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Aboriginal Missions

Christianity was first introduced to the Kaurna of the Adelaide plains by two German Lutheran missionaries, Clamor Schürmann and Christian…

Aboriginal people

1970s, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Agriculture

South Australian agriculture began in 1837 with activity in Adelaide Plains, the Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley and Clare.

1830s, 1840s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
Archaeology

Although originating with scientists and untrained laymen, archaeology has a distinguished record in South Australia.

Aboriginal people

1920s, 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
Captain Charles Sturt

Charles Napier Sturt was born in Bengal, India, on 28th April 1795, the son of judge Thomas Napier Lennox Sturt.…

1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s
Captain Charles Sturt Memorial

Leaning forward and shielding his eyes from the sun, this bronze figure of Sturt looks over Victoria Square, not the…

statue

farewell, sculpture

1830s, 1840s, 1900-1910, 1910s
Cecil Thomas Madigan

Cecil Thomas Madigan was born on 15th October 1889 at Renmark, South Australia, the son of fruitgrower Thomas Madigan and…

1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
David Shearer

David Shearer dedicated his life to the manufacture of farm machinery but is usually remembered for the steam car that…

1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s
David Unaipon

David Unaipon was born on 28th September 1872 at Point McLeay Mission, South Australia, the son of evangelist James Ngunaitponi,…

1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s
Edward John Eyre

Edward John Eyre (1815–1901) was English-born and educated for a military career but decided to travel to Australia instead. Arriving…

early nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century
Floods

Paradoxically, the only parts of South Australia to experience occasional serious disruption of by flooding are the far distant sparsely…

1840s, 1860s, 1870s, 1890s, 1920s, 1930s, 1950s, 1970s, 2010s
Foundation

South Australia’s foundation – envisaged as the perfect ‘Wakefieldian’ colony – but was it?

1830s
George French Angas

George French Angas was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on 25th April 1822, the eldest son of George Fife…

1840s, 1850s, 1860s
George Woodroffe Goyder, CMG

George Woodroffe Goyder was born in London, England, in 1826, the eldest son of physician and preacher David George Goyder…

late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century
Historical Relics Collection

A collection of nearly 400 objects related to the foundation and settlement of the British colony of South Australia.

1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
Ian Mudie

Ian Mudie (1911–1976) was a poet and publisher, and fiercely nationalistic. He was involved in his youth with the ill-fated…

1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
Invisible Farmer SA Collection

The Invisible Farmer collection is created from contributions from community museums, history groups and individuals throughout South Australia. It consists…

early twentieth century, late twentieth century
James Arthur Prescott, CBE

James Arthur Prescott was born on 9th October 1890 at Bolton, Lancashire, England, the son of textile engineer Joseph Arthur…

1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
Jimmy James, OAM

Jimmy James was born in the hot spinifex desert of Central Australia, at his father’s waterhole, west of Ernabella. He…

1970s, 1980s, mid twentieth century
Labour Settlements

Labour settlements were created during the 1890s to trial collective ownership, new farming technology and the high unemployment created by…

1850s, 1890s
Maritime Exploration

The rapid European maritime exploration of South Australia takes place in the early 19th century

1790s, 1800-1810
Market Gardens and Orchards

South Australian market gardens, nurseries, viticulture industry and orchardists have always required a creative use of water resources in cultivating…
National Parks

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

early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century
Ngadlu Padninthi Kamangka (We Walk Together) mural

Narisha Cash’s mural acknowledges and celebrates the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of Adelaide and the Adelaide…

public art

2010s, Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early twenty–first century
Paint Box

This paint box is believed to have belonged to soldier, public servant and explorer, Captain Charles Sturt.

1800-1810, 1830s, 1840s
Prisons

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

correction, crime, criminal, Gaol, prisoner, yatala

early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Public Libraries

South Australia was unique among the Australian colonies in that the South Australian Literary and Scientific Association assembled a subscription…

early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Regions/Regionalism

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

early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
River Murray

The River Murray has been central to South Australia’s existence. Named in 1830 by Charles Sturt after Sir George Murray,…

early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
Tourism

The South Australian Tourism Commission, established in 1993, focuses on marketing South Australia as a tourist destination to interstate and…

1880s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010
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…

1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

Featured Subject

‘Great Fires’ of Port Adelaide

‘Great Fires’ of Port Adelaide

Featured Subject

19th Century Childbirth

19th Century Childbirth

Featured Subject

Aboriginal Land Rights

Aboriginal Land Rights

Most popular Subjects

Afghans

Afghans

A transcontinental train, ‘The Ghan’, now commemorates the Afghan cameleers and their beasts who helped to pioneer the Outback

Arbor Day

Arbor Day

School children were encouraged to plant trees in an early sign of environmental consciousness

Bicycles

Bicycles

From ‘boneshakers’ to penny-farthings to mountain bikes, bicycles have certainly changed since the 1860s.

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