A vessel named after Olympic legend and Noosa resident Dawn Fraser has made its final journey.
The MV Dawn Fraser has been a stalwart on Sydney Harbour since entering service in 1992, travelling 544,676 nautical miles between Parramatta and Circular Quay.
The vessel made its final journey on March 10 with its 88-year-old namesake aboard.
Fraser won four Olympic gold medals across three Olympics from 1956 to 1964.
She moved to Noosa around 2008 to be closer to her daughter and grandson. She had previously holidayed in the region for decades before that.
Fraser was aboard for the final voyage, surrounded by her family, friends and the crew who have cared for the vessel for more than three decades.
“It’s been a daily reminder to travellers of the power of sport, the Olympic spirit and what’s possible if you aren’t afraid to push yourself to your absolute limits,” she said.
“Three decades of passengers have looked up, seen my name and perhaps thought of something patriotic, inspiring or even a little cheeky. I’m pretty chuffed.”
Built in 1992 by NQEA in Cairns, the MV Dawn Fraser most notably served on the F3 Parramatta River route.
Over its lifetime, it travelled the equivalent of circling the globe more than 25 times, averaging six services per day, 178 per month and more than 2000 per year.
“Nearly 70,000 trips and more than half a million nautical miles is an extraordinary achievement for any vessel,” Transport for NSW coordinator general Howard Collins said.
“As she prepares to leave Sydney Harbour, we acknowledge the crews past and present who have kept this ferry operating safely and efficiently every single day.”
Related story: Swim star’s ‘heartfelt concern’ for legend of sport
Fraser is widely regarded as one of the greatest swimmers of all time and was the first athlete, female or male, to win gold in the same event at three consecutive Olympics.
She was named Australian Female Athlete of the Century by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, who also inducted her as their first female member in 1985.
