THE DROMEDARY

I’ve owned the Dromedary for nearly 15 years, mostly built by Andrew Cook at Mildura - a

man born to build paddle boats. It is a 60’ stern wheel paddlewheeler, weighing 16 tonnes

and only drawing 15 inches of water. When I was living in Western Flat in the Riverland, it

was moored below the cliffs in front of my property.

As I have moved back to my old property at the Range, that is no longer the case and I have

decided to sell it.

Owning it was one long adventure. It was moored at several locations on the Darling for

several years, when I was doing trips up there. That included getting right up to Wilcannia

(by lifting around the Meningie Weir by crane), the first Paddlewheeler or large boat to get

there in 80 years. During that time we had the River to ourselves, which was a great

experience. A number of mates, who we referred to as “Deckheads”, were on board at

different times.

Last week Claire and I did our last trip from its mooring at Younghusband to Blanchetown

and back. It had been at a private mooring, just downstream from Younghusband, at a small

marina owned by Geoff and Angela Stevens. Their help and hospitality has been very much

appreciated. During the recent floods it was quite safe in the reed beds there. The only

damage sustained was a broken stem pole, as it came up under a low branch on a redgum.

Andrew Cook, now retired from building and skippering paddlewheelers, was on board for a

couple of days, with a few other mates.

I will mention here a situation that is unfortunately far too common in this day and age.

Andrew is 57 years old and finding it very difficult to get employment. This man builds

boats, doing all jobs including welding, the mechanics and carpentry. He has held

responsible positions as Lock Master at Lock 7 for a number of years as well. He is hard

working and reliable.

I mention all this in the hope that someone may have some work, either full or part time, or

even a few days here and there. He now lives at Ingle Farm.

This is just another example of well experienced people in their 50s and beyond being

ignored by employers. All that valuable experience wasted, which makes no sense at all.

If anyone has work, or knows

of someone who may have

some, they can contact me.