 30 MINUTES FROM RENMARK, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
There will be many heritage steamers, paddle wheelers, paddle boats, a life boat and wooden boats from across 3 States attending Chowilla Station’s 150th Celebrations this Sunday including the PS Daisy.
The PS Daisy owned and restored by Andrew Cook of Cullulleraine, Victoria (near Mildura) is bringing the Daisy to Chowilla for her maiden voyage.  “Daisy” built 1896 in Echuca, operated as a light draught cargo / hawking steamer until 1906/07 then sold to professional fisherman at Menindee on the Darling.  She stayed there until 1943 then towed to Mildura/Red cliffs where she was lived on by the French family until 1948 when the vessel sank. In 1980 an unsuccessful salvage attempt resulted in the engine and wheels being torn from the vessel. 2001 “Daisy” was successfully salvaged with restoration commencing in 2007, launched in 2014.
Hot spots to see the boats:
Thursday 18th 3.00 p.m.                                Arrive Renmark
Friday 19th          11.00 a.m.                           Departing Renmark  in conjunction with memorial service on board PS Oscar W for river boat captain recently deceased: Syd Redfern.
Friday 19th            3.00 p.m.                            Arrive Wilkadene Brewery
                                                    ALL DAY                                MEDIA ONLY – Boats arriving Chowilla
Saturday 20th 10.00 A.M.                                    Boats depart Wilkadene
                                                  3.00 to 4.00 p.m.   MEDIA ONLY -  Boats  arrive Chowilla from Mildura/Wentworth arriving including the PS Daisy, PS  Ruby, Willaba Lifeboat, PB Mathew James, PB Miralie, PB Ferguson, PB Lilian, PB Shiralee,  PB Settler,
                                                                                                                    PB Shay and many more.
Sunday 21st      From 10am                  Boats on display, one hour cruises on the PS Industry and PS Oscar W
Sunday 21st          3.30 p.m.                           Grand Flotilla Cruise – Chowilla  Station
Monday 22nd 8.00 a.m.                 MEDIA ONLY – SA Boats depart Chowilla Station for Remark
                                                    1.00 p.m.                              Arrive Renmark
Event programme attached for the public event on Sunday 21st September.
EVENT INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
Event: Chowilla Station 150th Celebrations –
Place:   Chowilla Station, Wentworth Road, 30 minutes from Renmark, South Australia
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2014
Times: 10am-4:30pm
Entry: Gold coin donation
Enquiries: Renmark Visitor Information Centre tourist@renmarkparinga.sa.gov.auPhone: 1300 661 704 or visit www.chowilla.com.au
Program: PS Oscar and PS Industry - One hour river cruises:
10:30am PS Oscar
11am PS Industry
12pm PS Oscar
12:30pm PS Industry
1:30pm PS Oscar
3:30pm Chowilla’s Grand Flotilla Cruise
Cruise cost: $20 Adults, $15 Concession, 5-13 years $10, Family $50 (2 adults 2 children) children under five years, free.
Guided bus tours of Chowilla: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm and 3pm
Cost: Adult $15, Concession $12, 5-13 $7.50, Family $37.50 (2 adults and 2children) children under five years free.
Cruise and Bus Tour Bookings:
Renmark Visitor Information Centre tourist@renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au Phone: 1300 661 704 Chowilla Woolshed events:
Blacksmith demonstrations, Sheep shearing,Blade shearing, explore the levy banks, shearer quarters and woolshed, liveentertainment.
Food stalls/bar facilities
Wooden boats and paddle steamers on display including the PS Marion from Mannum and the PS Ruby from Wentworth, NSW.
All proceeds will be distributed to participating not for profit organisations and the paddle steamers involved in the organisation of event.
Chowilla’s 150th celebrations will be an river spectacle not to be repeated for many years.  If you require any further information or would like to go on board any of the vessels on the way to Chowilla or during the event, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0414857738.

