PS Adelaide 150th

[Barry]

I'll start a new thread for my question.
Anybody know what's being planned and when for PS Adelaide's big birthday next year?

[Roderick Smith]

A low-key local day in June or July, which apparently is the real date, but will have low water.
A more major event (local rally) in September (better water).
Hopes to attend Wentworth Junction Rally ran into trouble, likewise to bring a downstream fleet to Echuca.  Apart from likely low water, there is a temporary bridge at Koondrook-Barham blocking river traffic from July to December.

Roderick

[Barry]

Thanks Roderick for that info. Here's a bit more from Paddle Boat News that I've just come across.


PS Adelaide’s 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2016: Initial enquiries and plans were made to organize a fleet of paddle boats to make its way to Echuca for the Adelaide’s 150th Anniversary. It was looking good with positive responses from the connections, on the ground, at Echuca. Response from the Authorities was, however, slow and without any real enthusiasm. Initial response from RMS (re Barham bridge works) was positive, but eventually put the kybosh on the fleet travelling to Echuca. A pontoon bridge will be installed at Barham and will be in place between July and December, at least.
On a positive note; Echuca Port and the Shire has eventually got its act together, and there are festivities planned. The following is correspondence received from Mesh Thomson, Exhibits Manager at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre
PS Adelaide’s 150th Birthday
Committee
The co-ordinating committee for the PS Adelaide’s 150th birthday celebrations met on Wednesday 23rd September to commence planning this milestone event. The committee has been formed with representatives from the following organisations and businesses:
Port of Echuca Discovery Centre
Shire of Campaspe
Echuca Historical Society
Murray River Paddlesteamers
Echuca Paddlesteamers
Celebration Dates
The committee determined there would be two events to celebrate the PS Adelaide’s birthday, one on her official birthday 21st July 2016 and the other on 24th September 2016.
Celebrations on the 21st July are being planned to involve the local community and schools, however more large scale celebrations are being planned for 24th September that will include inviting vessels from down river to participate. When choosing the date in September the committee were conscious of river level heights and access for vessels.
Potential Activities
Some of the potential activities discussed at the meeting and being planned for 24th September include:
Sailpast & Fireworks on the Echuca Wharf
Traditional Blessing of the Fleet
Heritage re-enactments & Displays
Steamrail trips to Echuca Station
Vintage Plane fly overs
Coordination
Mesh Thomson, Exhibits Manager at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre is the contact for all activities relating to the celebration of the PS Adelaide’s 150th birthday. Should you have any ideas or suggestions to contribute to the celebrations, please provide these in writing and send to 74 Murray Esplanade Echuca 3564, or email them directly to m.thomson@portofechuca.org.au
Let’s get behind the event and put in an appearance at least. The Riverboat Society is in the process of constructing a trailer for the Willaba barge and hopefully will make it to Echuca. President, Robert Mansell, made some noises about getting the SWPB Rusty going again so maybe we can have at least two boats there.

[Roderick Smith]

Hi have dithered around launching Jessie II at Mildura then at Echuca.
Mildura: for Sat.9-Sun.10.7 for the rally for the 60th anniversary of the floods, when small Ferguson grey tractors saved the town.
Echuca: for Thurs.21-Sat.23.7 for the 150th anniversary of PS Adelaide.
However, the weather is cold, and there wouldn't be much cruising.
I have invitations onto other boats, and so will appear without mine.

Roderick

[Barry]

Some photos from Echuca, taken on Thursday.

[DamienG]

 

[Delaunay]

: D Although the hello;
Owl towing antique and with "old" boats!

[Barry]

A few photos from today. A few of the other boats on, and off, the river.
We went out on the Adelaide. Weather wasn't the best rain/drizzle for a lot of the day but it was good to be out there.
Apparently the program for tomorrow is for a sail past of paddle steamers and a firework display. We're booked to go on the Alexander Arbuthnot.

[derekwarner_decoy]

Nice snaps Roderick and Barry....thanks for sharing  .....at least with Adelaide or the AA, you don't need windscreen wipers in the rain ...

Derek   

[Barry]

Some more photos from tonight's sail past and fireworks display.
The sail past order was
Adelaide
Hero
Alexander Arbuthnot (The one we where on)
Canberra
Etona
Black Shag
Ranger

[DamienG]

Terrific Pic's Barry. 

[Barry]

Thanks Damien.
Some more photos from earlier in the day. We canoed from Betts Beach to Echuca.
A bit windy but a good trip non the less.

[Roderick Smith]

Great photos.  What a week.
Murray River Skippers Association held its annual meeting aboard PS Hero on Tues.26.7.  People from afar could then stay on for the Thurs.-Sat. PS Adelaide events.
Warwick Turner's family had had to defer his memorial service until one son was back from overseas, and chose Wed.27.7 for a riverside service, plus an ash scattering from PS Canberra (with overflow guests on PS Hero).  Warwick had been a driving force behind the turning of Port of Echuca into a major attraction, and had been an engineer on PS Canberra and PS Emmylou.  He had also been a foundation member of Sydney Heritage Fleet, and had various boats (including PS Australien) on his farm on the fringe of Echuca.
I went by train & bus for the service, and was driven home.  I skipped Thursday, and was back for Friday, with my normal river deckie arriving by train & bus.  We were on the last Adelaide cruise of the day.
On Saturday, he took my spot as a guest on Etona, and earned his keep by packing the glands for the installation of a refurbished main cylinder.  I had an invitation to be aboard a friend's charter of PS Hero for his 30th birthday, in the parade, and then partying on.
I have been swamped all week, and don't have any of my photos prepared yet.

Roderick.

[Roderick Smith]

There is a second big weekend of operation over Fri.23-Sun.25.9, with a steam train arriving from Melbourne on Friday, running local shuttles, then going home on Sunday.  There are lots of train & paddlesteamer packages available.
This was the original planned weekend, when water is reliable, and downriver boats could rally.  The water is well up, but the temporary pontoon bridge at Koondrook/Barham is not being removed until December.
See http://www.steamrail.com.au/

Roderick

[Delaunay]

Bonjour ;
Vous avez bien de la chance de pouvoir assister à ce genre de manifestations, en France les bateaux à vapeur en état de marche ne sont pas beaucoup.
  N'y a t'il pas des vidéos sur les manœuvres effectuées par vos bateaux ?
Cordialement
 Hello ;
You have the chance to attend such events in France steamboats in working condition are not much.
  Are not there any videos on maneuvers by your boats?
Regards
François