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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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Australia's oldest in continuous operation, Studley Park Boathouse dates from 1863, when the Burn family opened its boat-hire business in the picnic ground at Riversdale. It was a popular attraction for almost 100 years. In the 1950s and 1960s, with growing motor car ownership, Melburnians looked further afield for recreation, and the boathouse fell on hard times. The buildings survived as a rooming house, retail outlet, boat workshop and fibreglass factory. The late 1970s brought new interest and revival, as Melbourne's inner-city ethnic populations enjoyed family days in Studley Park. The boathouse was restored in the 1990s.