Jandra Paddleboat marks 20 years of service

Russell and Suzanne Mansell (centre) with grandchildren Tim, Hannah and Paul, and daughter Rosemary Anderson (far right). PHOTO TWH

The Jandra Paddleboat celebrated a significant milestone this week – 20 years ago today, the PV Jandra was launched on the Darling River.

The Jandra is arguably one of Bourke’s most important tourism attractions and is estimated to have ferried over one hundred and fifty thousand passengers down the river over the past two decades.

Bourke Shire Council Corporate Services Manager, Leonie Brown paid tribute to the vessel, saying its contribution to Bourke’s tourism economy was invaluable.

“Most tourists that come to Bourke are likely to travel on the Jandra, and they often wait that extra day to experience a cruise down the mighty Darling River,” Mrs Brown said.

“It’s very important to our tourist product and to our community.

“A paddleboat on the Darling was the vision of Bob Culhane back in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, and in those days, we talked about buying a paddleboat from the Murray and putting it in the river.

Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald. Call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!