The Deerubbun
Our dual purpose maritime training and Sydney harbour
cruise vessel.
The Deerubbun (pronounced de-rub-in) is an ex-Navy Torpedo Recovery
Vessel, originally named TRV3. She was one of three wooden hulled
TRV's built during World War 2 for the Royal Australian Navy by
Halvorsen's at Ryde.
The Tribal Warrior Association acquired the Deerubbun in April
2001. She has since undergone extensive refurbishment to prepare
her for use in the Association's Maritime Training program, and
for Aboriginal Cultural Cruises on Sydney Harbour.
 Today,
the Deerubbun plays an important role in training young Aboriginal
people to gain commercial maritime qualifications with which to
pursue maritime careers.
In her dual role as a harbour cruise and corporate charter vessel
in Sydney Harbour, the Deerubbun provides a unique opportunity for
both international visitors and Australian residents to get a glimpse
of ancient Australian culture through their eyes of Aboriginal Australians
in the heart of Sydney.
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| AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS
The only authentic Australian Aboriginal owned and crewed
charter vessel on Sydney Harbour, the Deerubbun is also familiar
to many locals through her starring roles in New Year's Eve
and Australia Day celebrations in Sydney Harbour.
View the video clips of the Deerubbun in the Australia Day
2003 celebrations.
Right: Respected
Aboriginal Elder Uncle Max Eulo, performing a smoking ceremony
on board. |
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Left:
The Deerubbun was Voted Finalist, Best Dressed Vessel
in the Australia Day 2002 celebrations.
Right: The Deerubbun
leading the 2002 flotilla of tall ships into Cockle
Bay in Sydney's Darling Harbour.
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| History of The Deerubbun
During her career with the Royal Australian Navy,
TRV3 was based in Sydney Harbour at Garden Island
and was under the operational control of the Flag Officer-in-Charge,
New South Wales. Her duty was to assist ships undertaking
torpedo firing trials and exercises.
In the early 1960's TRV3 was sold by the Navy
to the Snowy Mountains Authority for work on
the Snowy Mountains Scheme. She was renamed the Wandella,
an Aboriginal name meaning bark stripped from a tree.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme was completed over a 25
year period, finishing in 1972. One of the greatest
engineering feats in Australian history, at its peak
the project employed 7,300 workers. Today, the Scheme
is one of the most complex multi-purpose, multi-reservoir
hydro schemes in the world.
Wandella carried men and equipment for building
and later VIP's on tours of the Scheme. After 1972,
she stayed on as a pleasure boat on Lake Eucumbene.
In 1984 she was renamed again, after being purchased
for charter work on the Hawkesbury River. Deerubbun
is the Dharug people's name for the Hawkesbury
River. |
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Specifications
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18.3 metres |
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4 metres |
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35 tonnes |
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Triple Perkins 56-M diesels |
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12 knots |
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78 passengers |
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Halvorsen Designed &
Built Hull
The great Australian Halvorsen family boat building
tradition began when Norwegian born Lars Halvorsen
arrived in Australia in 1924. The Halvorsen name has
been part of Sydney harbour's history for several generations
in both peace and war.
They have introduced generations of Sydneysiders to
cruising and sailing, chased Japanese midget submarines
across the harbour, gone to war in the Pacific islands
and been objects of desire for many, including Hollywood
star Humphrey Bogart.
Lars' son Harold Halvorsen, who died in 2000,
was considered by the Australian boating community as
a legendary boat designer and builder. |
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