New home for historic boat

Work has started this week on the new home for one of the region’s most historic boats.

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Denis Chapman said the 102-year-old MV Ella was documented as being the longest registered vessel in the Port of Maryborough and was an example of little fishing vessels that operated on the Mary River.

“After the Council bought the vessel in 1994 it was restored by a group of volunteers and put on display in the Bond Store Museum until 2015,” he said.

“When it was removed as part of a revitalisation of the Bond Store visitor experience, the MV Ella was placed in storage with the help of volunteers and the son of the original builder as the new home was designed and built.

“Its new home will be part of the Brolga Theatre precinct – beside the pathway linking the theatre to Lennox Street.

“The vessel is an important link to our past and the display will provide another element to add to the growing list of historical attractions in the city.”

It is anticipated that the project will be finished in August, weather permitting.

The construction of the MV Ella display centre has been allocated $350,000 in funding under Round Three of the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland (W4Q) program.

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said W4Q had delivered jobs and new infrastructure for Maryborough.

“Congratulations to Council and the hardworking volunteers for the excellent work in preserving this important, historical vessel,” Mr Saunders said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proudly protecting local jobs and creating new ones with projects like this, all part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.”

CAPTION: The MV Ella is taken into storage while it waits for its new permanent home.