Rumbelow Boats
Messages of Support

Quotes

"David expresses his support for the project and is willing to assist with any future endeavours however he can.
He is also exploring ways to make grant funding for heritage projects like yours more accessible."

Sallee Shepherd, Office of David Basham MP.

David Basham MP, Member for Finniss, Shadow Minister for  Climate and Environment , 9th Jan 2026

"I am very sorry about this sad news. It is a disgrace, that this beautiful vessel has no funding or love to keep her in a better state so she could be displayed"

Maureen Jones, Marketing Manager, Australian Maritime & Fisheries Academy, 21/04/2026

"The National Trust South Australia has enthusiastically accepted custodianship of the MV Rambler from the Rumbelow Family and because of its historic value, (and) absorbed the local preservation of the vessel as a project within their organisation as a Trust Conservation Project." 

Michael Simmons. The Victor Harbor Times, 30/06/2017

“The Wooden Boat Association of SA recognises the incredible historic value to South Australia that the Rambler holds. The boat is an important artefact that reflects much of this State’s very early  colonial  fishing, transport, and boat building enterprises. As such WBASA supports immediate action to preserve what is left of this vessel.”

Stephen Conway, Vice President and Editor, WBASA 25/09/2025

"The Rambler needs a CHAMPION to lead a project to at least retain the vessel in a stable state. Even if it never returns to the water (due to the deterioration of the hull) it would be great to have as a museum piece or relocated next to the Whale Centre or somewhere under cover where it can also get some needed TLC."  

Mary-Lou Corcoran - Former Mayor,  City of Victor Harbor, 03/2025

“With benefit of a long time at the helm of the History Trust of SA, I strongly commend the efforts of the Rumbelow clan to see preserved the remains of the family’s historically significant cutter ketch, ‘Rambler’. The rich trove of stories embodied in its timber hull make this an object of value to South Australia’s nineteenth and twentieth century coastal history and narratives.” 

Greg Mackie OAM, Past CEO,  History Trust of SA, 25/09/2025

"It’s vitally important that we preserve and maintain our unique maritime history which played such a pivotal role in the development of communities such as Victor Harbor"

Ron Kandelaars, media producer & author of Victor Harbor - Down Beside the Sea, 26/09/2025

"It's probably the earliest surviving fishing vessel in South Australia, and possibly even in Australia, that's Australian built. Left as it is now, the Rambler would likely fall to pieces within five to 10 years."  

Professor Dr van Duivenvoorde,  Flinders University Marine Archeology by Caroline Horn  April 2023

"My great-great-grandfather died on board. He pulled in a snapper and collapsed on the deck." 

Donald Rumbelow with Caroline Horn, April 2023

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"There was talk of trying to get it fixed up good enough for display but that just didn't happen,"

Donald Rumbelow with Caroline Horn, April 2023

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"It's probably the earliest surviving fishing vessel in South Australia, and possibly even in Australia, that's Australian built. Left as it is now, the Rambler would likely fall to pieces within five to 10 years." 

Professor Dr van Duivenvoorde,  Flinders University Marine Archeology by Caroline Horn  April 2023

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"The trust had tried to persuade the Victor Harbor Council some years ago to look at relocating the Rambler. We would love to see it publicly on display and preserved. It would require significant government investment to make it presentable." 

NationalTrust's past CEO Darren Peacock, 2023

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"The National Trust South Australia has enthusiastically accepted custodianship of the MV Rambler from the Rumbelow Family and because of its historic value, absorbed the local preservation of the vessel as a project within their organisation as a Trust Conservation Project. This custodianship means that Trust’s Adelaide Office will assist with a major promotion of a state-wide and national fundraising campaign on behalf of National Trust Victor Harbor and the Working Party." 

Michael Simmons. The Times, 30/06/2017

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"Fundraising plans and information will be supplied to the Adelaide office from the Working Party in Victor Harbor and ‘Save the Rambler’ will be a new project, publicised within the glossy state and national magazines of the Trust’s members. The Trust will also manage the finances of the campaign in order that donations towards the fund can be made online or any other way are tax deductible and will allow invoices and payments to be made as required from the Victor Harbor Working Party."

Michael Simmons. The Times, 30/06/2017

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“To be involved with the Rambler will raise our profile in Victor Harbor, as it is an exciting project and a piece of history that has been forgotten. We are proud to have some input into bringing the boat back to life,”

Richard Higgins, then Secretary of the Victor Harbor branch of the National Trust by Michael Simmons The Times 19/05/2017

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“The Rambler boat has a lot of historical significance attached to it and this is the sort of thing we need to preserve. By 2020 we will have a vibrant public places arts and cultural centre including the town hall make over and the start of the Sculpture Park on Granite Island and the Rumbelow boat historical monument.”  

Councillor Terry Andrews by The Times 23/09/2016

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"We'll keep her (the Rambler) under canvas at the landfill area where she will be restored by volunteers and then, we hope, she will be moored off Granite Island as a heritage piece" 

Mary-Lou Corcoran - Mayor,  City of Victor Harbor May 2009