www.awnw.com.au
Issue #259 – Wednesday, 19 November, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
Dreams and nightmares Murray High School has put on quite a visual show for it’s annual Move-A-Thon. The school’s staff and students brought to life ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ as they set out to raise funds for the school. FOR ALL THE GREAT COSTUMES, TURN TO PAGE 6.
Paddlesteamer sails through council unopposed...
All the rivers run By ERIN SOMERVILLE THE fate of the Cumberoona has remained afloat as AlburyCity votes to put the paddlesteamer back on the Murray. The entire community and cultural committee unanimously backed the recommendation on Monday night to sell the boat to Robbie and Fraser Knowles to operate it commercially in Albury when river levels allow. The Knowleses were behind one of the six expression of interest submissions presented to council for the disposal of the Cumberoona last month. The vote means the vessel could only spend up to four months of the year in Albury due to water levels, before it is sailed downstream to be used on Lake Mulwala and the Murray River at Yarrawonga for the remaining eight months. The Knowleses’ proposal was favoured ahead of other ideas for the vessel that included relocating it to Adelaide Nautical College for training, running it through non-profit community organisations, and basing it downstream at Gehrig Winery, or the Ettamogah Pub dam. The winning proposal was initially favoured by council due to achieving the highest qualitative score, which considered factors including use, heritage impact, and sustainability. It is expected the Cumberoona will be sold to the Knowleses with a price tag of
$30,000. For Robbie Knowles, being able to keep the Cumberoona afloat is something he is quite proud to be taking part in. “It feels fantastic,” he said. “We are originally from Corowa, but we have spent a lot of time in Albury Wodonga and around Noreuil Park and always admired the paddlesteamer.” Mr Knowles said the opportunity to save the vessel was a lucky one. He approached AlburyCity earlier in the year to discuss operating a different vessel commercially in the area, before being informed that expressions of interest for the Cumberoona were being received. “It is in very poor condition, it has been dry-docked for a long time now, but the team and naval architect are quite confident.” The works to get the vessel back on the Murray are expected to take a minimum of 12 months, and the Knowleses certainly aren’t wasting any time. Mr Knowles was on the phone with his naval architect first thing on Tuesday morning after council passed the decision, and said he was eager to begin works as soon as the last of the council processes were finished. The Knowleses have not outlined a budget for restoring the Cumberoona. Meanwhile, Yarrawonga Council is expected to back the move.
DMB Dance performers brought a splash of colour to the officially re-opened Kiewa Street. 130854 Picture: ADAM WILSON
After patience, it’s the party
IT MIGHT have tested Albury residents’ patience for a few months, but the wait for a new Kiewa Street has paid off. The city celebrated the official re-opening of the street at the
weekend following its $1.8 million facelift. Saturday’s street party was a fitting way to cap off the major project. For more details, turn to page 3.
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