What sort of stuff do you make?

Winter was a couple of days early in the Barossa when we made our way up to Moculta last Saturday. The sky was dark and the roads were running with rain. However, the Institute was already buzzing with people and music from the war years greeted us on entry. 

Walking in the rain at Gawler South

The rain had definitely set in when the group of hardy locals and visitors to Gawler met at the Gawler Railway Station on Friday. This area was first known as Basset Town.

History at the Movies

Were you at this funny, clever and wonderfully historic portrayal of Austalian identity? After watching these four Australian made films I could sense how I personally had grown as an Australian, despite a few cringe worthy moments.

Digging around Coober Pedy

Congratulations to Andrew and Tricia of Burnside Library for organising such a great program of events for SA History Week 2010. I was fortunate to hear Anne Johnson in the library on Thursday afternoon talking about the history of Coober Pedy and some of the characters that have lived and still live in the town. 

Gardyloo!

What a marvellous word is gardyloo. Apparently it comes from Scotland in the days when toilet waste and other slops were thrown from the upstairs windows into the streets. 

Dunluce House

An early 9.00am start for this tour of Dunluce House at Brighton. Sarah and Grant bought Dunluce House six years ago. They continue to work hard to retain the original splendour of this lovely baronial style home, at the same time enjoying it with their family and animals.

The beer may be gone from this pub, but the history remains

Enid gave a very informative talk in the National Archives (SA) rooms last Tuesday night showing just a small sample of the records available relating to the beer and wine industry in South Australia. I had no idea it was possible to trace particular breweries and wineries in so much detail and all in the one place.

Horse tracks and Sweet talk

Today was ideal for following the brilliant Horse Heritage Orientation Tour devised by Horse SA. A few years ago I would have loved to do this on horseback.

Penwortham in the rain

Visited John Horrocks Cottage at Penwortham in the Clare Valley today. Despite the rain preventing us taking the selfguided walking tour around the area, the welcome at the cottage was warmed by the log fire, and coffee and cake supplied by members of the Mount Horrocks Historical Society.

Just a corner of Thebarton

Every day hundreds/thousands of cars pass by the corner of South Road and Henley Beach Road. I wonder how many of the occupants have any idea of the history in the block on the north west corner.