Pointon family to bid farewell to Rothbury and Mundoo after decades of service

The historic Rothbury and Mundoo paddle steamers have plied the Murray River for decades, but with the boats now on the market, could their time in Mildura be up?

Two of Mildura’s iconic paddle steamers — the Rothbury and the Mundoo — that have plied the Murray for decades have hit the market and are already attracting plenty of attention.

Their listing comes hot on the heels of the Paddle Steamer Melbourne’s sale in July of this year.

Richmond players set off on Mundoo paddle steamer down the Murray River during a community camp.

Son of the legendary Alby and Freda Pointon, Chris, said the time was right for the paddle steamers to be loved by someone else.

“For me the time felt right. I have gone in a different direction in recent years, I haven’t been directly involved in the business for maybe three years,” Mr Pointon said.

“Alby and Freda passed away more than 10 years ago now, and the business was passed on to me and my siblings — and there is a generation gap even with us — and only one of the grandkids are involved currently in the business, and you sort of wonder where the next generation is coming from.”

Chris Pointon and the Paddle Steamer Rothbury. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Chris is now a shareholder after years of being directly involved with the boats. His love for the vessels can’t be denied as his face lights up when you ask him about his time involved in the family business, whether it was as a captain, maintenance man, steam engineer, or a mechanic.

“I probably filled my fathers role for the last 35 years doing just about all the maintenance, repairs and driving. It was a pretty varied role as far as the paddle boat world goes,” he said.

“I certainly will miss them when they are gone. That’s a big part of it when you’re talking in the family, with my brother and my sister there’s always that sort of sentiment of that’s our family’s legacy.”

The Paddle Steamer Rothbury has been sailing the Murray for just shy of 50 years. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

“When you have a vessel that is 112 years old and we have been involved with it for nearly 60 years now, it’s time to pass it on to the next generation and take on the role of custodian so you can still see these beauties in another 100 years or so.”

Ideally, Chris would like to see at least one of them stay in Mildura but he was realistic on where they might end up.

“I mean yeah, but all the inquiries so far look like they are from other places. We have had some interest locally, but unfortunately it didn’t eventuate,” Mr Pointon said.

“Mildura needs it, the city revolves around the river but we just haven’t seen any more interest.”

So how much are paddle steamers worth on the open market? The Mundoo is listed at $995,000 while the Rothbury sits at $595,000.

Director of sales at First National Collie & Tierney Robert Stephens is the man charged with finding a buyer, and he too would like to see the boats remain in Mildura but won’t let that get in the way of him finding new owners.

“It’s sad, I would like to see at least one of them stay in Mildura, but at the end of the day I am working for the owners and I have to do what is best for them,” Mr Stephens said.

There has been no shortage of looky-loos and several potentially serious buyers since it was first listed in 2022.

Chris Pointon at the wheel of the Paddle Steamer Rothbury. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

“There has been a fair amount of inquiry, we have had plenty of inspections, and a few seriously interested parties out of the district, so that’s where it stands right now,” Mr Stephens said.

Whoever ends up owning one of these vessels will have an experience like nothing else, according to Mr Stephens.

“There’s nothing like it. It’s a great way to spend an evening,’’ Mr Stephens said.

“Think about spending a night in a pub and you’re just sitting there, but on one of these boats you grab your beer and go upstairs out the front and the wind is blowing in your hair with the lights shining on the banks and the birds flying around. It is an experience like no other.”.

For Mr Pointon, he hopes, regardless of the sale, his family’s legacy will be remembered as one of the icons of the Murray.

Paddle Steamer Rothbury. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

“I hope the family is remembered for our 70-odd years on the water and our love for these boats. It’s what we have lived my whole life. Taking people out on the water and up the river is what we do. What better way to spend your life,” Mr Pointon said.