1. Image: A well-dressed man with a moustache poses for a photograph. His right arm rests on a table

    Police

    Arising by accident rather than design, South Australia’s Police Force has maintained a high reputation

    Historical Organisation | By Robert Clyne | 1830s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  2. Image: Black and white photograph of an Aboriginal man

    Booboorowie, Mr. Poltpalingada

    From the 1880s Tommy Walker, or Poltpalingada Booboorowie, was a leading figure among the community of Aboriginal people who lived on the fringes of white Adelaide society.

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

  3. Image: group of people standing together on steps

    Population

    South Australia’s demography is in many ways the most distinctive of all Australia’s states, but the wealth of historical population data available for both the colony and state remains under-analysed.

    Historical Subject | By Graeme Hugo | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  4. Image: A two-storey octagonal stone tower set within a high wall with a crenellated parapet.

    Prisons

    Although South Australia was proclaimed a free settlement, colonial officials soon found they needed a gaol to house lawbreakers. 

    Historical Subject | By Patricia Sumerling | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  5. Image: two smiling caucasian women writing at a main desk in library

    Public Libraries

    South Australia was unique among the Australian colonies in that the South Australian Literary and Scientific Association assembled a subscription library before the settlers left Britain.

    Historical Place | By Carl Bridge and Michael Talbot | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  6. Image: men standing in front of building

    Pubs

    JM Freeland characterises Australian pubs as among ‘the most socially significant, historically valuable, architecturally interesting and colourful features of Australian society’ (Freeland 1977, p. 1). South Australia’s pubs are no exception. 

    Historical Subject | By Patricia Sumerling | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  7. Image: two bumper stickers

    Refugees

    In general refugees have enriched and diversified South Australia’s religions, universities and schools, food, the arts, newspapers, clubs and sports.

    Historical Subject | By Kate Walsh | 1830s, 1840s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  8. Regions/Regionalism

    Regions/Regionalism, meaning extensive and distinctive areas and human attachments to them, these are words to conjure with in the South Australian experience.

    Historical Subject | By Helen Bartley and Jill Roe | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  9. Image: crowds of people, dressed fairly formally, in front of shop awnings

    Retail Trade

    In the early years of European settlement the distinction between retail trade, wholesale trade and importing in South Australia was unclear, with many businesses combining all three functions.

    Historical Subject | By Martin P Shanahan | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  10. Image: Black and white photographic portrait of a man with small round glasses and a large beard

    Hanson, Sir Richard

    Sir Richard Davies Hanson was a lawyer, politician, theologian and author who helped write in significant aspects of South Australia's Constitution

    Historical Person | By Carol Fort | mid nineteenth century

  11. Image: paddle steamer with a number of people standing on top

    River Murray

    The River Murray has been central to South Australia’s existence. Named in 1830 by Charles Sturt after Sir George Murray, British secretary of state for the colonies, the river runs 2576 kilometres from its watershed in the Australian Alps to the sea near Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula, 650 kilometres of the river’s flow being within South Australia.

    Historical Subject | By Rob Linn | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  12. Image: Black and white photo of a drag box being used to spread hotmix (bituminous concrete), this method was a cheap way to provide a smooth surface, 10 November 1937.

    Roads

    This is the story of how an efficient road system was created in South Australia

    Historical Subject | By Bill Stacy | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  13. Image: An elderly man with a cane sits in a chair within a garden

    Smith, Robert

    Robert Barr Smith had a genius for business. He was also a generous philanthropist, though his modesty dictated that much of the funding was dispensed anonymously.

    Historical Person | By Pamela Oborn | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  14. Image: man holding large axe standing on wooden plank embedded in large wooden post

    Royal Adelaide Show

    The Royal Adelaide Show has become the annual meeting place for country and city. 

    Historical Event | By Rob Linn | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  15. Image: black and white photo of street lined with three and four storey buildings

    Rundle Street

    Rundle Street has been a centre of shops and arcades, theatre and cafes, as well as acrimonious debate

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Mall, Rundle Street east | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  16. Image: a brick convent building behind a stone wall.

    Saint Mary's Dominican Convent and School

    Saint Mary's Convent and School is one of several historically significant Catholic church buildings and religious community residences based on Franklin Street and West Terrace. 

