George Ritchie (politician)

One of his feats was to captain the Gundagai, a river boat of 129 feet length, to New Zealand with gold to finance the Maori war.

[3] Ritchie was born at Goolwa in 1864, was educated at the Echuca Grammar School, and after four years' apprenticeship with a draper, joined his father on the river.

He was defeated, and in 1924 re-entered State Parliament as a member for the Northern District in the Legislative Council, serving from 1924 to 1944.

On the few occasions he acted as Premier, Ritchie handled the responsibility with thoroughness and care, tempered with a kindly manner, and at times whimsical humour.

In 1922 he purchased the historic paddle steamer Cadell, which had lain derelict on a Port Pirie beach for five years.