Christine Webster, Murray Pioneer

The recommissioning of the PS Canally will be celebrated with the return of the Morgan Living River Festival, on Saturday and Sunday, at the town’s riverfront reserve.

A team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers spent 16 years restoring the 119-year-old paddle steamer.

The PS Canally’s return to the River Murray as a tourist attraction and passenger vessel will be officially launched by the South Australia Governor Frances Adamson, at the Morgan Living River Festival, on Saturday.

Official passenger cruising on the historic boat is set to commence on Sunday, marking an exciting new chapter for the historic paddle steamer and the Morgan community.

Morgan Community Development & Tourism Association (MCDTA) chairperson, and co-ordinator of the festival, Di Hausler said most of the accommodation in Morgan has been fully booked for the two-day event.

“Although the festival is about the celebration of river life and past river trade, we wanted to focus this one on the recommissioning of the PS Canally because it’s such an important event not only for Morgan, but for the Mid Murray and for tourism in South Australia,” Ms Hausler said.

She said the event was expected to attract boat and river enthusiasts from all over Australia.

The PS Marion, based at Mannum, and the PS Oscar W, from Goolwa, and their crews will also take part in the festivities, and other boats from Goolwa, Mannum and Murray Bridge will be visiting.

“I think we have about 15-to-17 boats booked at the Morgan riverfront,” Ms Hausler said.

She said unfortunately the PW Mayflower will be unable to travel to Morgan for the occasion as her engine needs to be repaired.

Ms Hausler said the PS Industry, based at Renmark, and other boats from NSW and Victoria will be unable to attend the festival due to Lock 5 being closed, while repairs were underway.

Volunteers working on the restoration of the PS Canally first held the Morgan Living River Festival in 2014 to raise funds for the project, and its success led to the event being run again in 2015 and 2016.

Ms Hausler said the Mid Murray Council then co-ordinated the festival in 2017 and 2019.

The festival was paused for several years partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2022/2023 River Murray flood.

She said this year’s Morgan Living River Festival has been organised by volunteers from the MCDTA, with funding from the South Australian Tourism Commission.

The event on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 4pm both days, will feature riverboat cruises, wooden boats, a vintage speed boat, static and historical displays and a range of heritage exhibits.

Live music, food stalls, local produce, and children’s entertainment will also be on offer.

A Living River Skippers’ dinner will be held on Saturday night at the Morgan Sporting Complex, where guests will enjoy a three-course meal, historic storytelling, and live music with bookings for the event required.

For more information visit southaustralia.com/products/riverland/event/morgan-living-river-festival.

Community volunteer contribution recognised on board the PS Canally

A spirit of generosity, community pride and heartfelt appreciation was on full display aboard the historic PS Canally recently when volunteers and supporters gathered for a special training cruise, and official presentation ceremony.

Mid Murray Council’s Port of Morgan Tourism and Cruise Coordinator Theresa Jaeger said members of the Morgan Men’s Shed, dedicated volunteers, and Morgan residents Kerry Thompson and Rose Craig were invited aboard the vessel, as a gesture of thanks.

She said the cruise was to recognise the valuable contributions the community volunteers have made towards the successful restoration of the PS Canally.

At the official presentation held on board the boat, Rose and Kerry proudly donated six magnificent handmade quilts for the crew cabin bunk beds.

The quilts, carefully crafted with warmth and care, were presented alongside a special Presentation Certificate to PS Canally engineer and volunteer supervisor, Phil Reed before an eager and appreciative audience.

The certificate carried the touching message, “To keep your bunks warm and cosy and long may your paddles turn”.

Ms Jaeger said the quilts were lovingly made by Rose and Kerry, with the project also supported by generous donations from many members of the local community who contributed towards helping fund and complete the work.

“The presentation marks yet another milestone in the remarkable restoration journey of the PS Canally,” she said.

The vessel has now successfully completed the survey requirements needed.

The PS Canally will be recommissioned at the Morgan Living River Festival on Saturday, May 30, at Railway Terrace, in Morgan.

Ms Jaeger said official passenger cruising is set to commence the following day on Sunday, May 31, marking an exciting new chapter for the historic paddle steamer and the Morgan community.

“The dedication and tireless efforts of hardworking volunteers throughout the region continue to demonstrate that community spirit remains the backbone of projects such as these,” she said.

“Their passion, generosity and commitment have helped preserve an important piece of river history for future generations to enjoy.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 27 May 2026.