Where a great lady fell

Where a great lady fell. 😔

Growing up, I read and fell in love with a beautiful book by Peter Gouldthorpe, Jonah and The Manly Ferry. It was one of my favourite picture books and still remains it to this day.

Originally published in 1983, it coincided with the retirement of the MV Baragoola (a word in the local Indigenous language meaning 'flood tide'). This ferry led an incredible life, beginning operation in 1922 and staying in operation for over 60 years. She was the last Australian made Manly Ferry.

Upon ceasing service, she was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and was interior was restored in 2000, with hopes it would be preserved for generations.

This didn't happen. It's offer the be donated to the Sydney Maritime Museum was declined, and councils blocked funds for its restoration. It sat at the Coal Loader for twenty years, gathering rust. Then on New Years Day this year, after years of neglect, it sank.

She had an incredible story. It deserves a better ending than this.