Media Release 

Saturday December 13 at 2pm on Nine

SOURCE TO SEA 

The Story of the Murray Riverboats

SOURCE TO SEA – the Story of the Murray Riverboats celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Murray River trade and brings to life the colourful history of old riverboats and shows the dedication and passion of wooden boat restorers.  The one-hour special will screen on Channel 9 on Saturday December 13 at 2pm.

Inspired by the Centenary of Federation's Source to Sea event, the documentary includes the story of steam, the hard work, the humour and the romance of the river trade.

In the late 1800s, several hundred paddleboats and barges opened up much of inland Australia along the Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee Rivers. Today Australia has more original paddle steamers than anywhere else in the world.

"It’s a story about passion and love - passion for old paddle steamers and love of a river,” executive producer and South Australian documentary maker Ian Doyle said.

“Compared to the stories of drovers, shearers and squatters, very little is known about the important role these boats played in the history of Australia. Things would have been much different had Lawson and Patterson written about the Murray and her riverboats. This documentary tells their story,” Ian Doyle said.

The Centenary of Federation's Source to Sea took more than three years to plan and three months to complete. It was one of the most memorable journeys ever undertaken down Australia's greatest river - the Murray - from its source in the Kosciusko high country to the sea at the Murray mouth town of Goolwa.

At times the fleet included more than 200 heritage and leisure craft, paddle steamers and riverboats, some more than 100 years old.  Never before had such a flotilla been assembled on the Murray River. 

Directed by Paul Williams, the documentary features memorable vision and the stories of many of Australia’s historic paddleboats that took part in Centenary of Federation’s event including the PS Oscar W, the PS William Randell and the PV Akuna Amphibious. 

Also included is never before seen private family archival footage and historic photographs and celebrates the unique story of the Murray River trade.

SOURCE TO SEA – the Story of the Murray Riverboats was made with the assistance of Peter and Jan Teakle from Akuna Station and the SA Tourism Commission. 

Proceeds from the sale of the 68-minute director's cut video of 'Source to Sea - the Story of the Murray Riverboats' and 104-minute interactive DVD are in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and can be purchased by ringing the RFDS on free call 1800 813 318 

For further information, contact:

Nigel Kerby
Channel Nine Publicity,
Ph: 08 8267 0208 

OR Ian Doyle, Executive Producer 0417 819 189