1980s

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

Lebanese in South Australia

Lebanese immigrants began arriving in Australia in the late nineteenth century. They emigrated from what was then the province of Syria in the Ottoman Empire for a variety of reasons.

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

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

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

Image: Crowd watching unveiling of monument

Light Square/ Wauwi

Originally intended as a recreational garden oasis from the surrounding city, Light Square, however, developed a reputation for prostitution, drinking and violence.

Historical Place | By Owen Hems | Northwest corner | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

Lithuanian House

Lithuanian house is a meeting place and cultural centre established by the Lithuanian community in Adelaide.

Historical Place | By Daina Pocius, Lithuanians in South Australia | 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

Image: Upper body portrait photograph of a man wearing a suit

McEwin, Mr. Alexander

Lyell Alexander McEwin (1897–1988) received a frugal Mid North upbringing which taught him the motto, ‘waste not, want not’, that characterised his 40 years in the Legislative Council, 1934–75.

Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Magarey Medal

An award for the ‘fairest and most brilliant player’ in South Australia’s major Australian Rules football competition

Historical Thing | By Bernard Whimpress | 1890s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

The first South Australian magazine to focus on local content was the South Australian Magazine, first published in 1841. Other magazines published during the nineteenth century include: Illustrated Adelaide Post, Pictorial Australian, Observer Miscellany, Adelaide Punch, Lantern, and Quiz.South Australian magazines published in the twentieth century include: Pheonix, Chapbook, and Angry Penguins. ‘Street press’, free newsprint magazines, began appearing in the last decades of the twentieth century with such titles as dB and Rip It Up .

Historical Subject | By Anthony Laube | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century

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

Maralinga

The main site for joint Australian–British nuclear weapons tests in Australia lies 800 kilometres north-west of Adelaide on the southern edge of the Great Victoria Desert.

Historical Place | By Peter Morton | early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Jackson Nelson, Ms. Marjorie

A phenomenally successful athlete, Marjorie Jackson Nelson went on to become a governor of South Australia

Historical Person | By Prof John Daly | North Terrace | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

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

Image: bench top covered in large number of bottles of alcohol

Mars Bar

Adelaide’s longest running gay venue, located at 120 Gouger Street and known, until recently, as the Mars Bar, first opened in December 1976.

Historical Place | By Nikki Sullivan, Migration Museum | Southwest corner | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, mid twentieth century

Warnes, Mrs. Mary

Deeply affected by the isolation and loneliness of her early married life, Mary Jane Warnes strived to improve conditions for her fellow countrywomen by founding the South Australian Country Women’s Association.

Historical Person | By Nancy Robinson Flannery | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

Mills, Ms. May

Educationist and sports administrator May Mills believed 'the wholesome development of a nation' depended on sport.

Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Image: Two large sailing ships are anchored in a river. A smaller sailing vessel is berthed at a small wharf, adjacent to which is a two-storey building

McLaren Wharf

Built between 1839 and 1840, McLaren Wharf was the first element of maritime infrastructure established at Port Adelaide.

Historical Place | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

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

Image: Outback landscape and road with sign, stating 'Dry weather road only'

Mid North

As the Mid North has developed and prospered in accordance with the opportunities and restraints of transport and technology, so too it has declined.

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

Image: group of men in front of tin huts

Migrant Hostels and Work Camps

Tens of thousands of people went through work camps and migrant hostels in South Australia.

Historical Subject | By Dr Karen Agutter, the University of Adelaide, & Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Migration Museum

Opened in 1986 the Migration Museum in Adelaide was a world first.

Historical Place | By Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

Image: clothesline in front of small, corregated iron buildings.

Milpara Migrant Hostel

Milpara provided a place to stay while migrants waited for their new homes to be ready.

Historical Place | By Dr Karen Agutter, the University of Adelaide, & Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

Image: two men operating large machinery inf fron of pile of boulders

Mines and mining

South Australia's rich mineral wealth is reflected in the state's long mining history

Historical Subject | By Bernie O'Neil | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1940s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

McLeod, Mr. Murdoch

A very industrious and conservative businessman, Murdoch McLeod was generous but modest and never flamboyant.

Historical Person | By Knoyle Cross | Central Market | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

National Council of Women of South Australia

The National Council of Women of South Australia argued for pensions for widows with children, raising the marriage age for girls from 12 and other reforms.

Historical Organisation | By Pat Stretton | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

National Parks

South Australia's national parks preserve the state's unique flora, fauna, cultural sites and scenic beauty, providing enjoyment to many.

Historical Subject | By Dene Cordes | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

National Trust of South Australia

With 50 branches, 138 properties and 4500 members, the National Trust of South Australia is the largest historical organisation in the state.

Historical Organisation | By Kerrie Round | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

Image: A large group of Caucasian men and women in early Edwardian attire pose for a photograph in front of a large stone building. They are flanked by an Australian flag and British Union Jack

Tindale, Dr. Norman

Norman Tindale was a prodigious anthropologist and polymath who chronicled aboriginal culture, studied butterflies and moths, and broke Japanese wartime codes.

Historical Person | By Philip Jones | North Terrace | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s