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The Story of Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat

1968: The Beginning

The Lady Cutler was the first of the modern Lady Cutler Class Ferries built for Sydney Harbour.

  • Design and Build: Designed by the Australia Shipbuilding Board and constructed to Lloyd's A1 Standard at the State Dockyards in Newcastle, NSW.
  • Launch: On 10th August 1968, she was launched by Lady Helen Cutler, wife of Sir Roden Cutler VC, Governor of NSW.
  • Route: The Lady Cutler served as a daily ferry travelling from North Shore, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Balmain, Woolwich, and Kirribilli to Circular Quay, Sydney.

1970s: Sister Ships and Expansion

In the early 1970s, two sister ships—Lady Woodward and Lady McKell—were introduced, closely following the Lady Cutler in design.


1990s: A New Chapter

  • 1991: After 22 years of service, the Lady Cutler was decommissioned and moored in Rozelle Bay.
  • 1996: A sale to Hong Kong interests almost went through, but the deal fell through.
  • 1998:
    • New Ownership: Sold to Ron Morrison, a West Coast Tasmanian entrepreneur.
    • Journey to Melbourne: The Lady Cutler left Sydney and journeyed south to Melbourne, encountering hull leaks and mechanical issues along the way. She had to moor in Jervis Bay for a week for repairs before completing her journey to Melbourne.

2004: A Standstill in Restoration

From 1998–2004, substantial work was done on the Lady Cutler's hull and superstructure, but due to sporadic funding, the restoration work halted in 2004.


2007: New Ownership & Refurbishment

  • New Owners: In 2007, Jeff Gordon and Ann-Maree O'Brien purchased the Lady Cutler, bringing the funds needed to complete the restoration.
  • Refurbishment Begins:
    • The vessel was moved from Maribyrnong River to Scienceworks Jetty near the West Gate Bridge.
    • Extensive work was completed, including replacing deck steelwork and reinstating engine controls.
  • Challenges at Sea:
    • On the voyage from Portland, Victoria, the Lady Cutler encountered gale-force winds and rough seas in Bass Strait.
    • After mechanical issues, she was towed to Central Pier, Docklands, Melbourne for further repairs.
  • Return to Service: After four months of additional refurbishment, the Lady Cutler was recommissioned and resumed her service as the Melbourne Showboat on 8th December 2007.

2008: A New Era

  • Recommissioning Ceremony: In January 2008, the Lady Cutler was officially recommissioned by Lady Joan Cutler, wife of Sir Roden Cutler VC, in Victoria Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne.

Now: A Decade of Success

  • 10th Anniversary: In 2018, the Lady Cutler celebrated 10 years of service as the Melbourne Showboat.
  • Milestones: Over the last decade, the Lady Cutler has hosted over 1,500 events and welcomed 600,000+ guests, cruising safely and enjoyably around Melbourne's rivers and bays.

Discover More About the Lady Cutler

For further details, check out the full history and articles on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Lady_Cutler or visit https://www.facebook.com/FerriesOfSydney/posts/108....

Join Us Aboard Today!

The Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat continues to offer an extraordinary venue for unforgettable events. With a rich history and commitment to excellence, we're proud to be part of Melbourne's vibrant event scene.