It is a remarkable festival embracing our heritage, presenting wonderful collections, places and stories through an amazing range of history-related activities.
About Time 2013 has evolved significantly since its humble beginning in 2004 as SA History Week, all due to incredible hard work and enthusiasm of the event organisers, including thousands of volunteers, who are passionate about sharing our history.
The event will be held from May 1-31, and should not be confused with this year’s National Heritage Week, which was held from April 13-21.
The state-wide festival will also present SA’s first Open House Adelaide, joining major cities around the world to throw open the doors and provide public access to buildings and spaces in the City of Adelaide over a weekend.
Overall, About Time 2013 will present 522 events exploring different aspects of the past in every region of the state.
Here is a collection of events on the Fleurieu. Many of them are free, and in most cases bookings are essential. Visit http://abouttime.sa.gov.au/events for more information.
Thursday, May 2
Fashions of yesteryear
A peek into the past… presented by Goolwa Library Local & Family History Room. Exhibition of original documents and photos relating to Goolwa. Peter Newcome, who has had a lifetime interest in boats and boat building, will give a talk at 2 pm. Community Chamber, Alexandrina Council, 11 Cadell Street, Goolwa, Thurs, May 2, 12.30pm-4pm.
Friday, May 3
Hysterically historical quiz night
Presented by Southern Theatre and Arts Supporters. Emphasis on local and South Australian music and theatre. Presentations designed to increase participants’ knowledge. Waverley Homestead, St Peters Terrace, Willunga, Waverley Homestead, St Peters Terrace, Willunga, Sat, May 3, 7.30pm.
Saturday, May 4
Don Loffler – the Holden man
Presented by Alexandrina Libraries. Holden historian and author Don Loffler tells stories of Australia’s much-loved car. This is a must not just for Holden buffs, with nostalgia bound to touch anyone with a Holden in their history. Bookings required. Goolwa Library, Community Chambers Room, 11 Cadell Street, Goolwa, Sat, 11am.
Sunday, May 5
American River history walk
Presented by American River Progress Association. A local historian introduces you to the history of American River on the north-east coast of Kangaroo Island. Starting from the once thriving port, you will learn about the social history of the town, walking past the site of the original homestead and looking at how people lived and how the town developed. History trail sign at the wharf, Tangara Drive, American River, 10am-noon.
Sunday, May 5
Open house at the former Penneshaw Hospital
Presented by Penneshaw Branch, National Trust of South Australia. First opportunity to view this heritage-listed and recently renovated property. The building has served the Penneshaw and Dudley district in numerous roles, including as a council office, district hall, and a nursing home with doctors consulting rooms. Now a private residence, the current owners will present a historic profile of the title spanning the last 130 years. ‘The old hospital’, 5153 Hog Bay Road, Penneshaw, 1-3pm.
Sunday, May 5
Penneshaw Museum open day
Presented by Penneshaw Branch, National Trust of South Australia. Visit the Penneshaw Museum open day and learn about Penneshaw’s history. Housed in the former Hog Bay School building, the museum features displays on Kangaroo Island’s maritime activity, education and early settlers. Penneshaw Museum, 52 Howard Drive, Penneshaw, 3pm-5pm.
Sunday, May 5
State heritage listed Australasian Hotel tour
Presented by Australasian (circa 1858). Come to the Australasian in Goolwa, on the corner of Hutchinson Street, for a fun and informative history tour of the state heritage-listed former hotel. Hear the stories and do a walking tour showcasing the stunning lobby, dining room and the expansive lower deck. 1 Porter Street, Goolwa, 2-2.45pm.
Monday, May 6
Telling our Stories preview screening
Presented by History SA, Country Arts SA, Alexandrina Council. Screening of five short films telling stories from the Alexandrina Council region. A panel discussion featuring local identities, filmmaker Malcolm McKinnon and project historians June Edwards and Madeleine Regan will follow the screening.
Woodchester Hall, Callington Road, Woodchester, 7pm.
Wednesday, May 8
Me ’n Me Mate
Presented by Alexandrina Libraries. A brand new show that’s more fun than you can poke a stick at. Celebrating Australian language and humour in spoken word and song. A uniquely Australian view of the world and a hit at this year’s Fringe. Features works by Lawson, Lower and others. Goolwa Library, 11am; Strathalbyn Library, 2pm.
Thursday, May 9
An evening of Strathalbyn History
Presented by Friends of the Strathalbyn Library. Local historian Brian Simpson will talk on the history of sporting groups in Strathalbyn. Carol Tucker will present a fascinating history about the Sandergrove area near Strathalbyn. Strathalbyn Library, 1 Colman Terrace, Strathalbyn, 7.30pm.
