To steal a few lyrics from Herman Hupfeld’s 1931 classic, As Time Goes By, you must remember this… South Australia’s History Festival 2016 throughout May. It represents a wonderful collection and presentation of more than 600 events made possible by nearly 350 organisations through thousands of volunteers across the state. Our Fleurieu Peninsula is very much a part of this 13th SA History Festival, and well done to the magnificent volunteers. Our local events are…
GOOLWA
A Short and Sweet history tour of The Australasian, Goolwa
Sunday, May 15, 1-1.30pm. Drop in to the state heritage-listed Australasian, Circa 1858, at 1 Porter St, Goolwa. Tour the lobby, lower deck and dining room. Hear about the remarkable first builder/publican and the many other interesting residents and tenants. We finish with current owner Juliet Michell’s links to Goolwa. Bookings required for groups only. Cost: donation.
Experience Goolwa’s Living History: Boats and Trains
Wednesdays May 18 & 25, 2-3pm presented by Alexandrina Libraries at Goolwa Library, 11 Cadell St, Goolwa. Walking tour of Goolwa’s historic wharf and railway precinct will bring to life the town’s vital role in SA’s early transportation history. Local historian Anthony Presgrave will explain how the River Murray shipping and the railways worked together to transport cargo from up river to the seaports. Bookings essential. 8555 7000 or glibrary@alexandrina.sa.gov.au. Free.
Celebrating 40 Years of Storm Boy: author & film revisited
Thursday, May 12, 1-4pm. Retrace the journey from Colin Thiele’s acclaimed book to the making of the film Storm Boy at Centenary Hall, 14 Cadell St, Goolwa. Includes displays of photos, charts and maps from Goolwa Library’s History Room, a short talk about the author presented by a former student and a special screening of the film at 2pm. Bookings essential; 8555 7000 or glibrary@alexandrina.sa.gov.au. Free. Presented by Alexandrina Libraries.
MUNDOO ISLAND
Historic Coorong Station Tour
Via Goolwa & Hindmarsh Island: Fri, May 6, Sat, May 14 & Sun, May 22, 10.30am at Locked farm gate, 350c Denver Rd, Hindmarsh Island. Enjoy a 1.5 hour mini-bus guided tour of our historic sheep/cattle station in the heart of the Coorong. Depart from Hindmarsh Island and cross barrages to privately-owned Mundoo and Ewe Islands, old car graveyard, intercolonial telegraph line, station museum, amazing bird life and the stunning Coorong vistas. Bookings essential: Sally Grundy 0418 843 299 or sally@mundooisland.com.au Cost: $40 p.p. Presented by Mundoo Island & Coorong Tours.
PORT ELLIOT
Port Elliot: Legendairy Capital of South Australia
Throughout May: Thu & Sun, 10am-3pm. Other times by appointment for groups of 10+ at Port Elliot Showgrounds, cnr Wright St & Water Ln. The history of the Fleurieu, farm machinery and household artefacts pre-1960. Opening of the Legendairy Capital Dairy exhibition on Thursday, May 5. Step aboard the historic Granite Island tractor train. See working exhibits of vintage farm machinery. Presented by Southern Fleurieu Historical Museum. Bookings required for groups only. Adults $5, children $2.
VICTOR HARBOR
Down Every Street
Every day in May, 1-4pm at Encounter Coast Discovery Centre & Museum, 1 Flinders Pde. Maps and photographic then-and-now display of local streets of interest highlighting their historic or community significance. Interactive display. Presented by Victor Harbor Branch, National Trust SA. Bookings required for groups only. Adult $6, concession $5, child $4, family $16, members free.
Encounter Bay District Obituaries Project: Stage 3
Throughout May, during library hours, Victor Harbor Public Library, 1 Bay Rd. Obituaries and reports of death for the wider Encounter Bay area, including those covered in projects 1, 2 & 3 are available in book form and on computers in the Victor Harbor Library. See a slide show presentation in the library history area. Presented by Encounter Bay Family History Group. Free.
Lace Across Time
Throughout May, Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat 9am-noon at Victor Harbor Public Library, 1 Bay Rd. Lace-making has a long history and includes many different techniques including bobbin lace, needle-lace, tatting, crochet, and knitting. Exhibition showcases lace, both old and new, made by a variety of techniques, along with the tools used to make it. Free. Presented by Encounter Lacemakers.
LANGHORNE CREEK
Mother’s Day High Tea at the Old School
Sunday, May 8, 2-4pm at The Old School, Bridge Rd, Langhorne Creek. An afternoon of tea, scones and memories at the recently restored Langhorne Creek School which operated 1876-1950s. If you or your family have a connection to the school or district, please bring along any photographs, records or other memorabilia. Bookings required for groups only. Cost: donation.
Unlocking the Archives
Saturdays May 7 & 28; Sundays May 8 & 29, 11am-4pm at Bleasdale Winery, 1640 Langhorne Creek Rd, Langhorne Creek. Collected over 100+ years, the family and winery archives at Bleasdale represent the development of the thriving wine industry in Langhorne Creek. For five generations members of the Potts family have lived here and family members will tell the stories of the letters, diaries, tools and photos in the archives. Presented by Potts Family Collection Trust. Bookings required for groups only. Cost: donation.
MILANG
Tribute to our past fire fighting vehicles
Sunday, May 29, 11am-4pm at Milang Museum, Milang Oval complex. View and learn about some of our early fire appliances that served in the country and city areas of South Australia. Presented by Milang & District Historical Society. Bookings required for groups only. Cost: donation.
Railway Chaos
Sunday May 15 & 29, 11am, 1pm & 3pm at Milang Railway Museum, Daranda Tce. A multimedia one-hour presentation describing what went wrong with SA’s railways. Museum open, Devonshire teas, craft shop. Presented by Port Milang Historic Railway Museum. Bookings required for groups. Cost: donation.