DAY 28 - ECHUCA/MOAMA

ECHUCA/MOAMA

DAY 28


Sorry - haven't posted for a few days - I'm still alive.

Long days on the road and public holidays don't auger well for internet time.

And just as I had become excited about arriving in Victoria, I have realised that my camp is indeed on the Moama side of the river – and this I am afraid, is still New South Wales.

It’s OK really, as I have been walking back and forth across the border all day long.

Quite fun actually.

It is ANZAC Day 2008.

ANZAC Day is a day of a respect for all Australian and New Zealand citizens who have served their countries in war and other times of nationalistic calling (Cronulla riots excluded).

It is an official Public Holiday in both countries although many establishments (particularly those that serve the tourist trade) do not necessarily respect it.

I have no opinion either way, although my strong feeling is that if our former righteous leader Mr John Howard still had a say, it would become ANZAC month – something akin to a religious festival.

I can just imagine banter around the party room - but first a consultation with wife and confidante Jeanette:

John: “You know darling, everybody knows that Muslims are basically vermin. They are mostly terrorists or troublemakers. But they do have some good ideas in their culture. That one where they fast for a month – Rama….Rama….??”

Jeanette: “I think it’s Ramadan dear….”

John: “Yes that one. Anyway, just imagine if we set aside a similar time for our ANZACS, where everyone could pay respect over a few beers from dawn till dusk. Sit around talking about the war and every young person could be assigned a digger as mentor. That way, the young ones will learn the full range of Australian history – all the way back to 1915!!”

Jeanette: “That’s a wonderful idea, darling. A great vision!”

John: “Thanks dear, though I think I’ll probably have to sneak it up everybody after we win the next election….”

Thankfully for humankind, they didn’t win the next election and ANZAC Day should remain as it is for time to come….

Today has been a rest day – some laundry, some rehydration and a general look about town.

And I have quickly formed the view that Echuca is probably the nicest place I have visited so far on this trip.

The Port of Echuca is the historical quarter and it is not only authentically preserved (complete with dusty main street and original 1860’s Star Hotel), it has also been tastily up-marketed with some fine eateries and other outlets – all housed in the original structures from the period.

Tourism, for what it is worth, can be either a blight or a worthwhile commodity in the history and heritage of a particular place.

My travels around the world have taken me through many interesting and beautiful places and there are not so many places that have survived successfully by remaining frigid to the mass tourism market.

And it is quite sad that this predicament tends to spoil a location rather than enhance it.

On first impressions, Echuca is a rare oyster – one for which tourism is a necessity but also its best friend.

This of course, has been backed up by the effort that has been made to authentically preserve the original heritage of the Port.

The history of the Port is the riverboat trade – where up to 100 paddle steamers worked the Murray River up and down, supplying outlying rural areas with valuables and other goods as required.

Some of these boats still ply the river 140 years on – albeit for touristic joy rides – and they are mostly in immaculate condition.

Tomorrow, it has been decided, is my day to play tourist.

It is not something I particularly embrace, but I would like to believe that my tourist dollar in Echuca is being quite well spent.