Trailblazing female paddle steamer captains call Echuca home

You’ve got to be tough to stick it out as a female paddle steamer skipper, but 83-year-old Jenny Watson did just that. See her story.

Paddle-steamer women Beth Connor and veteran Jenny Watson. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Eighty-three year old Jenny Watson says being a female paddle steamer skipper was “tough, very tough in those days”.

Not because she couldn’t do the job, but for the fact it was a man’s domain.

“Some of them would do dreadful things – grab the rudder so I couldn’t steer or come and climb on the boat, but I had the best deck hand ever in Essie Nisbet – she would have a long stick with a blade on the end and she would race at them and they’d soon let go,” Jenny recalls.

“Women didn’t drive boats – they were supposed to be barefoot and pregnant. It was bad enough I drove trucks and rode horses as well but it was my challenge – I thought stuff these guys, I can do it and I can do it well. I’m one of those people.”

Jenny was one of only a handful of female paddle steamer skippers in Australia. She got her captain’s ticket in 1987 – the second female to do so, behind Pearl Collins.

Jenny worked on the Murray River at Echuca for decades, both skippering and engineering, and fondly remembers the other side of the coin, the men who supported her journey and “backed me all the way”, teaching her so much about the industry.

Now retired, Jenny volunteers as a tour guide taking visitors on a journey through time within the historic Port of Echuca precinct.

There is now a permanent Women of the River exhibit at the Discovery Centre honouring six inspiring local women and their achievements and connection to the river, including Jenny and also Beth Connor, 34, the only female skipper and engineer currently in Echuca.

Paddle-steamer women Beth Connor and veteran Jenny Watson are being honoured at the Women of the River exhibit at the Discovery Centre. Picture: Rob Leeson

Beth works the PS Canberra and has the historic vessels in her blood with generations of family involvement.

She has been skippering for a decade and says she still gets the odd ‘female driver’ quip from passengers but keeps a sense of humour about it.

“I have the respect of my peers and that’s all that matters to me but one guy, his comment stayed with me,” Beth grins.

“I was driving the Emmylou at the time and he said, ‘what makes you think you can drive this boat little girl?’ I said, ‘I’ve been doing it for the last 20 minutes and haven’t run into anything yet so pretty sure I can.”

The Echuca Discovery Centre is free and open 9am-5pm every day.

SPOILED FOR CHOICE

From wharf-to-winery and port-to-plate experiences on paddle-steamers, to historic museums, adventure activities, cafes and restaurants, there isn’t much that Echuca doesn’t have to offer.

Visitors can take their pick for transport – hire a limousine and tour local wineries and attractions, take a horse and carriage ride in the CBD, opt for a green pedal e-bike to go sightseeing, or get a house boat for the weekend – the river is a playground for all.

Echuca Moama Tourism general manager Naomi Murray said visitors loved Echuca for its charming riverside setting, rich history, friendly atmosphere and abundance of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for families, couples and solo travellers alike.

“It’s a well preserved 19th Century port – it offers a glimpse into Australia’s colonial past combined with its stunning natural surroundings along the Murray River,” Ms Murray said.

There are experiences to cater for all ages and abilities including rides on the historic paddle-steamers, walking trails, silo art, bike tracks, fishing, and water parks.

The Port of Echuca Discovery Centre is a major drawcard and will soon be the home of Australia’s first five-star paddle-steamer cruises.

Riverside cafes and restaurants with local cuisine offer stunning views and are the perfect spot to relax, or visitors can browse the local markets.

Quirky museums, contemporary art galleries, boutique shopping, family-friendly eateries, chocolate makers and ice-creameries, all attract visitors to the CBD.

From free camping to caravan parks and five star rated accommodation, there are also a large variety of accommodation options to suit every budget.

Echuca has a strong drive economy with 98 per cent of visitors travelling there by car, with proximity to Melbourne just a few hours.

Trains run from Melbourne to Echuca, bus services from larger neighbouring regional cities and more regular flights from Sydney have been introduced at Bendigo Airport, an hour’s drive away.

Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Rob Amos has only lived in Echuca for eight years after moving from Melbourne and regularly reflects with his wife on how lucky they were to choose Echuca.

“There is so much opportunity in this region. Great schools, relaxed lifestyle, so many jobs on offer, we have everything the big regional towns offer, yet in peak hour it takes about 10 minutes to drive from one side of town to the other,” Mr Amos said.

Paddle-steamer women Beth Connor and veteran Jenny Watson at the Port of Echuca. Picture: Rob Leeson