morgan to switch on digital television - Morgan, South Australia

P.S.MARION - Living his<strong>to</strong>ry
WOW. 8.30 am Wednesday 15th of September - 49 passengers embark on a journey back in time <strong>to</strong> 30
re-live the bygone days of the paddle steamer. For the next 9 hours the passengers wined, dined & were
serenaded by Warren Hardiman as they enjoyed the ever changing scenery of the magnificent Murray River.
Over four days from Wednesday 15 th <strong>to</strong> Saturday 18 th September, 147 passengers including prize winners from
the River News, Radio 5MU and The Murray Pioneer, enjoyed the picturesque scenery of our great river
between Morgan and Berri <strong>to</strong> the sound of the steam driven paddle wheel. Delicious cakes for morning and
afternoon tea were kindly baked by local ‘Morganites’ Sue Sutherland, Carol Leaney, Lorraine Bitmead and Di
Hausler and these were devoured with glee.
The PS Marion is <strong>to</strong> be slipped in Berri for repairs and maintenance before returning <strong>to</strong> Mannum in several
weeks time. The wheel house was a his<strong>to</strong>ry lesson of it’s own. The <strong>to</strong>tally professional Captain Trevor Bedford
guided the boat upstream and was accompanied by other legends of the profession - Captains Leon Wagner
(P.S.Ruby. Wentworth), Steven Coad and Dick Bromhead - and their knowledge of the River and its
idiosyncrasies was amazing. The passionate and informative volunteer crew, <strong>to</strong>tally loyal <strong>to</strong> the Marion cause,
handled their tasks on board with enthusiasm and kept everyone entertained with their experiences of the river
and love of the paddle wheelers.
Many of the passengers had an affinity with the boat as they had either worked on the Marion, their father
skippered her, or had other family connections with this proud old boat including Ron Toole from Cadell who was
a fireman on the Gem and the Marion and June Vinder from Paringa the daughter of Captain William Drabsch.
People lined the banks, waving, taking pho<strong>to</strong>graphs and asking how they could get on board.
With the help of Deb Alexander, the four one day cruises were a great success and although we only had a short
time <strong>to</strong> organise and advertise these trips, we had a wonderful response from people of all ages wishing <strong>to</strong>
experience a day cruising up the Murray River on this magnificent old paddle steamer.
Our thanks <strong>to</strong> the Morgan Museum for allowing these cruises <strong>to</strong> be promoted and advertised under their banner
and giving more visi<strong>to</strong>rs the opportunity <strong>to</strong> see what Morgan has <strong>to</strong> offer. Thanks <strong>to</strong> CEO Dean Gollan for his
support, the Mid Murray Council for the Community Bus and wood and the Mannum Dock Museum who kindly
offered Morgan the opportunity <strong>to</strong> sell these day cruises aboard the PS Marion <strong>to</strong> raise additional funds for the
Morgan Riverfront Precinct Project.
Heather has received many enquiries from people from all walks of life who would love <strong>to</strong> be part of the return
journey from Berri <strong>to</strong> her home Port of Mannum and has a list of their contact details at the ready.
Here’s Hoping!
Roderick Smith from Surrey Hills Vic<strong>to</strong>ria travelled on all four days and has posted a wonderful report with
pho<strong>to</strong>graphs on the website - www.paddleducks.co.uk -. This information is accessible by people worldwide and
we have already received positive feedback <strong>to</strong> his s<strong>to</strong>ry.
(select Forum and then scroll down <strong>to</strong> Recent Postings - PS Marion Trip <strong>to</strong> Berri)
A boat trip down our amazing Murray River is a great experience but <strong>to</strong> travel on one of the his<strong>to</strong>ric
paddle wheelers like the PS Marion is a journey back in time and we hope everyone gets the opportunity.
Country Fuel Subsidy Axed
South Australian country mo<strong>to</strong>rist will soon pay
more for fuel after the State Treasurer, Kevin Foley
announced he would axe the country fuel subsidy
scheme.
Under the scheme established in the mid 1980's <strong>to</strong>
lessen the impact of higher fuel prices the further you
travelled away from Adelaide, the State government
introduced a subsidy of 3.3 cents a litre for unleaded petrol
and 1.94 cents for on road diesel for distances
greater than 100 kilometres from Adelaide.
The peak mo<strong>to</strong>ring body, the RAA says by dropping the
subsidy, South Australian country mo<strong>to</strong>rists will pay
more for fuel, just as regional mo<strong>to</strong>rists did in the other
states when those schemes were cut.
Its another blow for South Australian mo<strong>to</strong>rists who also
face higher annual charges for a driving licence, plus a
further $2 increase for licence and registration renewals.
New Books and DVD’s
at Morgan Library
New titles every fortnight.
If you don't see something
just ask, we can order books
in, on request
Phone Lisa, 8540 0090
NEW OPENING TIMES
Monday 2pm - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Friday 9 am - 12 noon