MILDURA’S iconic PS Melbourne continued operating through both world wars and the Spanish Flu outbreak, but on Monday it sounded a last whistle.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced family business Mildura Paddlesteamers to shut down its cruises for the first time as part of national efforts to flatten the curve.
Operator Ashton Kreuzer said it was “very emotional” watching passengers disembark the paddlesteamer on Monday, but recognised it was the right move to keep everyone safe and healthy.
“My grandparents started Mildura Paddlesteamers in 1955 and have always had a boat operated … they even helped people out of their houses in the floods,” she said.
“Floods, droughts … we still always cruised.”
Ms Kreuzer said the business was contemplating cutting down on cruises, but the Federal Government announcement on Sunday to shut down non-essential licensed activities cemented the decision.
“Being a tourism operator that is also licensed, we were in two minds whether we fell in that category,” she said.
“But with the nature of tourism and people travelling through different destinations, it also comes back down to staff safety and that was the ultimate deciding decision of do we or don’t we.”
The PS Melbourne was built in 1912 and has operated every day except Christmas Day for more than 45 years.
“We have people who are saying ‘we’re booked in a couple of weeks, you guys keep the money but can we use the tickets later’,” Ms Kreuzer said.
“That’s our next step in encouraging people to book through buying gift cards … perhaps for people to use next year just to keep something coming in.
“Our insurance will be our biggest expense … there are massive insurance expenses.”
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While Ms Kreuzer said the news had been “devastating”, the outpouring of support from the community had been heartening for the business.
“We’ve had people message us saying they’re going to miss hearing the Melbourne’s whistle around Mildura … it’s going to sound weird without it,” she said.
“We’re very emotional … it’s a big kick in the guts at the moment.”
The PS Melbourne is set to receive some TLC and maintenance during the shutdown period before returning to “cruise mode” as soon as the shutdown is lifted.
