Sir Henry Ayers
11 June 1897 Sir Henry Ayers Sir Henry Ayers who died on the 11 June 1897 came to South Australia in 1840 as a nineteen year-old law clerk. Only five years later he was appointed Secretary of the South Australian Mining Association and became manager of the Burra Mine, in which he invested and which made his fortune. Over the years he was involved in many financial institutions including the Savings Bank, as a director of the Bank of Australasia, and was one of the founders of the Bank of Adelaide. He was on the boards of the Gas Company, the AMP, and for 35 years was Governor of the Botanic Gardens Board. He formed the Old Colonists Association in 1883. For 36 years he was a prominent figure in politics being seven times Premier, eleven times a cabinet minister and for twelve years was President of the Legislative Council. Considered an able administrator, on many occasions he represented South Australia at inter-colonial conferences. He was strongly opposed to the re-introduction of convict transportation to the eastern colonies and was instrumental in the cessation of transportation to Western Australia. In 1871 Ayers bought, from William Paxton, the house on North Terrace which he had been leasing for some years. He made additions to the house with a ballroom on the eastern side and a west wing added to balance the structure. Many dinners and balls were held in ‘Austral House’ as it was then called. In the early 1900s the house stood empty for some years, but was later bought by a syndicate who named it Austral Gardens and built an open-air theatre, and, adjoining it, the Palais Royal Dance Hall. Later still the house was used as a Nurses’ Home by the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Now known as Ayers House the building contains two restaurants and the office of the National Trust. Henry Ayers’ lasting memorial is in the name of Ayers Rock, the remarkable monolith discovered in 1873 by William Gosse. J.J. Pascoe (ed), History of Adelaide and Vicinity, Hussey and Gillingham, Adelaide, 1901, pp. 286-290. Max Lamshed, Adelaide Sketchbook, Rigby, 1967, p. 30.
The Beatles
12 June 1964 The Beatles A huge crowd, said to be the ‘noisiest and most excited ever assembled in the State, but wonderfully well behaved’, greeted the ‘Fab Four’, the Beatles, when they arrived in Adelaide on 12 June 1964. Many thousands cheered them on the way from the airport to the Town Hall where they were given an official welcome to Adelaide in front of an enormous gathering. Later in the afternoon another large crowd, including hundreds of schoolchildren, congregated in front of the South Australian Hotel on North Terrace, spilled on to the road, and covered Parliament House steps. They chanted ‘we want the Beatles’ until the group appeared on the balcony. Back in April, when the tickets to the shows went on sale, the city was packed with people all week-end as the queues formed outside Allan’s in Rundle Street and John Martin’s in North Terrace, ready for opening time on Monday. Within five hours all 12,000 tickets to the four concerts were sold. For the 28 minutes the group was on stage at Centennial Hall the adoring fans screamed, cried, and jumped up and down, as their heroes performed their hit songs. On Sunday afternoon the group was farewelled by an even bigger crowd that the one which welcomed them. It was probably the first time such a reception was given to entertainers in the usually quietly conservative Adelaide. After two hectic days the Beatles were on their way leaving behind a rather bemused city. 125 Years of the Advertiser, Advertiser Newspapers Limited, 1983, p. 180. The Advertiser, 3 January 1994, p. 36.
Sir Ivor Hele
13 June 1912 Sir Ivor Hele One of South Australia’s best known artists, Ivor Hele, was born at Edwardstown on 13 June 1912. He was educated at Prince Alfred College and the School of Arts and Craft. In 1927 he went to Europe where he studied in Paris and Munich. On his return to Adelaide his first solo exhibition was held at Argonaut Galleries in 1930. After a further trip to Europe he returned to South Australia, and in 1937 made his home at Aldinga. When World War II broke out he was asked if he would act as an official war artist. He was advised to enlist, and then draw himself to the attention of General Blamey. He enlisted in the AIF on 29 June 1940 and was posted to 2/48th Infantry at Wayville. In November they sailed for the Middle East. In January 1941 Hele met with General Blamey and was quickly appointed as a war artist with the rank of Captain. He worked in Egypt and later, when the troops were brought back to Australia, went with them to New Guinea. In the Korean conflict Hele again was appointed official war artist, this time with the rank of Major, the equal highest for any war artist, and he became the longest serving. After his war service he was a teacher at the School of Arts and Craft. In 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955 he won the Archibald Prize to add to many other prizes. Many of his paintings and sketches of the two wars are now in the collection at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. He died on 1 December 1993. Gavin Fry, Ivor Hele The Soldiers’ Artist, Canberra, 1984. The Advertiser, 21 January 1956, p. 3.
Hms Buffalo
14 June 1837 HMS Buffalo HMS Buffalo, after being at anchor in Holdfast Bay for six months serving as a home for Governor Hindmarsh, set sail for Sydney on the 14 June 1837, and returned to England in 1839. In 1840 she arrived in Hobart Town from Quebec with a number of rebels and convicts and then went to New Zealand to load cargo, but she was wrecked in Mercury Bay in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand on the 28 July. The ship was built in Calcutta in 1813 as the merchantman Hindostan and was intended for service with the East India Company, but later that year she was purchased by the Royal Navy and renamed Buffalo . She was 120 feet long with a beam of 34 feet, her armaments consisted of sixteen 24 pound cannon and two nine pound long guns, and she had a complement of 93 officers and crew. In 1980 a replica of the Buffalo was built to the original plans and specifications of the British Admiralty, although the interior is not the same as the first ship. The new Buffalo , permanently moored in the Patawalonga Boat Haven at Glenelg, is used as a restaurant and features a nautical museum. The replica cost $1.5 million and was opened by the Premier on the 2 May 1982. Brochure: H.M.S. ‘Buffalo’ Seafood Restaurant and Museum.