[Roderick Smith]

There is a set of five photos on open access at <www.facebook.com/yeoldelollyshoppemildura/photos/pcb.633785260075465/633784566742201/?type=1&theater>.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Via facebook: Ruby got stuck on a sandbar near lock 7 (ie the notorious Warrakoo reach); passengers and crew went to the celebrations by bus.  I don't know how/when Ruby was got off.
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

There was a truck rally at Renmark that weekend; many participants went out to Chowilla.  Here is an excellent folio of photographs:
<www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1405415399/#10>

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Gerhardvienna]

Hi Roderick
Great pics, I just like the cars. Things like them are not to see in Austria, thanks for showing the link!
Regards
Gerhard

[Roderick Smith]

Just in from my Friends of Marion membership.
The event is celebrating the 20th anniversary of recommissioning.  In that time, Marion has gone downriver to Goolwa, and upriver to Red Cliffs (above Mildura).  PS Oscar W is coming from Goolwa.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

PS Oscar W will also be conducting short one hour cruises over the weekend.
Saturday: 10.00, 11.30, 13.00, 14.30, 16.00.  Sunday: 10.00, 11.30, 13.00, 15.00.
(Tickets sold at Mannum Visitor Information Centre, or on the day) An additional cruise has been scheduled on the PS Marion:  ‘Pink / Blue Cruise Day’  with part proceeds to Prostrate and Breast Cancer Research is on offer on Sunday 14th December
45 minute cruises departing Mannum Town Wharf 10.30, 12.00, 13.30 & 14.45 at a cost of $20.
Pink / Blue Luncheon cruise (12.00 cruise) – 45 minute cruise on Marion and lunch at the Palm Court Cafe in Mannum $39.
Call 8569 1303 to book or AH 0419765090  further information www.psmarion.com

QUIETEST STEAM BOAT ON THE MURRAY ON DISPLAY AT ALL STEAMED UP EVENT Visitors will hear the sounds of steam whistles, paddle floats slapping the water, blacksmith hammers hitting anvils and the chugging of engines but one boat will be the quietest on the river.
Along with Australia’s first steam car on display at the All Steamed Up event in Mannum, we will see 'SL Qui-e-tude', a steam launch, fitted with a steam engine designed and built by Clive Sterling , the first in Mannum since the Shearer Brothers built their famous steam car nearly 100 years ago.
After being one of the restoration volunteers for 6 years on PS Marion, he decided to design and build his own steam engine in 1998.
“It took 10 months to build the engine, then I acquired a wrecked wooden 26ft hull called ‘Ajax’ from Goolwa” said Clive Sterling, a retired mechanical engineer.
“The boiler was found by well known river identity John Norris for a carton of beer”.
“I took the wreck home and placed a pivot on the stern and the bow to be able to rotate the hull easily and then I set about removing all the underwater lined planking including the keel”.
“I could not have completed the boat in 12 months if it wasn’t for my lovely wife June who assisted me with the fastening of the new planks that I had cut and steamed”.
Clive asked his wife June to have a look in the dictionary and find out the definition of something to say quiet and peaceful.
June found ‘Qui-e-tude’, a state or condition meaning freedom from noise, disturbance and alarm: tranquility, repose, so the SL Qui-e-tude, she was named.
Rob Bowring Chairman of the Mannum Dock Museum said, “Clive is a genius and everyone goes looking for him when the problem cannot be solved”.
“ Years ago when I asked Clive how quiet his new steam engine was, he said, “how much quieter than quiet do you want”.
Clive and his wife used to take “Qui-e-tude” out a lot before the drought set in and his wife June did all the driving (some 4000 kilometres) whilst Clive stoked the boiler and looked after the engine.
Clive further added “Every 15 minutes she needed more wood”.
Later after the drought Clive converted the steam engine to diesel and made it duel fueled.
“I had to find an easier way to operate the boat. I got a flash in my mind one night and got a diesel atomising nozzle and the only place I could get one was form a spit water pressure cleaner. I made a gadget to test how it worked so I made up a manifold and tacked it all together and put in the in the boat and took it on the river but did not have enough power.”
“They didn’t have bigger nozzles so contacted a place in America to find them, cost me $20 here for existing nozzles and $3 including postage from America for the new ones”.
“Technical term for the engine is a twin cylinder simple steam engine with a keel cooling condenser”, said Clive.
“It is a reticulated system and does not take any water in from the river and is this day is environmentally friendly engine”.
“It uses one litre of diesel for every 1.4 km, not cheap but not cheap on wood either and has been using the same oil for 15 years by purifying the oil with a centrifuge. I modified an old milk separator!”
Cruising again since 2013, Clive is very excited to showcase “Qui-e-tude” at the All Steamed Up Event on 15 & 16.11, with the largest congregation of blacksmiths in South Australia, 30 engine displays and 45 boats registered to date to line the front of the Mannum Dock Museum and Mary Ann Reserve near the Bowling Club.
With live entertainment on the Saturday with the SA Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band and the Backwater Band on the Sunday, cruises on the PS Marion and PS Oscar W in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of the PS Marion recommissioning, there will be something for everyone.
Entry is only $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 4 to 14 and under 4 free.
Free parking at the Mannum Football Oval with a gold coin donation shuttle bus to Mary Ann Reserve to see the boats on display, Mannum Dock Museum and Arnold Park for the inaugural All Steamed Up event.
For further information contact the Mannum Visitor Information Centre on 85692733 or visit www.psmarion.com.

