In 1962, wheat farmer Geoff Ward jumped at the chance to play his part in transporting the renowned PS Gem paddle-steamer hundreds of kilometres up the Murray River from Mildura to Swan Hill in Victoria's north-west.
"I had done hard work on the farm at all hours of the night so this would be a different experience," he said.
"It was an adventure."
Mr Ward, then 23, boarded the vessel at Boundary Bend, west of Swan Hill, and for the equivalent of $5 a day, he undertook duties that included general maintenance, painting and cleaning the toilet.
"The camaraderie was great," Mr Ward said.
"After work the crew would assemble in the dining area for a very good night of fellowship, with plenty of drinks and all sorts of high jinx.
"It was a fun experience, a tremendous experience but obviously when you got up at 6 o'clock in the morning, you had to get the boiler going and build up a head of steam. You had your duties."
It has been 60 years since the Gem arrived at its present location at the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement, an open-air museum on the banks of the Little Murray River.
Diamond Jubilee celebrations are taking place in the community, including a newly launched exhibition that pays homage to those who helped get the vessel to the regional city.
Long journey home
Built further upstream at Moama in 1876, the Gem functioned as a cargo ship and tourist passenger vessel.
It was retired in the early 1950s and moored at Mildura before being acquired by the Pioneer Settlement in 1962 for £A4,000.
The Gem had no engine by that time, so it had to be towed up the river by the PS Oscar W and passed under the Swan Hill bridge on June 22, 1963.
"The stories from that trip are really funny and obviously people got frustrated," said Jess Warburton, general manager at the Pioneer Settlement.
It was thought the trip would take 10 days. However, the Gem became stuck at the Bitch and Pups reef near the New South Wales farming district of Goodnight, where it remained for nine months before water levels were high enough for the journey to proceed.
"The people in Mildura, who we purchased the Gem from, really though it would fall apart or it would sink before it got here," Ms Warburton said.
"Nobody had a lot of faith that she would make it, but she did and still stands today."
Queen of the Murray
During its working years, the Gem was the largest passenger steamer on the river and was affectionately known as the Queen of the Murray.
Its use has changed over its six decades at Swan Hill, from being an entrance to the Pioneer Settlement to an art gallery and even a restaurant.
Mark Smith has been involved in the paddle steamer's multi-stage restoration, which has been ongoing since 1998.
He said the vessel originally boasted hot and cold running water, electric lighting and a kitchen that served passengers three hot meals a day.
"It was one of the most luxurious boats you could travel on, far beyond what a person would have expected," Mr Smith said.
"Life was great, travelling on the Gem."
A local icon
Carol Hogg's late husband Captain Bill Hogg was also involved in the Gem's relocation, travelling alongside his father who was steering the Oscar W.
She said the Gem had become an important part of Swan Hill's identity and would "definitely" last well beyond another 60 years.
"I am not surprised it has stood the test of time," Ms Hogg said.
"It is very well loved and respected here.
"The Gem means everything to the community. It is a wonderful, iconic vessel."