    Historical Place | By Vedrana Budimir, History Trust of South Australia | Southwest corner | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  17. Image: crowd of people in front of church

    Saint Patrick's Church

    Saint Patrick's Church on Grote Street is one of several historically significant Catholic church buildings in the southwest corner of the Adelaide CBD. The original building was the first Catholic church in Adelaide. 

    Historical Place | By Vedrana Budimir, History Trust of South Australia | Southwest corner | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  18. Young, Sarah

    Sarah Jane (Jeanna) Young (née Foster) (1866–1955), inspired by Catherine Helen Spence, became secretary of the Effective Voting League (1897), wrote and lectured on proportional representation and, with Spence, campaigned for eight weeks in Sydney to have the Hare-Spence voting system adopted in Federal elections. She would later run for parliament and receive an OBE.

    Historical Person | By Dirk van Dissel | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  19. Image: Schools' Patriotic Fund booklet cover

    Schools' Patriotic Fund

    The Children's Patriotic Fund and Schools' Patriotic Fund were repsonsible for aiding the war effort on the homefront during the First and Second World War, respectively. They achieved this by mobilising school children across South Australia to contribute in any way they could towards the war effort. 

    Historical Organisation | By Jack Evans, History Trust of South Australia | 1910s, 1940s, First World War, Second World War

  20. Image: Four men and a woman in university graduation attire sit on chairs and pose for a photograph

    Science

    Before and after the arrival of Europeans, Aboriginal peoples had a well-developed cultural understanding and practical knowledge of plants, animal behaviour, local geology and meteorological conditions. Information they provided was frequently vital to the success – and even survival – of early European navigators and explorers.

    Historical Subject | By Pauline Payne | 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

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

    Serbians in South Australia

    Serbians migrated to South Australia from the 1940s - 1990s to escape various forms of prosecution and have since established a wide community. 

    Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1990s, early twentieth century, Second World War

  22. Image: Bust of Sir Mark Oliphant

    Sir Mark Oliphant bust

    The bust of Sir Mark Oliphant on North Terrace honours an eminent scientist and the state’s first South Australian-born governor.

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1900-1910, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Second World War

  23. Image: A man with a chin-beard and wearing mid-Victorian era attire poses for a photograph. He stands next to a bannister and is holding a stove-pipe hat

    Davenport, Sir Samuel

    Davenport was a liberal-minded and literate parliamentarian and a promoter of industry, especially in the fields of horticulture and viniculture

    Historical Person | By Dr Geoffrey Bishop | North Terrace | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

  24. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a white-haired man with goatee. He is wearing a suit and is standing with his arms crossed

    Kidman, Sir Sidney

    Abstemious but easy-going, Sir Sidney Kidman was a pastoralist and philanthropist who made friends easily.

    Historical Person | By Rob Linn | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century

  25. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a middle-aged bearded man wearing a cravat and overcoat

    Hughes, Sir Walter

    A pastoralist and mine-owner once accused of fraud, Hughes stated shortly before his death: ‘I have been a sinner all my life’.

    Historical Person | By Patricia Sumerling | North Terrace | 1840s, mid nineteenth century

  26. Image: head and shoulders portrait of a reverend

    Social Purity Society

    In July 1882 Rev. Joseph Coles Kirby of Port Adelaide Congregational Church delivered a series of lectures on what he termed the Social Evil – broadly interpreted as drinking, prostitution and other forms of sexual licentiousness. Those present, following a similar movement in England, agreed to form the Social Purity Society (SPS), to combat what they perceived to be an epidemic of vice.

    Historical Organisation | By Jim Jose | late nineteenth century

  27. Image: Street sign

    Social structure

    Social structure and class are more than income and wealth and involve status, religion and ethnicity too

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

  28. Image: Cover page for the 'Song of Australia' sheet music.

    Song of Australia

    ‘Song of Australia’ became the accepted national song in South Australia and, for a time, throughout Australia.

    Historical Thing | By Kerrie Round | late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  29. Unveiling the colours of the SANFL premiers, 5 October 2010

    South Australian Brewing Co. Ltd

    Still brewing strong: Lion’s West End Brewery at Thebarton.

    Historical Organisation | By Alison Painter | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

  30. Image: facade of a building with cars parked in front of it

    South Australian Hotel

    This hotel on North Terrace was first licenced as a public house in 1878 and was closed and demolished in 1971. To many, ‘The South’, the city’s three-storey grand hotel, was Adelaide.

    Historical Place | By Patricia Sumerling | North Terrace | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

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