1. Historical Societies

    While statewide historical societies formed in New South Wales in 1901, Victoria in 1909, Queensland in 1913 and Western Australia in 1926, South Australians lagged in founding societies to commemorate their own history.

    This did not mean that all ignored their past. Several founders of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, South Australian Branch (1885), hoped that the society would devote much attention to the recording of history, and through their efforts the society fulfilled some functions of a state historical society.

    Historical Subject | By Kerrie Round | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  2. Image: shelves full of documents with person sitting on floor

    History and Historians

    Historians of South Australia have asked one question above all others: how is South Australia different?

    Historical Subject | By Robert Dare | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  3. Image: Black and white photo of horseracing in progress, crowd behind a fence

    Horseracing

    Reputed to be Australia’s third-largest industry, horseracing contributes to the national economy and state government revenues through direct employment and also through primary production, transport, tourism, media, entertainment and gambling.

    Historical Subject | By John Mannion | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  4. Blue background with yellow green and blue blow and dashed lines spiraling across the blue.

    Irish in South Australia

    Irish immigrants have settled throughout the state of South Australia

    Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  5. Image: seated man in relaxed pose

    Fisher, Sir James

    Fisher became the first Mayor of Adelaide in 1840 and the first resident South Australian to be knighted in 1860

    Historical Person | By Allison Russell, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

  6. Image: A full-length photographic portrait of an elderly, bearded man sitting in a chair. The man is wearing a suit and holding a cane in his hands

    Martin, Mr. James

    A man of many parts, Martin was an inventor, politician, philanthropist, engineer and ‘The Father of Gawler’.

    Historical Person | By Derek Whitelock | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  7. Blue background with yellow green and blue blow and dashed lines spiraling across the blue.

    Jewish in South Australia

    Jews are descendants of a nomadic people who lived in the Middle East in ancient times, or adherents of the Jewish religion.

    Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | early twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  8. Image: Two large interconnected synagogue buildings, a man stands in the bare yard at the front of the building.

    Jewish People

    Small in number over time, Adelaide’s Jews have contributed significantly to the professions, especially medicine, and are well represented in academia, industry and commerce. 

    Historical Subject | By Bruce Rosen | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  9. Wendt, Joachim

    Joachim Wendt was a Danish-born silversmith whose work included extravagant naturalism, Edwardian style, and restrained Regency taste.

    Historical Person | By Richard Phillips | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  10. Image: Painting of the back of a man sitting on a chair at his desk. The man is balding. The painting is black and white.

    Menge, Johannes

    Johannes Menge, born in Steinau, Germany, was South Australia's first geologist.

    Historical Person | By Bernie O'Neil | 1790s, early nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  11. Image: men and horse drawn carts in front of a huge pile of wheat sacks

    Dunn, Mr. John

    The father of Mount Barker, John Dunn lived a long and successful life as a miller, merchant and philanthropist in South Australia.

    Historical Person | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  12. Image: Illustration of a bearded man leaning on a rifle and armed with two pistols attached to his belt, c.1855

    Stuart, John McDouall

    Explorer and surveyor John McDouall Stuart was celebrated as a hero for leading the first European expedition to cross Australia from south to north.

    Historical Person | By Peter Bowyer | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s

  13. Image: Black and white photograph of two men in suits. They are standing around a just unwrapped painting of a ship

    Tregenza, John

    John Tregenza's work has helped the South Australian public appreciate just how interesting and important their own history can be.

    Historical Person | By Wilfrid Prest | late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century

  14. Image: Head shot of elderly man with beard and white hair.

    Morphett, Sir John

    John Morphett, namesake of the Adelaide suburb Morphettville, contributed widely to the cultural and economic support of early south Australia.

    Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1830s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

  15. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of an elderly man dressed in late-nineteenth century attire and sporting a long white beard

    Bagshaw, John

    ‘If worth doing, do it well’ was the motto of John Bagshaw, pioneering designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

    Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

  16. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged woman in Victorian attire

    Farr, Mrs. Julia

    The plight of the girls in the Destitute Asylum spurred on social worker Julia Farr.

    Historical Person | By Joan Clift | North Terrace, Parklands | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  17. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian man in a Victorian-era Catholic clergyman’s outfit. The man has long, dark wavy hair pulled back behind his head

    Woods, Julian

    Julian Woods was the co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a creative priest, educationist and scientist. 

    Historical Person | By Sister Margaret Press | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

  18. Kaurna language team 2013

    Kaurna language (Kaurna warra)

    Kaurna, the original language of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains, is once again being heard.

    Historical Subject | By Rob Amery | Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century

  19. Ivarityi

    Kaurna People

    The original people of the Adelaide Plains are still here - and once again speaking the Kaurna language.

    Historical Subject | By Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien & Mandy Paul | Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  20. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian man wearing a late-Victorian era suit (without tie). He is sporting a large, luxurious handlebar moustache

    Wells, Lawrence

    Explorer and surveyor Lawrence Wells survived gruelling expeditions but died after being struck by a railcar.

    Historical Person | By Rod Cramer | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

  21. Image: Seven bewigged and robed supreme court judges, seated and posing for photograph, 1915

    Legal Profession

    The evolving profession in South Australia retained some centuries-old practices.

    Historical Subject | By Peter Moore | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1980s

  22. Image: Old document in browning ink with large wax seal attached at bottom

    Letters Patent

    South Australia's founding document is once again the source of intense political and legal debate.

    Historical Subject | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  23. Logic (Pinba)

    Logic (Pinba), a convicted murderer, was described in the Advertiser of 12 December 1885 as ‘one of the most popular men in the colony’. 

    Historical Person | By Robert Foster | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  24. Image: A photographic portrait of a moustachioed middle-aged Caucasian man wearing wire-rimmed spectacles and a mid-20th century suit and tie

    Scammell, Mr. Luther

    Manufacturing chemist Luther Scammell prepared compounds, saved a struggling business, and coined the name ‘Solyptol’. 

    Historical Person | By Peter Donovan | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

  25. Image: black and white photo of man in suit wearing white turban

    Allum, Mahomet

    Mahomet Allum was described in glowing testimonials as 'the wonder man' and by his adversaries as a 'quack'. 

    Historical Person | By Vedrana Budimir & Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

  26. Image: wedding party

    Marriage and divorce

    Marriage and divorce rates have fluctuated according to social mores and legislative imposts. 

    Historical Subject | By Margaret Allen | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  27. Image: A portrait of a young woman wearing a nun’s habit. She is holding a bible and a crucifix

    MacKillop, Mary

    An educationist and co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary MacKillop is now famous as Australia’s only Catholic saint.

    Historical Person | By Sister Marie Foale | Central Market, North Terrace | 1900-1910, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  28. Image: bearded man seated with book

    Moorhouse, Dr. Matthew

    Matthew Moorhouse, a medical practitioner, arrived in South Australia from Staffordshire, England, in June 1839 to take up appointment as the colony’s first permanent protector of Aboriginals. 

    Historical Person | By Robert Foster | early nineteenth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  29. Image: Methodist Church, Pirie Street

    Methodist Church

    Several of the brands of Methodism introduced to colonial South Australia merged in 1977 to become the Uniting Church.

    Historical Organisation | By Arnold D Hunt | Hindley Street | 1830s, 1840s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  30. Image: woman in nursing uniform working

    Nursing

    On-the-job experience was the only training for the earliest nurses, but the profession is now part of the higher education sector

    Historical Subject | By Joan Durdin | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

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