The Rambler - Still High & Dry

At the conclusion of the Rumbelow 170th Celebration event, representatives of the families met with National Trust of  Victor Harbor to agree on some next steps in the preservation and commeration of the the Rambler.

The Flinders University Archaeology department visited  the vessel several times and supported the need for the boat to be preserved as a historic artifact of the commercial fishing industry. The deterioration of the vessels timbers and hull condition has continued over the last 16 years, to the point that many elements are now unsalvageable. 

In 2025, the Trust undertook to engaged with the Flinders University Marine Archaeology to conduct another survey to establish which part(s) of the vessel that could be retained and relocated on display at the National Trust of  Victor Harbor museum. 

No progress has been made on this.

Of Tragedy and Valor:
A Family of Service

Local journalist Arch Grosvenor began work at the Victor Harbor Times in 1925 aged 14 and was editor from age 18.  In response to the tragic drowning of Geoff Rumbelow in 1975, Arch titled his heartfelt article "Family of tragedy and valor".

This theme of tragedy and valor has been central in remembering all family members who have contributed across the Fleurieu peninsula in rural and agriculture, commerce, sporting, defense, community associations, many of the Rumbelows and descendants losing their life in the service.

Of Tragedy and Valor:
The Peter Matthews Collection

Local Artist Peter Matthews commissioned twelve portraits to capture the lives of local fisherman and their outstanding personalities. The portraits featuring Rumbelow, Ewen, and Shannon family members were painted by William (Bill) Needs and Peter’s younger son, Andrew Matthews.

Peter wrote ‘I offer the portraits so that they may be safeguarded and exhibited from time to time – when hopefully Victor Harbor will have a gallery of its own and that I ask for no remuneration. It is just something that I thought worthwhile of the men portrayed and who lost their lives at sea." 

Rumbelow 170th Celebration Event

The Rumbelow & Descendants 170th Celebration event was held at Encounter Bay and surrounds on the weekend of 29th & 30th March, 2025. 

The pioneer family landed at Port Adelaide on October 9th, 1854, having sailed from Southampton UK on the barque Pestonjee Bomanjee. They then travelled on foot to Encounter Bay arriving on the 5th of January 1855.