[Roderick Smith]

Sunday is booked out; Saturday has space.
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

P.S. “MARION”
Enjoy a unique experience cruising the magnificent Murray River aboard this restored historic Paddle Steamer with a superb Christmas feast prepared by our renowned Chef
Christmas Lunch
5 hour Cruise 2014
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th of December
• Embarkation 10:30 am from Mannum Town Wharf, Mary Ann Reserve for 11:00 am departure
• Superb buffet Christmas feast lunch whilst cruising
o Spiced Herb Dip, Bacon Dip, Dried Tomato and Cashew Dip, Crudités, Smoked Salmon
o Spring Rolls, Prawns with Seafood Dressing
o Homemade Rolls, Roast Turkey with Sage and Pork stuffing, Chipolatas wrapped in Bacon, Roast Beef Sirloin, Leg Ham, Crispy Noodle Salad, Potato Salad, Tomato & Cucumber Salad with Fetta
o Christmas Pudding, Brandy butter and Cream.
• Bar facilities available
• Return Mannum Town Wharf 4:00 pm
Cost: $85.00 per person (including GST) Children $40.00 (up to 14 years of age)
Note: All itineraries and arrival / departure dates and times are subject to change at any time dependant on river conditions and at the discretion of the Captain. Short cruise tickets are non-refundable but transferrable to another short cruise when available. The PS Marion is a heritage vessel, exempted from complying with elements of the SA Harbours & Navigation Act and passengers agree to travel on this basis. Life jackets are provided on board the Marion for emergency purposes only, if passengers require life jackets or buoyancy vests they need to provide their own.
BOOKING ENQUIRIES TO MANNUM INFORMATION CENTRE
Phone: 08 8569 1303
Book on line: www.psmarion.com

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's........yummo all good OZ food  .....thanks Roderick


Spiced Herb Dip, Bacon Dip, Dried Tomato and Cashew Dip, Crudités, Smoked Salmon
Spring Rolls, Prawns with Seafood Dressing
Homemade Rolls, Roast Turkey with Sage and Pork stuffing, Chipolatas wrapped in Bacon, Roast Beef Sirloin, Leg Ham, Crispy Noodle Salad, Potato Salad, Tomato & Cucumber Salad with Fetta
Christmas Pudding, Brandy butter and Cream.

• Bar facilities available  .... Derek

[Roderick Smith]

This one is imminent.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor