Paddle steamers and barges tied up on the north bank of the Murray River. Neither the boats nor the barges have cargo on them in this picture,nothing is tied at the wharf, and the river is at a low level.The barge, clearly seen at the fore front of this picture, was used to help bring wool and other produce into the wharf. It would have been tied to the paddle steamers via the tow post at the top of the vessel. Some of the barges had steering wheels, like this one, to assist the barge master in manoeuvring it around the bends in the river.Taken from the north bank of the Murray River looking back to the historic wharf. In the fore ground can be seen a barge, the Rothbury paddle steamer, and numerous other paddle steamers and barges. On the wharf side, the cranes are visible on the wharf as are the csargo sheds. The township of Echuca can be seen at the northern end of the wharf structure. Lots of red gums at the southern end of the wharf but only two the township end.In the foreground on the bank can be seen a gentleman, sitting on a log, just watching the comings and goings.Echuca Wharf. "Cover of HCS"Book 6 1995 "E-M, on the Murray" c1905 in colour 10/4

River trade was a cost effective way of getting all sorts of items from the towns to out lying properties. In this instance we have a motor vehicle being loaded onto the paddle steamer Marion at the Echuca Wharf in 1934, to be taken to one of these properties. Hydraulic cranes were situated on the wharf to enable this to be done during all river heights.All types of produce and machinery could be transported from the larger towns to out-lying properties on the decks of paddle steamers. It was a more cost effective way of transporting articles, also a faster alternative than overland.P.S.Marion moored at Echuca wharf 1934. Photograph showing loading of motor car onto Marion, using crane located on wharf. Young local lads on wharf watching proceedings. On-board the Marion are six men guiding the car. Top deck of the paddle steamer we have a lady watching the workers.High river is evident with the position of the Marion beside top level of wharf. Loading a car onto the Marion at Echuca Wharf in 1934

Very high river level, showing barge almost at top landing level of wharf. Barge Rolrine or Kolrine?( unsure of name-cannot make out all the letters) fully laden with wool bales, tied to Echuca Wharf.The wharf was designed and built to cater for all river conditions, drought and floods and all levels in between. The barge is still able to tie up to the wharf and be unloaded even at this high river level. Wool was the main produce bought back into the Port from the out lying properties for sale at markets in Melbourne and at other ports in the world.Barge Kulnine fully loaded with wool moored at the Echuca Wharf in 1923. Barge master at front of load, workers on wharf beside cargo shed. Murry River level high,as can be seen by the amount of wharf visible below main decking where men are standing.On back - 1923 Barge file copy Neg P911.2 P913.2

Echuca was a busy inland Port at the turn of the century with paddle steamers and barges bringing produce into port from out lying properties. These steamers and barges also took items such as flour, sugar, bolts of material,tools and equipment etc. out to these distant homesteads. The wharf in its hey day was 3/4 of a mile long to accommodate the large volume of paddle steamers and barges using it. There were 3 different landing platforms to account for the changing heights of the Murray River.Being the largest inland Port in Australia at the height of the river trade, the wharf was a whopping 3/4 of a mile long to accommodate the amount of paddle steamers and barges using it at this time. Historical Echuca Wharf showing the shaping of this structure- follows the bank of the Murray River. Moored at the wharf are 3 paddle steamers, one possibly being the Pevensey,a barge in the centre fore ground, the hydraulic cranes on the wharf, the 2 cargo sheds that were on the wharf at the time and some of the towns folk out to view the paddle steamers which have come into port. In the back ground left side are the town water towers. Below these can be seen barges moored at the wharf. Centre of the photo at the rear, adjacent to the cargo shed can be seen the Steam Packet Inn. c.1920.KH Transparency Caption No 8 Pev? Tower P/W - M.S. 1915 - 1919 P895.2echuca wharf, p.s pevensey, 1920

Echuca wharf looking north with the barge Federal in the foreground, another barge tied up behind her and a paddle steamer loaded with wool also tied to the wharf during time of high river.River-men waiting on the wharf to begin unloading this produce to be stored in either of the two massive cargo sheds before being loaded onto rail carriages to go to the main Ports of Australia.Echuca was the largest inland port in Australia at the height of the River trade. Paddle steamers with barges such as the Federal would bring the farmers wool into the port to then be taken to markets in Melbourne or the rest of the world via steam ships. This was the most cost effective way of moving the wool as Echuca was the closest part of the river to Melbourne, where the majority of this produce was taken.Drought or floods, the wharf was designed as to enable wool like this be unloaded at all times.Echuca wharf with two cargo sheds on it. Hydraulic cranes are visible behind the barge Federal as well as a paddle steamer. The Federal is loaded with wool, the barge behind her also has a load of wool. The paddle steamer looks to have wool stacked on her front decks, and is seen letting off steam, possibly as she has just come into port. Workers are visible on the wharf, possibly waiting to start unloading the cargo from the new arrivals. Dusting Collin on back Wharf. High River c1915 1916 Federal barge. Looking North. Boat in background same as 394 P916.1

Paddle steamer Pevensey returns to the wharf in Echuca to unload her cargo of wool bales which would have been collected from out lying properties along the river systems of the Murray, Darling or the Murrumbidgee. The bales were unloaded using hydraulic cranes, up to seven men operating each crane. The wool would have been stored in the cargo shed until later being loaded onto rail carriages to be taken to Melbourne markets.When the river was opened up for trade it enabled property owners to bring their wool into the markets in a much faster time using paddle steamers than by transporting it overland using wagons. Each paddle steamer could carry much more than the wagons hence making it a much more cost effective way of taking wool to the markets. The Pevensey being a large steamer was capable of bringing large volumes of wool into the port in each trip.Paddle steamer Pevensey moored at the Echuca wharf, unloading her cargo of wool bales. Men on wharf operating the hydraulic crane to unload the bales. On board the paddle steamer are the crew supervising the unloading. Cargo shed doors open to accept the woolPevensey

Paddle steamers would bring produce into the historical Echuca wharf - mainly wool- from out lying properties. The paddle steamers would tie up to the wharf and unload their produce via the hydraulic cranes which you can see located at the front of the wharf. This produce would then be loaded onto the rail carriages at the rear of the wharf to be sent to markets in Melbourne or from there onto steam ships to other ports in the world.The Jane Eliza has a barge attached to her which would also have been used to bring greater quantities of produce into the Port area.Paddle steamers and paddle steamers towing barges would bring produce into the wharf to be sent off to markets in the cities.Cargo Shed on Historic Echuca Wharf with 3 paddle streamers and one barge moored in front of wharf. River level is low with boats moored at lowest landing level of wharf. Cranes visible on wharf fore ground, these were used to unload the cargo of wool onto the wharf. Boat in centre is Jane Eliza, black stripe. Pride of the Murray or Melbourne at back.Boat at front is Pilot.Background at right of picture shows red gums, tin shed on land on river bank.Pride or Melbourne at back (says K.H) Jane Eliza- Black stripe Finished up in 1900 ( in centre) Pilot or ? P892

Paddle steamers lined the banks of the Murray River waiting their turn to load or unload produce to/ from the wharf. It was not unusual to see this amount of traffic on the river as it was the largest inland port at the turn of the centuryThe paddle steamer Pride of the Murray is still in operation as a tourist boat today. The wreck of the Murrumbidgee is resting on the bank of the Murray River in the dry dock area at Echuca. The date of this photograph is hard to ascertain. The P.S. Pioneer was reported as sunk in 1899. (Ref; Parsons, R. "Ships of the Inland Rivers" p. 117.) The P.S.Thistle was reported to be sent to Fiji in 1881. (Ref; Parsons, R, "Ships of the Inland Rivers." P.136) The P.S. Waradgery was broken up in 1914. (Ref; Parsons R, "Ships of the Inland Rivers." p. 143) The P.S. Corowa was broken up in 1930. (Ref; Parsons, R. "Ships of the Inland Rivers." p. 62.)Taken at a distance from the wharf this photograph shows the paddle steamers Murrumbidgee, Pride of the Murray, Pioneer, Waradgery and Corowa in the fore ground with the wharf as the back setting. Visible on the wharf is the cargo shed and the hydraulic cranes. The river level is low in this particular shot, showing the height of this massive structure. This is a sepia photograph, believed to be the original.On the back of the photograph are written in ink, in the top right hand corner in a circle is written R.1. Also in ink, in the bottom right hand corner is written 896.2. In the same corner in lead pencil is written Box 5. In the top left hand corner AV=No.53 is written in lead pencil. In the Centre of the back of the photograph a sticker with purple lettering says "Not to be reproduced without permission from the National Library of Australia ." In pencil is written the words Echuca Wharf 1885. Pride of the Murray, Pioneer, Thistle, Waradgery, Corowa, Murrumbidgee, Corowa. (?) paddle steamers -Pride of the Murray etc. Echuca Wharf 1885. Written along the bottom front of the photograph are the words Murrumbidgee, Pride of the Murray, Pioneer, Thistle, Waradgery and Corowa. Written on the top of the photograph in block letters are the words; ECHUCA WHARF Circa 1885.p.s. pride of the murray, p.s. murrumbidgee, p.s. pioneer, p.s waradgery, p.s. corowa, parsons, ronald, p.s. thistle

Paddle steamers lined the banks of the Murray River waiting their turn to load or unload produce to/ from the wharf. It was not unusual to see this amount of traffic on the river as it was the largest inland port at the turn of the centuryThe paddle steamer Pride of the Murray is still in operation as a tourist boat today. The wreck of the Murrumbidgee is resting on the bank of the Murray River in the dry dock area at Echuca. The date of this photograph is hard to ascertain. The P.S. Pioneer was reported as sunk in 1899. (Ref; Parsons, R. "Ships of the Inland Rivers" p. 117.) The P.S.Thistle was reported to be sent to Fiji in 1881. (Ref; Parsons, R, "Ships of the Inland Rivers." P.136) The P.S. Waradgery was broken up in 1914. (Ref; Parsons R, "Ships of the Inland Rivers." p. 143) The P.S. Corowa was broken up in 1930. (Ref; Parsons, R. "Ships of the Inland Rivers." p. 62.)Taken at a distance from the wharf this photograph shows the paddle steamers Murrumbidgee, Pride of the Murray, Pioneer, Waradgery and Corowa in the fore ground with the wharf as the back setting. Visible on the wharf is the cargo shed and the hydraulic cranes. The river level is low in this particular shot, showing the height of this massive structure. This is a sepia photograph, believed to be the original.On the back of the photograph are written in ink, in hand writing are the words; Mrs. G.A. Freeman. Union Club Hotel, Echuca. Tress Freeman. Written along the bottom front of the photograph are the words Murrumbidgee, Pride of the Murray, Pioneer, Thistle, Waradgery and Corowa. Written on the top of the photograph in block letters are the words; ECHUCA WHARF Circa 1885.p.s. pride of the murray, p.s. murrumbidgee, p.s. pioneer, p.s waradgery, p.s. corowa, p.s. thistle, parsons, ronald

P.S Rodney with barges Horace & Nelson laden with wool bales bought into the Port to be unloaded onto rail trucks to go to markets in Melbourne. c.1890 Paddlesteamers travelled the river systems to bring wool from out- lying properties into the Port of Echuca to be transported by rail to Melbourne. This was prior to road & rail transport in the 1800'sOne of thousands of photos taken depicting the transportation of wool from out- lying properties to the rail head at Port of Echuca using paddlesteamers. P.S.Rodney alongside barges Horace & Nelson, tied to historic Echuca Wharf, with Pride of the Murray paddlesteamer & barge in back ground all vessels loaded with wool bales and crew resting on these. Riverbank lined with red gums. Handwritten in pen on lower left back corner "Rodney with barges Horace & Nelson c. 1890"farming, economy, p s rodney, port of echuca, wool bales, wharf, barges, horrace, nelson, paddlesteamer rodney, echuca

Four men working each hydraulic crane on the wharf would unload the wool bales from the paddle steamers, they would be placed in the cargo shed before being loaded onto the rail carriages to be taken to markets in Melbourne or other ports in the world.A push bike is leaning against the cargo shed wall, this would have been how the workers got to work each day.The timbers on the wharf decking are starting to show signs of wear & tear from the amount of foot traffic that would be on it each day. The decking was made from the red gum of the area.Hydraulic cranes used on the wharf were operated from the old pump house- now the tourist Information Centre. It would take 4 men to operate each crane to unload the wool bales from the paddle steamers tied to the wharf. The bales would be swung around to the cargo shed where they would be placed before being loaded onto rail carriages on the other side of the wharf. This photo shows both side doors of the cargo shed are open. The mode of transport for getting to & from work for the wharf workers would have been similar to the bicycle show in this photo.Taken at Echuca Wharf with workers unloading wool bales using the hydraulic cranes. Cargo shed door open to accept the bales. A push bike, leaning against the wall of the shed, is visible on fore ground right hand side of photo. on back Neg P 911.5 P910.2

Wool was bought in from out lying properties to the wharf, unloaded using hydraulic cranes on the Wharf, transferred to rail carriages, sent to markets in Melbourne or placed on steam ships and sent to other ports in the world.As can be seen in this photo, the river is extremely high, but the wharf was built to accommodate the changing river heights such as this. Paddle steamers and barges could be loaded or unloaded no mater what the height of the River.Kulkine Barge fully laden with wool bales tied to paddle steamer moored at Echuca Wharf C1923. Cargo shed doors open on wharf to accept the bales once unloaded using the hydraulic cranes, just visible at top of load. Workers watching the proceedings. Other smaller boats tied to the wharf at rear of barge.On back - Neg P911.4 P914.1

Low level on Murray River at Echuca Wharf. Paddle steamers tied up along the banks. Possibly a man on a small boat in centre of river.This bend in the river, opposite the Echuca Wharf is the reason the railways put the wharf here when it was constructed. It is the closest part of the river to Melbourne, therefore the shortest distance to transport produce to the markets.View from wharf looking down river to north side of Murray River bank. Cargo shed visible on left hand side. River level at low, showing sand bank on the NSW side and the red gums along this bank.Paddle steamers tied up along this side bank.on back P908

Wool bought in to wharf for unloading to be put onto rail carriages to go to markets in the city or the rest of the world.Barges were towed into Port behind paddle steamers,usually fully laden from properties along the river systems.It was more cost effective to bring wool form out lying properties via paddle steamers on the rivers than by horse drawn wagons overland. Regardless of the river height, paddle steamers would collect the wool to be bought into Port. In times of drought it would have been more difficult as the river could and would pond, but the high rivers were less of a deterrent because the Wharf was designed to cater for unloading in high river situations.Echuca wharf showing the two cargo sheds with fully loaded barge at front and paddle steamer both tied up for unloading. River level high as can be seen by the amount of wharf visible below the cargo sheds. Two men on top of barge preparing for unloading. This photo was taken after the wharf had been extended as can be seen by it's length.on back Neg P911.3 P915.1

This shows how a paddle steamer would have towed barges into the wharf, often more than one at a time, bringing the wool in from out-lying properties. They would have tied up to the wharf, unloaded the wool bales using the hydraulic crane onto the wharf then the bales would be put onto rail carriages to go to markets in Melbourne. Towns folk would come to the wharf to watch proceedings. This photograph shows the footbridge over the rail lines in the back ground.Hydraulic cranes were used to unload the wool from the boats and barges in all levels of the river.This photo shows the river at the second landing height on the wharf.Echuca Wharf with the paddle steamer Rodney? moored beside it with 2 barges on the river side. The paddle steamer is loaded with wool bales ready to be unloaded onto the wharf using the hydraulic crane at the front of the cargo shed. Both barges beside her have produce on board, wool on the first, the second barge is covered with a tarp, a tender is visible beside the smaller of the two barges.Captain and crew are also visible on both the paddle steamer and barges. Towns folk on wharf looking at the paddle steamer as she readies for unloading. In back ground on left of picture is the over head walk way bridge which crosses the railway lines at rear of wharf. River red gums line the banks of the Murray in the back ground rear right.Wharf c.1890 Copy Hist Soc original Boat (Rodney?) beside wharf 2 barges on river side P893

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a casually dressed man, standing on the River Redgum planks of a wharf and holding onto the chain edging fence. On the right side of the background can be seen wharf buildings which are listed on the Australian Heritage Database. On the left can be seen the far bank covered in trees. The man is Frank Wright and the place is the Echuca Wharf at Echuca/ Moama on the Murray River.frank wright, echuca wharf, murray river