'Ruby: One Hundred Years On'
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| Author Jeannette Hope |
The Centenary of Wentworth's Paddle Steamer Ruby was celebrated in July with the launch of
a new book about the Ruby which details both her early history and the more recent restoration effort. The book, simply entitled 'Ruby: One Hundred Years On', features significant Ruby stories supported by a multitude of photos - many of them historic and some never before printed - has been written in a plain, easy to read style.
The book was written by Wentworth resident, archaeologist and historian Dr Jeannette Hope.
Jeannette said her aim had been, where possible, to use contemporary stories to catalogue the riverboat's history, supported by her own research.
While research for the book had taken many months, Jeannette said she had received wonderful help from other people including riverboat author Peter Plowman who had made a major contribution by donating his extensive personal research materials. Jeannette said "I am indebted to many people who contributed fascinating personal stories about their connections with the Ruby and I wish to thank them all".
Jeannette also uncovered a number of discrepancies in what her research was telling her and the accepted Ruby story."There are still quite a few mysteries surrounding the Ruby," she said, "Not least the exact year she came to Sunraysia after being retired as a riverboat. The generally accepted year is 1938, but I found photographs in the State Library of Victoria that would suggest she was here earlier - about 1935." Jeannette is still trying to unravel the truth, but in her book she found room to include information supporting both stories.
"There's still plenty of work to be done and I am sure there are many people with stories about the Ruby I have not heard. If enough new information turns up, we may look at a second edition in the future," she said.
The book will sell for $25 and is available from the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre, Clarke's Newsagency in Wentworth and various retail outlets in Mildura. People wishing to send in mail orders are encouraged to print off the order form on this website and copies will be despatched in the post.
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