News

Popular pollie rallies behind Ruby project

2nd December 2005

THE restoration effort for the Paddle Steamer Ruby at Wentworth has been bolstered by a show of support from Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley.

The volunteer project has reached a crucial stage and Ms Ley is calling for a concerted community effort right along the Murray and across the Farrer electorate to see the historic riverboat restoration completed.

The paddle steamer Ruby was built at Morgan, South Australia, in 1907 for Captain Hugh King and was the fourth riverboat of that name to ply the Murray River.

The Ruby is two hundred and five tons gross, one hundred and thirty feet nine inches in length and has a beam of eighteen feet nine inches.

Beside a cargo capacity of 85 tons, Ruby was also able to carry thirty passengers in style and comfort.

Wentworth’s Federal Standard newspaper of 1907, spoke of her in glowing terms, saying she was “as fast as any vessel on the river”.

The Ruby, the Gem, at Swan Hill and the Marion, at Mannum, were passenger and cargo steamers of the same fleet.

The Wentworth Rotary Club purchased the Ruby in 1968 after she was found rotting away ties to a tree on the river at Mildura. She was subsequently towed to Wentworth where it was found her hull was so rotted all she do was become a land-bound feature of Wentworth’s Fotherby Park.

There she sat for 30 years until restoration began in earnest in 1995.

Now, the Ruby’s board of management has received professional advice that has given the restorers a clear way forward to progress the project.

But, board chairman and restoration stalwart, Captain Leon Wagner, said the restoration had slowed in recent weeks as funds to support the project had become scarce.

“We have been going along so well for so long, but now we are seeking a renewed commitment for assistance from the wider community,” he said.

Ms Ley echoed the call, saying people and corporate entities could assist in several ways.

“First and foremost what would we would like is for everyone to buy at least one ticket in the Ruby fund raising raffle; more would be even better,” Ms Ley said.

“At just $2 a ticket the raffle is very good value and everyone who buys a ticket or two can be assured all funds raised are going to a very good cause.”

First prize for the raffle is a Stacer boat package from Mildura’s Baldwin Boats valued at more than $11,000; second prize is two nights and three days cruising the Murray River aboard the Paddle Vessel Coonawarra and third, a $200 voucher from Wentworth’s fabulous Red Restaurant.

Mr Wagner said he felt confident people all along the Murray River would benefit from seeing the Ruby back on the water under her own steam.

“The Ruby is significant for the entire region, not just for Wentworth,” he said. “Both Wentworth and Mildura were major riverboat ports and much of our early history, and that of towns up and down the river, is tied to these magnificent vessels and the river trade.

“What we are asking people to do is dig deep. We have had many generous sponsors during the past 10 years we have been working on the Ruby.

“Now we would like to see all those who will ultimately benefit from her presence in the region to assist.”

Mr Wagner said a completed Ruby would become a regional drawcard, benefiting the communities all along the river.

While the community is the target of the raffle, Mr Wagner is also keen to elicit the support of companies that manufacture and/or supply equipment and skills needed for the final push to have the boat finished and steaming for its centenary in 2007.

“We need specialist equipment associated with the bilge pumping and fire-fighting systems as well as power generation,” Mr Wagner said.

“Anything from pumps to switchboards, from plumbing to wiring, or skilled labour in-kind would be appreciated.

“We have come such a long way and it would be heart-breaking for our tireless volunteers to have to give up on the Ruby now.”

Corporate sponsors wanting more information on how they can help the Ruby should contact Mr Wagner on 5025 2585.

Community members wanting to take their support beyond the raffle can become a ‘Friend of the Ruby’ for as little as $20 a year for a single membership.

Family memberships are $50 and a life membership, with it attendant privileges, requires a one-off investment of $250.

More information on these options is available from the Ruby’s new website at: www.psruby.com