Kelvin and Palz: guardians of the Yarra Riverkeeper’s Puggle

At Docklands’ Yarra’s Edge Marina, a small solar-powered boat named Puggle plays an important role in protecting one of the city’s most vital waterways - thanks to the work of volunteers Kelvin Gedye and Palz Vaughan.

Since late last year, Kelvin and Palz have been caretakers of Puggle, which belongs to the Yarra Riverkeeper Association (YRKA).

“I went along to the (YRKA] annual general meeting just to check them out,” Kelvin said.

“At the end of the meeting, I mentioned I had a marine licence – and [operations manager] Karina Watson’s eyes lit up. They had a boat but no one to look after it.”

Since then, the couple has maintained and operated Puggle, carrying passengers including artists, postgraduate science students, and river enthusiasts, giving them a new perspective on the Yarra.

“The main purpose of the organisation is to be an advocate for the river,” Palz said.

Kelvin and Palz are no strangers to life on the water. They’ve chartered sailboats across Australia and overseas, building a wealth of boating experience along the way.

In Docklands, they hand-built a 10-foot wooden sailing dinghy – fitted with an electric motor and shaded canopy – that went on to win three awards for its craftsmanship and innovative design.

In caring for Puggle, they’ve uncovered hidden corners of the river that most city-dwellers miss.

From spotting foxes near Hawthorn to watching swans nest on floating wetlands, they’ve had front-row seats to the river’s secret life.

“There are parts where you feel like you’re nowhere near a city, and you’re only 20 minutes away,” Palz said.

When they head out – usually weekly or fortnightly – they also collect floating rubbish.

“Polystyrene is a big problem. It lasts forever and it attracts a lot of growth,” Kelvin told Docklands News.

Microplastics are another major concern, as they enter the food chain and harm aquatic life.

The YRKA’s mission is to advocate for the river’s health, raise awareness of the threats it faces, and promote better management practices.

With around 70 per cent of Melbourne’s drinking water sourced from the Yarra’s upper reaches, the river’s wellbeing has far-reaching consequences.

Despite the challenges, Kelvin and Palz always enjoy their time on the water.

“You learn something every time you go out. It’s always changing,” Kelvin said.

Their favourite spots include the serene stretches around Yarra Bend Park and the bustling industrial edges near the Port of Melbourne – a reminder of the river’s many faces, and the importance of keeping it alive and thriving. . •