Prior to Yarrawonga Weir forming Lake Mulwala in 1939, the King and Jones Sawmill was located about 100 metres south of Lake Edge Resort, being near a lagoon.
This gave easy access to P.S. Pilot and barge towing red gum logs to the mill.
Many nearby trees had been cut to create a clear area of the lake. Many redgums were sawn into railway sleepers and fencing droppers.
In 1929 P.S. Pilot was damaged beyond repair.
So, George King purchased P.S. Australien and barge Federal in 1934, both vessels spending the rest of their work above the Weir.
Before the lake filled, the sawmill was moved to an area, now the site of Lake Edge Resort.
In 1992, the Mulwala Progress Association brought a huge log to Old Mill Park, to commemorate Mulwala’s first major industry, the sawmill.
This log was felled by Angus “Joker” Nicholson in the Mulwala State Forest.
By the late 1970s, good quality trees were difficult to source.
After a massive windstorm blew sawdust into the lake, the EPA eventually closed the sawmill.
The Pioneer Museum houses some material from early paddle steamers.