The Jumna has been restored and placed in a weatherproof cage, complete with a specially painted backdrop of the Vasse River.

The Jumna was a miniature paddle steamer built by Canon Robert Davies in 1939, which was able to carry up to three people and chugged along the Vasse River in Busselton.

The idea for the Jumna was first conceived by the Canon in the mid 1930s and it made its first journey in early 1940 and its last on April 20, 1963.

Sid Breeden, who was one of the most frequent passengers on the Jumna, told onlookers about the history of the boat as he eagerly anticipated its unveiling.

“My wife Carol and I were chosen by Canon Davies to make what turned out to be Jumna’s final journey,” Sid said.

“I know of nine other vessels named Jumna, but this is the only model paddle steamer. Canon Davies based it on the famous 81.5 foot (24.8m) independent-drive steam paddle tug Jumna, which operated from 1884 to 1923 out of Littlehampton harbour in Sussex, England.”

The Jumna had a logbook of all of its passengers and the length of their journey and Sid showed everyone the original.

He said he was delighted by the job done restoring it and hoped the Jumna would “live on forever as a tribute to a truly remarkable man – Robert Ernest Davies”.

Busselton Historical Society president, Alan Horridge, said they were delighted to be able to restore the Jumna, which had been in the museum’s care since 1965.

“Prior to this it was just gathering dust outside,” he said.

“In total it took around two years to complete the restoration, which was all done by volunteers. There was a fantastic turnout for the unveiling and we hope the public will enjoy the display.

“On behalf of the historical society I would like to thank everyone who made this possible, including Busselton artist Rhonda Bartlett, who painted the mural of the Vasse River for the exhibit.”

The exhibit is interactive and accompanied by a CD of all the entries in the logbook and a film called ‘All Aboard’, which was made by Sid’s father (the late Arthur Breeden) in 1963 and converted to DVD by Sid.

The Jumna’s exhibit is now open for the public to see at the museum, at the Old Butter Factory, Peel Terrace, Busselton.