2.8M in State and Federal funding and $1.2M from the District Council of Port Elliott and Goolwa, was secured in 1984 to establish the Signal Point Interpretive Centre at Goolwa.
Goolwa Contemporary and Living History
History of The Friends of PS Oscar W
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The Friends of Oscar W were formed at a public meeting on December 8 1989. The volunteer group undertook to work with the Council to operate and maintain the Oscar W and Dart. A wide range of specialist skills were needed to provide a crew, conduct weekly maintenance, cut and load wood, undertake major repairs, manage charters and participate in tourism events at Signal Point and along the River Murray as well as feature in television and film productions.
The “Riverport of Goolwa – 1857” logo featuring the PS Oscar steaming between Hindmarsh Island and Goolwa, past the Signal Point flagstaff, was launched through a history trail from Goolwa Wharf and incorporated into all street signs across Goolwa.
From the outset, Oscar W was in demand. Perhaps the most notable event was Oscar W’s return to Echuca in September 1991 on a 7-week voyage. During this trip, she ventured into the Murrumbidgee River for 25 miles, the first vessel to do so since at least the 1956 flood and possibly earlier. She also ventured up the Darling River for 27/38miles, and while at Echuca went up the Goulburn River to Stewarts Bridge, now the limit of navigation on the Goulburn and 1083 river miles from Goolwa.
In 1992 another trip was a record-breaking run to Wentworth in 4 days 23 hours towing the barge Dart. The Friends provided a crew of 18 on the Oscar and 6 on the Dart sailing 24 hours a day in four-hour shifts.​
Moving Wool Bails
The PS Oscar W In decline Murray Bridge
In 1994 she took part in the Centenary celebrations for Waikerie but on return was taken out of commission due to deterioration of the boiler. Ultimately after a huge amount of work, with funding from the Tourism Commission, Council and donations a new boiler was built in 1996. The boiler was installed in February 1997 just 2 weeks before the Wooden Boat Festival with all plumbing work completed in time for Oscar W to lead the Festival weekend celebrations.
The Friends continued major restoration work. This included the removal of the rusted sections of original frames, removal of sister frames and replacement of over 90 steel part frames which were galvanised, complete replacement of the wooden bottom with tallow wood and redgum planking, replacement of most floors and the decaying keelsons. Replacement of iron topsides was then undertaken where it was rusted, with new plating being welded in. The forward hold covering was replaced with welded steel to meet survey conditions but the original coamings were followed so that the original hold configuration is visible.
In February 2001 the Alexandrina Council took over full responsibility for the Oscar W and Dart with a series of Centenary of Federation celebrations held between Goolwa and Mildura in 2001. The 150th anniversary of shipping on the Murray in 2003 saw Oscar W honoured as 1 of 5 paddleboats in a special release of postage stamps. In May 2004 the 150th anniversary of Australia's first public railway between Goolwa and Port Elliot was celebrated with large crowds and excursions from Goolwa Wharf on the Cockle Train and Oscar W.
Inspecting the Paddlewheel Murray Bridge
Council Backs Riverport Heritage Saved by Signal Point
A large fleet of paddleboats from along the Murray gathered for the grand opening of Signal Point on January 29, 1988, by Prince Charles and Princess Dianna. The largest crowd ever seen in Goolwa was present – despite blistering heat on the day.
Jock Veenstra won the tender to repair the craft in 1987. On the slip at Murray Bridge, 21 weeks of repair work were undertaken to make the hull watertight by replacing some of the red gum planks, caulking and fitting new steel sister frames. The boiler was also brought back to a safe operating condition. After 13 years on dry land, Oscar W steamed to Goolwa arriving on 31 March 1988.
On 30 June 1988 Oscar W was re-commissioned by the Minister for Tourism as an operating vessel and tourist attraction at a function on 30 June 1988. The following day PS Oscar W accompanied by PS Mundoo sailed to Chowilla Station on the Murray near Renmark as the centrepiece of a celebration of the state’s pastoral heritage and river trade, returning to Goolwa with a cargo of wool.
However, another 21 years of work would be needed for Oscar W to regain the Certificate of Survey necessary to carry fare-paying passengers.
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The Signal Point River Murray Interpretative Centre and the Hindmarsh Island Ferry at Goolwa viewed from the Murray River.
Photo supplied Jenny Scott
$2.8M in State and Federal funding and $1.2M from the District Council of Port Elliott and Goolwa, was secured in 1984 to establish the Signal Point Interpretive Centre at Goolwa. The centre would showcase the river history of Australia as part of Australia’s Bi-Centennial Celebrations in 1988.
In November 1985 the Oscar W was purchased from the Moritz family for $120,000 by the SA Tourist Commission in partnership with the District Council of Port Elliot and Goolwa. The Dart was purchased for $20,000 and a further $200,000 was allocated to make the craft river worthy.
The construction of Signal Point commenced in 1987 with $150,000 allocated to rebuild the Goolwa Wharf to the north to provide a permanent berth for the Oscar W and Dart – the exact place where Randell and Cadell had launched the river trade.​
Prince Charles and Princess Diana Opening Goolwa Interprative centre1988
Oscar Turns 100 – Return To Survey – Last 20 Years
Regular slipping and repairs continued at Mannum and then Goolwa, following the opening of the Hindmarsh Island Slipway. Finally, after 21 years of sustained effort, The Friends with Council funding support secured a Certificate of Survey for Oscar W in time to celebrate her 100th birthday in October 2008. This was followed by a tour and extensive celebrations along the river. ​
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After nearly 70 years, Oscar W finally began regular passenger cruises from Goolwa Wharf, which required a new level of volunteer commitment. Initially, tickets were sold from the boat at the wharf and at the Visitor Information Centre. In 2003, the Wharf Shed was enclosed with galvanized metal walls to accommodate a boatbuilding business. When that business closed, The Friends found a new home at the Wharf Shed in 2010, establishing a small workshop, lunchroom, and ticket office. They also created “The Riverboat Centre,” a makeshift museum featuring original displays saved when the Council closed Signal Point, as well as wooden boats from Armfield Slip. The Friends committed to opening seven days a week, which proved popular with locals, tourists, and school groups.
The Wooden Boat Strategy in 2021 acknowledged The Friends were the Council’s largest volunteer group contributing over 14,500 hours with an annual labour value of $650,000 dedicated to supporting heritage tourism.
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In 2021 Council released the Goolwa Wharf Masterplan which provoked a huge community response to keep the Oscar W and Riverboat Centre at the heart of Goolwa Wharf.
After 3 years of intense effort by The Friends, new legal agreements were signed with Council in July 2024. The 10-year lease agreements cover the operation of the Oscar W, Woodyard, Wharf Shed and Wharf Mooring and provide clarity and certainty.
The Friends are responsible for day-to-day operations. The council are responsible for underwriting the costs of slipping, insurance, maintenance and asset management with the understanding that The Friends will work towards achieving a break-even budget through increased income. To help achieve this Council provided $250,000 to fit out the southern end of the Wharf Shed to establish a new Riverport Heritage Museum. The Council's commitment over 10 years is equivalent to $1M with The Friend's commitment the equivalent of $10M in free labour.
Oscar W as the heritage tourism flagship of the Riverport of Goolwa and The Friends are a symbol of resilience and commitment by the community to honour our heritage and ensure a lasting legacy.
Themed Cruise Goolwa Wharf 2024
PS Oscar Pulling away from the new ly restored Goolwa Wharf 2024
“The past is not dead, it is living in us, and will be alive in the future generations.”
WILLIAM FAULKNER