Questions surrounding the future of the Orbost Curlip have once again been raised, with a small group recently heading to its current site to have a look at the vessel.
Orbost local, Graham Young, raised concerns about the current state of the Curlip.
Through a number of connections, East Gippsland Shire Councillor Ian Trevaskis was contacted and last Wednesday he arranged to have a viewing party of concerned groups to survey the Curlip at the Bairnsdale Tip, where it is currently located.
The group looked over the Curlip and a lot of discussion was held on the site, with the general agreement being that the paddle steamer is still restorable.
The steam engine was intact, however the boiler was a concern.
Different options were discussed by the different groups as to where and how the Curlip will be placed as an attraction.
The original Curlip was built by Sam Richardson and his sons Mark, Alfred and Frank at their sawmill at Tabbara in 1889 and was launched in 1890.
She was the main means of transport for imports and exports on the Snowy River for almost three decades and usually towed vessels in and out through the Snowy River entrance.
She was also used for social events.
The Curlip’s career came to an abrupt end in 1919 after flood waters carried her out to sea, before eventually being washed up near Marlo and broken up.
In 2002, the Orbost and district community started a project to construct a live steam-powered replica of the Curlip.
It was slightly larger than the original to meet safety regulations and to carry extra passengers for commercial reasons.
With the help of State and Federal Government grants, as well as local fundraising, construction of the replica Curlip was started in August 2006 by shipwright Bill Jones, along with the assistance of around 200 volunteers.
She was completed and launched on the Snowy River in late November 2008.
In 2015-16, the Curlip had its survey status revoked due to the inability of the management to provide regular slipping and maintenance.
It was compounded by an infestation of marine shipworms which attached to and bored holes in the vessel’s underwater hull.
A new board of management made up of members from the Gippsland Lakes Classic Boat Club, took over the care and maintenance of the Curlip in October 2016 with the purpose of relocating the vessel to the Gippsland Lakes at Paynesville.
After a historic trip to Paynesville, the Curlip remained at the Slip Road facility in anticipation of a crowd funded campaign to rebuild the underwater hull of the vessel.
However, after five years, the vessel remained largely untouched.
In January 2022, the decision was made by the shire to move the vessel to a site in Forge Creek, where it remains today.
