Getting a stranded houseboat back on to the Murray took two tractors and help from neighbours.
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A heavy old girl, much loved, she had found herself in a rather undignified predicament.
River neighbour and former co-owner Doug Wright noticed changing water levels had left her perched on a large gum-tree stump, her rear pontoons bearing her considerable weight.
When her own motor couldn’t free her, part-owner Ian Fox brought his trusty little blue farm tractor to the rescue.
Its front-end loader appeared to have enough reach, things looked promising, until the tractor’s front wheels sank slowly but inevitably into the mud.
From the neighbouring houseboat came looks of horror, followed by chuckles from the mates affectionately known as the ‘Water Rats’.
We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and call those “nervous chuckles” ― now there were two casualties.
Reinforcements arrived in the form of James Cox and a tractor from his cropping operation, a considerable step up from the little blue tractor’s usual duties feeding hay to cattle.
By nightfall, just, both were free ― safely afloat, the old girl’s latest adventure prompted a look back at more than 40 years of local river life.
Before coming to Cobram, she worked behind the scenes of All the Rivers Run.
Based on Nancy Cato’s novel, the television mini-series starred Sigrid Thornton and John Waters, with the PS Pevensey playing the fictional PS Philadelphia.
According to the owners’ recollections, she carried camera crews and equipment during filming of the paddle steamer scenes.
While the stars appeared on-screen, she played her part behind the camera.
In 1985, Peter Ennals, his brother Gary ‘Hood’ Ennals and Mike Podolinsky purchased her, spending three days bringing her upstream from Echuca to Cobram.
Her spacious deck carried only a small wheelhouse, and a caravan was added through Peter’s connections at Cobram Caravans, where he was known as the ‘Caravan King’.
‘Float a Van’ seemed a fitting name; later she became affectionately known as ‘Hood’s Boat’.
During the Peaches and Cream festival years, she acquired another name: the party boat.
Beginning in 1973, Peaches and Cream became a much-loved chapter in Cobram’s history.
Contributors recall 19 concerts, generally held every second year around Australia Day, drawing leading Australian bands and visitors to town.
The Cobram Hospital ladies’ auxiliary catered for festival river trips, serving chicken and salad lunches beneath the river gums, and guests could enjoy their district from the water rather than the bank.
Musicians, roadies, helpers and organisers also found a welcome escape aboard her.
Among her passengers were Silverchair’s Daniel Johns, Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett, Skyhooks singer Graeme ‘Shirley’ Strachan and the entire Spiderbait rock band.
Australian Test cricketers Steve and Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath also enjoyed a cruise to Barooga Creek and back.
Yet fame is only a small part of her story; strangers have become lasting friends aboard, and bringing people together remains her greatest appeal.
Her use has been donated to numerous charitable causes ― contributors recall a cruise aboard her being a major auction item at MND Victoria’s annual ball for 19 successive years.
Her broad deck has served practical purposes too; during the 1993 floods, Gary Ennals made her available to ferry Ian Fox’s stranded dairy heifers from behind Cobram Station to higher ground, with Ian and his sons, Adam and Heath, assisting.
Six trips also brought the Dick family’s 300 merino sheep to safety.
During another flood, she needed rescuing herself, stranded about three metres above river level.
Three excavators reportedly became bogged before Barooga farmer Chris Stillard devised a solution ― another story best enjoyed once the worry had passed.
Ownership has changed over the years, more recently including the Mogg, Fox and West families, who share both the pleasure and the work.
A recent renovation, including a new deck, has given her a fresh lease of life while preserving her much-loved character.
Her owners see no need to compete with modern houseboats, as her history and the affection she inspires are her greatest assets.
She still carries happy gatherings along the Murray, travelling a little quicker these days with her new motor, and passing other river users with a friendly wave.
Her owners hope future generations will share that pleasure.
There is still plenty of life, and room for more stories, for this grand old dame of the Murray.