Tongala author and artist Murray Ross with Port of Echuca’s museum curator Suzan Dalziel and the three Alex the River Boat books — two of which are new releases.
A paddle steamer picture book character brought to life by one of the region’s most renowned and longest-serving artists has been revived with two new instalments of Alex the River Boat’s adventures.
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Tongala artist Murray Ross, 82, continues to defy father time and was as energetic as ever in sharing the story of how the Murray River-based character was revitalised thanks to an ongoing relationship with the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre.
“I created Alex to tell stories of life on the river, as it was during the paddle steamer era, and to also share with everyone just how important the river is to the community along its banks,” he said.
“That was more than five years ago and these latest two books continue to build on that theme.”
The paddle steamer is loosely based on the Alexander Arbuthnot, which was a paddle steamer built at Koondrook in 1923 and serviced clients along the river until 1947.
There is constant conjecture about the build date for the Alexander Arbuthnot, which was built smaller and agile for the narrower Gunbower Creek tributary tow barges of redgum.
It sank in 1947 and was incredibly salvaged from the mud in 1973 by a group of volunteers and restored in Shepparton. It stayed there until council bought it in 1989 and it was eventually restored in 1994.
In 2015, Campaspe Shire Council approved further restoration works and it remains a popular tourist attraction at the Port of Echuca.
The Alexander Arbuthnot received lots of attention from the port’s shipwrights and should cruise again in the next few months.
Mr Ross has had a long, and fruitful, relationship with the discovery centre. One of the most popular interactive art pieces in the building, and one of the first that people experience, is a painting that challenges viewers to find the 12 Henry Hopwoods (in true Where’s Wally style).
Hopwood, of course, was the English-born founder of Echuca, who turned from convict to police constable within a year of arriving in Australia to serve a 14-year sentence for receiving stolen rolls of silk.
And the celebrated artist’s latest works are expected to attract just as much attention.
One major difference between the pre-COVID-19 book and the two new editions, which were printed only last month, is that all the illustrations are now in full colour.
The first book contained only a splash of colour.
Murray Ross is a regular at the Port of Echuca in school holidays, where he sketches visitors. Here he is engaged with primary schooler Brandon.
That was the major challenge Mr Ross’s editor, and Port of Echuca Discovery Centre museum curation and volunteer co-ordinator, Suzan Dalziel, had for the Tongala art legend.
“It was a pretty big ask, but Murray — as he always does — has risen to the challenge,” Ms Dalziel said.
Mr Ross has been teaching school children painting and sketching for many years; much of the artwork that adorns the walls of Tongala stems from him — as do several pieces in nearby Kyabram.
His first Alex the River Boat picture book is titled What happened when the Murray River dried up? and focuses on the perils of drought. It also details the various uses of paddle steamers through the years, to transport people and goods, along with details on how a paddle steamer operates.
The two new books are titled How did Alex win? and Who is our Hero now?
They introduce Alex’s close friend (and deckhand) Adam into the story line and also feature several of the region’s characters and landmarks — including Perricoota Station, Torrumbarry Weir, Barmah Forest, Tongala farmer Alan Corry and even a Jerilderie-bound Ned Kelly.
Other paddlesteamers such as the Pevensey and Moira are also mentioned.
There are constant explanations provided in the book about references to different river, shearing and rail devices, including a lock and sleepers.
And there is even an opportunity for book owners to follow instructions and create their own version of Alex the River Boat — then email it to the author and artist.
Mr Ross has further plans to develop his river boat character and is even talking about expanding the promotional items available to celebrate the star of his picture book.
He said the books were designed for both entertainment and education.
“I am really excited to be able to bring Alex back to life in these books and hope people enjoy reading about him as much as I’ve enjoyed creating the stories,” he said.
The books are on display at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, where for more than five years (every school holidays) Murray has been an artist-in-residence drawing caricatures of visitors to the centre.
“I usually do 50 or so, which makes for a pretty busy three hours,” he said.
For more information about the Alex the River Boat series, Mr Ross can be contacted at mnjross@bigpond.com
