Day for heritage

KOONDROOK’S paddlesteamer heritage was celebrated late last month to coincide with the centenary of PS Alexander Arbuthnot – the last paddlesteamer to be built at Koondrook.

The Koondrook Development Committee brought the 100th birthday celebration to life.

KDC president Tom Chick said the old Koondrook wharf was a hive of activity in the 1800s as paddlesteamers played an important role in shaping the Koondrook township.

“A total of 14 vessels were constructed in Koondrook,” Mr Chick said.

“The first paddlesteamer was PS Emily Jane, built in 1881.

“Three of these boats are still operational today as tourist boats, including PS Alexander Arbuthnot, which is moored in Echuca.

“To see three of the boats still in operation today is a testament to their workmanship.”

Mr Chick said the centenary event was the perfect opportunity to showcase and celebrate the region’s rich paddlesteamer history.

With 12 months to research, plan, source funding and execute an event, a small but dedicated committee began to bring it to fruition.

“There was a lot of history and a lot of stories, and delving into them, the event just grew,” Mr Chick said.

Grant funding came from Gannawarra Shire Council and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

While the PS Alexander Arbuthnot was unable to attend the event due to river levels and other logistical issues, about 500 people joined together to mark the centenary celebrations, including special guests.

“It was a great success and we had many compliments,” Mr Chick said.

“We really did achieve what we set out to do.”

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Celebration of people

A SMALL subcommittee worked tirelessly to research the history of the town and its paddlesteamers.

Mr Chick said the exercise, with help from the Barham Koondrook Historical Society and Campaspe Port Enterprise, was important.

“While Koondrook is already celebrated for its rich timber history, little was known about the town’s paddlesteamer heritage,” he said.

As a result of modern technology and social media, the group’s research led them to make contact with a range of different people linked to PS Alexander Arbuthnot, many who were present for the centenary celebration.

This included descendants of the Arbuthnot and Newman families, who both owned the boat at different times, and skippers.

Divers and the rescue teams involved in salvaging the boat after it sank in 1947, when river levels rose rapidly, and members of the restoration team who helped restore the boat after it was retrieved in 1973 were also tracked down.

Mr Chick said it was great to have these people present and called the event a huge success.

“We thought if we haven’t got the boat, let’s celebrate the people,” Mr Chick said.

“We had so many local groups and organisations help out and the event was also a way to celebrate their efforts. The event was about bringing the community and community groups together.”

As part of the celebrations, a tourism sign was unveiled, providing information on the 14 vessels that were built in Koondrook.

“It also features a QR Code so that visitors can learn about the back stories associated with the boats,” Mr Chick said.

“It was important for us to highlight the historical side and attempt to bring this history into the digital age.”

The celebrations also included an art show, bush dance and children’s entertainment.