A SKIPPER for all seasons, long-time French Islander Terry Easy is determined to keep the Corinella to French Island barge locally owned and operated.
“The original farming families all put in to save the barge,” said Terry. “It’s the lifeblood of French Island.”
Parks Victoria has called for Expressions of Interest to operate a year-round barge transport service to French Island using the Point Leschenault Jetty landing site.
Many of the farming families on French Island can be traced back to the Soldier Settlement Scheme introduced for servicemen returning from the First World War.
Terry Easy was raised on French Island.
“We had free range then,” said Terry.
“Rabbits were a part of growing up, we worked the farm and hunted rabbits. The old man said he paid for our house by selling rabbit skins. I used to take the fresh rabbits on the school run with me.”
Working on scallop boats in Tasmania, Terry gained his Master 5 Certificate and took ownership of the Spirit of French Island seven years ago.
Crossing between French Island and Corinella up to six times a day, the barge carries vital supplies for the farmers such as steel, hay, fertiliser, fuel and bottled gas.
“A lot of cattle have been taken off the Island because of the drought.”
Emergency service vehicles and fire trucks also use the barge along with Parks Victoria.
Using high tide to navigate the treacherous sand banks and occasional thick sea fog, the Spirit of French Island cruises at a leisurely six knots, covering the two-kilometre crossing in around 20 minutes.
Measuring 19 metres in length with a displacement of 26 tonnes, the Spirit of French Island can carry as much weight again fully laden.
“Visitors can come by foot or bring their 4WDs and cars,” said Terry.
“Come over in the morning (subject to the tide) and return in the afternoon. It’s surprising how many people visit French Island.”
Western Port Bay is very tidal, and a low tide early in the day can restrict operating hours, though weather is not usually a problem, according to Terry.
“We’ve never missed a crossing because of bad weather for six years.”
No stranger to early mornings, Terry said he needed to be at the Tankerton Jetty by 7.30am every morning as a student to catch the ferry to the High School at Hastings.
The ferry left Stony Point at 4.30pm, returning to the Island by 5pm.
“They were long days,” said Terry.
“Every now and then, the weather would get rough, and we’d have the day off school.
“Sometimes the fog was so thick you couldn’t see the bow of the ferry.”
Dolphins are a common sight on the crossing to French Island, and Sea Eagles nesting on The Point produce two or three fledglings every year.
French Island also has long-nosed potoroos, bandicoots, Australian water rats, koalas and Cape Barren geese, but no Kangaroos.
Kangaroos can’t swim, according to Terry.
French Island convert Janine Harrison said there is plenty to see and do on French Island, including the original chicory kilns, local wine tastings from the French Island Vineyards and a delicious all-day menu, freshly roasted coffee and good old-fashioned hospitality at the French Island General Store.
Employing four people, including a second skipper, Terry said the barge runs year-round.
“It’s a million-dollar investment in the local community.
“To keep it all running is a very extensive operation.”
After just seven years as the sole owner and operator of the business, Terry hopes commonsense will prevail.
“My family goes back to when the original five farmers got together and bought the barge, it’s the first open tender.”