Sunday, May 12
PS Oscar W cruises
Presented by Friends of the PS Oscar W. Cruise along the River Murray on the 104-year-old wood-fired paddlesteamer Oscar W and explore the Goolwa Riverboat Centre Exhibition. Goolwa Wharf, Cutting Road, Goolwa, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm.
Monday, May 13
Historic tour of Aldinga and Port Willunga
Presented by Aldinga Bay Residents Association. Join Kevin, a retired teacher, on a hosted bus tour of historic Aldinga, Whites Valley and Port Willunga. Visit historic sites and buildings and discover their significance. Place Cafe, Aldinga Central Shopping Centre, Pridham Boulevarde, Aldinga Beach, 9am-3.30pm.
May 16 & 18
Mundoo Island Station Tour
Presented by Mundoo Island & Coorong Tours. Enjoy a 90-minute mini-bus tour of the cattle station. Cross the barrages from Hindmarsh Island to Mundoo and Ewe Islands. Marvel at the Coorong vista and magnificent birdlife and enjoy the history of four generations of Grundy’s farming Mundoo Island. Meet at designated gate on Denver Road, Hindmarsh Island via Goolwa (details provided upon booking), 10.30am-noon.
May 19-24
Celebrating Strathalbyn’s Industrial Heritage
Stories of remarkable vision presented by Strathalbyn & District Heritage Centre. A celebration of industries ranging from mining to the manufacture of flour, ice and farm machinery. Strathalbyn and District Heritage Centre, 1 Rankine Street, Strathalbyn, 1.30-4pm & 6-8 pm. Opening Sun, May 19, 2.15pm.
Sunday, May 26
Remembering Milang’s heyday of river and lake trading
Presented by Milang & District Historical Society. In the town’s heyday 1860-1880 the township prospered and the jetty was always busy with paddlesteamers loading and unloading cargo. Eight to a dozen horse and bullock teams waited in front of Landseer’s dock to cart to Port Adelaide the wool brought to Milang by the paddlesteamers. Visit museum for nostalgic photographs. Milang Museum, Milang Oval, Milang, 11am-4pm.
Throughout May
School days, school days
Presented by Yankalilla & District Historical Society. An exhibition of schools of the Yankalilla district, including the original Yankalilla public school, established 1859, and the first Catholic country school opened by Saint Mary MacKillop’s Sisters of St Joseph. Also included are numerous class photographs from the featured schools. You are invited to add copies of your own photographs relating to schools of the area. Yankalilla Community Library, 207 Main Road, Yankalilla, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; Sat 10am-4pm.
Throughout May
Historic Cockle Train rides
Event presented by SteamRanger Heritage Railway. Take a ride on South Australia’s oldest operating broad gauge railway line. Travel with steam or diesel locomotives or by heritage Brill or Redhen Railcars. Wed & Sun in May. Departs Goolwa at 10am, 12.15pm and 2.45pm; departs Victor Harbor 11am, 1.30pm and 3.45pm. http://www.steamranger.org.au
Throughout May
The EL Fidge collections – photos of the mid-south coast
Presented by McLaren Arts. View a collection of rare photographs taken by Ernest Lewis Fidge of South Australia’s mid-south coast more than 100 years ago. The unique collection features images of Noarlunga, Port Noarlunga, Aldinga, Hindmarsh Tiers, Port Willunga, Port Elliot and McLaren Vale.
Seaford Central Shopping Centre, Commercial Road, Seaford, during centre hours.
Throughout May
Presented by Victor Harbor Branch, National Trust of South Australia. Collection of original clothing, linen and lace from 1800s, plus a photographic display depicting the changes in Victor Harbor homes. Each set of carefully selected ‘before and after’ photos is combined with details allowing the visitor to understand what has happened to our buildings. Encounter Coast Discovery Centre and Museum, 2 Flinders Parade, Victor Harbor 1-4pm. Special open days: Sun, May 5 & Sun, May 26 11am-4pm.
Throughout May
Who were they? Victor Harbor’s parks and reserves
Presented by Encounter Bay Family History Group. There are many parks, gardens and reserves commemorating notable people of Victor Harbor. A decision was made in 2011 by the Encounter Bay Family History Group to research these people. The project takes the form of a PowerPoint presentation in the history area of the Victor Harbor Library. Victor Harbor Public Library, Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri 9.30am-5pm; Wed 10am-6pm; Sat 9am-5 pm.