The Sharks grand final win launched a thousand celebrations across the shire but none have made a bigger splash than the historic Cronulla Ferry, Curranulla.
Gone are her familiar green and yellow colours and Curranulla is now proudly sporting a fresh coat of black, white and blue on the Cronulla to Bundeena run.
The Currunulla’s new look is the result of a promise Cronulla Ferries owner Carl Rogan made more than 20 years ago.
Former Curranulla deckhand Rob Gawthorne and former skipper Murray Halgren have always been Manly supporters.
In fact, Rob is now the ferry master on the Manly ferry Queenscliff.
“Cronulla was always the perpetual loser, so I said the day the Sharks win I’ll paint the Curranulla in their colours,” Carl Rogan said.
“I got the first message from them 10 minutes after the Sharks win asking me when I was going to start painting the ferry.
“So we went out the day after the long weekend and bought the paint.
“We had it knocked over in three days. Rob was in disbelief that I did it.”
It is the first time the ferry has had her colours changed since 1984.
The Curranulla was built in 1939 and is the oldest commuter ferry in Australia.
“The best thing is that so many people are getting enjoyment for her new look.”
Carl said that he will keep the colours until the Currunulla is due for her regular refit next year.
