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Ordinary objects can tell extraordinary stories.

The Invisible Farmer collection is a dynamic grouping of objects and images that highlight the diverse histories of women in agriculture in South Australia.  The collection consists of both historical and more contemporary objects and images that are held in community collections, museums and history groups, or by individuals and families.  An ‘Invisible Farmer Object’ may be anything that tells a womens farming story, from any period of time and from any part of the state.  The collection is growing as more communities and individuals become involved.  

This collection was created to compliment the larger study undertaken Australia wide researching women on the land. Link below to the Invisible Farmer website. 

Items

  • First crop on the Shilton farm

    First crop on the Shilton farm

    Isla Shilton with husband Jack and their first two children pictured with their first crop on their farm Tanah Tenggal.

  • Isla Shilton’s OAM insignia

    Isla Shilton’s OAM insignia

    Isla Shilton’s OAM insignia set

    History

    Isla Milne Shilton OAM (nee Grant) was born in Adelaide in 1922 and went to live from a few weeks of age with her parents on their farm at Sandalwood in the Mallee region of South Australia.  From an early age Isla was involved in the work of the farm and in 1942 she married a farmer from the same region, John (Jack) Shilton.  Isla and Jack leased a property near Sandalwood for three years before purchasing it in 1949.  They farmed at Sandalwood until the mid-1970s.

  • Bottle Jack

    Bottle Jack

    Bottle jack in regular use at Mercunda farm.

    History

    This bottle jack has been used for many years by Stephanie Evans on her Mercunda farm.  Steph began farming in the Mallee region of South Australia in the mid 1980s and over the years she has accumulated some key farming tools that she uses regularly.

    Significance

    This bottle jack is an everyday item esential to Steph’s work on her farm.  About the jack Steph says:

  • Farm diaries

    Farm diaries

    Farm journals written by Stephanie Evans.

  • Wool classing stencil

    Wool classing stencil

    This is the wool classing stencil for Stephanie Evans at Mercunda.

    Description

    The stencil recognises Steph as a Registered Owner Woolclasser (OC), enbling her to class wool on her own farm. 

    History

    Since moving to the Mallee region of South Australia in the 1980s Steph has been heavily involved in farming activities including stone rolling, harrowing, ploughing, fencing, shearing and seeding.  As an Owner Woolclasser (OC) Steph was able to commence classing in the wool shed at Mercunda, the first woman to do so.

  • Miss Tilbrook’s WAB Certificate

    Miss Tilbrook’s WAB Certificate

    This certificate was given to Miss Tilbrook in 1963 by the Clare branch of the Women’s Agricultural Bureau (WAB) of South Australia.

  • WAB, ACWW and FWIC badges

    WAB, ACWW and FWIC badges

    This group of badges is a memento of Isla Shilton’s extensive involvement in the Women’s Agricultural Bureau and with the Associated Country Women of the World.

  • Isla Shilton driving the tractor

    Isla Shilton driving the tractor

    Isla Shilton driving the farm tractor.

    History

    Isla Milne Shilton OAM (nee Grant) was born in Adelaide in 1922 and went to live from a few weeks of age with her parents on their farm at Sandalwood in the mallee region of South Australia.  From an early age Isla was involved in the work and life of the farm and in 1942 she married a farmer from the same region, John (Jack) Shilton.  Isla and Jack leased a property near Sandalwood for three years before purchasing it in 1949. They farmed at Sandalwood until the mid 1970s.

  • Kerosene Lantern

    Kerosene Lantern

    This kerosene lantern gave the only light on Steph’s farm.

  • Cream can

    Cream can

    Cream can given as wedding present in the 1960s.

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Adrienne Lovelock
Adrienne Lovelock
5 years ago

I would love to write some songs based on this collection.

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Catherine Manning
Catherine Manning
5 years ago
Reply to  Adrienne Lovelock

That sounds like an intriguing project Adrienne, perhaps you could do something for the History Festival?

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Lesley Finlayson
Lesley Finlayson
5 years ago

My mother is now deceased but I have oral history tales and photos of my mother , who post discharge from the WAAF , and married worked on the marital small farm in the Adelaide Hills.

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Catherine Manning
Catherine Manning
5 years ago
Reply to  Lesley Finlayson

That sounds like a wonderful record Lesley,
We’d love to hear more.

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