The Cumberoona is a 25.2 metre long and 6.5 metre wide steam operated (16hp Buffalo Pitt engines) replica paddle steamer which has a mooring point at Noreuil Park, Albury. The vessel was built by the community as the only Albury Bicentennial project. It was largely funded through the NSW Bicentennial Program and the Federal Ship Building Bounty Program. It also was supported by AlburyCity’s in-kin
d assistance, private and company sponsorship and many volunteer hours with a total construction cost of $840,000. It was designed by Sydney marine architect Warrick Hood with construction by Chapple Brothers Engineering. Since its launch in 1986 and subsequent entering of service on 4 January 1987, the Cumberoona has been operated by volunteers (until 1991), AlburyCity Council (1992-2001) and through a management lease (2001-2007)
There has been no operator since 2007, however the boat last sailed in 2006. River levels during this year were unusually high for a significant period of the year due to drought conditions and downstream irrigation demand. In 2008 river levels were less than 1.9m all year which restricted the movement of the vessel from Noreuil Park. After assistance from NSW State Water and the removal of ballast from the vessel to reduce the draft, river levels were high enough to relocate the vessel to a slipway on April 2nd 2009. Over the next 5 years even though hull repairs were undertaken by Albury City Council, the cosmetic appearance of the PS Cumberoona deteriorated substantially. Water leaks in the upper deck of the vessel caused internal decks to rot in places, wasps and rodents made themselves at home, and vandals gained access to the wheel house; stealing the original wooden wheel. In 2014, Albury City Council failed to attract an operator to lease the vessel and disposed of the vessel via expressions of interest. On Monday March 2nd 2015, Robbie & Fraser Knowles took possession of the PS Cumberoona and lowered her back into Wodonga Creek from the slipway she had sat in on private property for my years. The hull repairs were water tight, and a crew of expert steam operators from Echuca and surrounds joined the Knowles boys to relocate the vessel to Yarrawonga for further repairs. They departed early morning on Tuesday March 3rd, and made it to Howlong by mid afternoon, where the wheelhouse was removed to negotiate the road bridge. They stopped there for the night to carry out some repairs and rest up before departing again late afternoon on Wednesday March 4th. The plan was to reach Corowa by night fall, but that didn’t quite happen. On Thursday March 5th, PS Cumberoona negotiated the bridges in Corowa before reloading with wood at 9am and swiftl departing for Yarrawonga. She arrived at her new home by that afternoon, and completed a lap of the lake before being parked, awaiting a new life. The real Aussie spirit was displayed along the Murray River that week, with history proud communities and generations coming out to see her in motion, and lend a hand. We finally have returned it to full service and operate every weekend at the Yarrawonga Foreshore