Samuel Smith Of Yalumba
15 June 1888 Samuel Smith of Yalumba When Samuel Smith died on the 15 June 1888 he had established a business that is still run by the family. Smith was born in Dorset in 1812 and came to South Australia in 1847 with his wife, four daughters and a son, Sidney. They lived for a time at Paradise, but recognising the possibilities of the soil and climate for viticulture Samuel determined to go to Angaston, for he felt that his experience as a brewer in England would help him at wine making. He took up land near the town and planted vines and fruit trees. In the early years he had difficulty in selling his produce and when the gold rush to Victoria began he joined the exodus, and on sinking his 17th shaft he struck some gold. On his return he enlarged his orchard and vineyard and called the estate ‘Yalumba’, aboriginal for ‘all the country around’. The first wine made in a small cellar in 1853 was of good quality and he gradually prospered. On his death his son, Sidney, was ready to take charge. Sidney had five sons who all came into the business in some capacity. It was during Sidney’s management that the winery’s imposing brick building with its clock tower was built. Smith’s now produce many fine wines and probably one of their best known is the Galway Pipe Port. This name came about from the time the Governor, Sir Henry Galway, used to visit Yalumba and taste the various blends and select one for his cellar, the winemaker would then write on that pipe (cask) Galway’s Pipe. On his return to England in 1920 the Governor allowed Yalumba to use the name. T.T. Pascoe (ed), History of Adelaide and Vicinity, Hussey & Gillingham, Adelaide, 1901, pp. 540-543. Mike Potte,r Wines and Wineries of South Australia, Rigby, Adelaide, 1978, p. 215.
Captain Cedric Howell
17 June 1896 Captain Cedric Howell Captain Cedric Ernest Howell DSO, MC, DFC was born in Adelaide on 17 June 1896. He completed his education at Melbourne Grammar School and trained as a draughtsman. In 1914 he was a Second Lieutenant in the 49th (Prahan) Cadet Battalion and in 1916 he enlisted as a private in the AIF. He served for a brief time in France, but in November of that year transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17 March 1917 and posted to No 17 Reserve Squadron. In July he was promoted to Flying Officer and in October was posted to No 28 Squadron in Italy. It was during his time in Italy that his skill and bravery came under notice. At the time of the creation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918 Howell held the rank of Lieutenant. By the time he was demobilised on 31 July 1919, aged 23, he held an A1 grade from the advanced precision flying school at Gosport, had 19 enemy planes confirmed destroyed and other possible kills, three gallantry awards, and a mention in despatches. In August 1919 he was nominated by Martinsyde Ltd of Working as the pilot for their entry in the England to Australia air race later in the year. This is the race which made famous the names of Ross and Keith Smith. Howell and his navigator were not so lucky. On 10 December somewhere off the island of Corfu their plane went into the sea. Howell’s body was washed ashore some days later. He was buried with full military honours in Heidelberg Cemetery, Victoria on 20 April 1920. Bede Nairn, Geoffrey Serle (eds), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 9.
First Airmail To Perth
2 June 1929 First airmail to Perth On Sunday 2 June 1929 a De Havilland Hercules bi-plane took off from Parafield Aerodrome bound for Perth. This was to be the inaugural service between the two cities. Unfortunately strong head winds of 70 mph, and clouds of dust forced the plane to turn back shortly after passing Port Wakefield. On the previous day over 15,000 people flocked to Parafield to watch an aerial pageant and to see the wife of the Governor, Lady Hore-Ruthven, christen the aircraft ‘City of Adelaide’ which, together with a sister aircraft, ‘City of Perth’, was to be used by Western Australian Airways Ltd to service the route. The Governor described the service as ‘an epoch making event’. The journey could be completed in 30 hours in complete comfort, including a stop at Ceduna, a twelve hour rest at Forrest in Western Australia, and a further stop at Kalgoorlie. To commemorate the event a special stamp was designed for airmail. Mail for Europe was to be airlifted to Perth for loading on a ship at Fremantle. On the return journey mail from Europe would be able to reach the eastern states, by plane from Perth, three to four days earlier than by other means of transport. Passenger fares were £18 each way. After the initial disappointment the aircraft finally left Parafield at 7.15 a.m. on the morning of 4 June with nine passengers and the mail. The Advertiser, 3 June 1929, pp. 9 & 11, 5 June 1929 p. 11. The Personal Touch A Look at South Australia’s Postal History from Proclamation to Present Day, Australia Post, 1986, pp. 26-27.
The Festival Theatre
2 June 1973 The Festival Theatre The Festival Theatre was opened by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, on the 2 June 1973. The theatre seats nearly 2000 people and the proscenium is adjustable in both length and width to enable it to be used for a variety of purposes. This building was the first part of the $17 million performing arts complex to be completed. The other two theatres, the Playhouse of 600 seats on two levels, the 380 seat Space, and the outdoor Ampitheatre were completed later. The site for the centre was chosen in 1969, first plans were drawn up that year, and work commenced in 1970. The costs of the Festival Theatre were met by public donations of $100,000, an Australian Government Grant of $200,000 with the remainder raised by the City Council (one-third) and the South Australian Government (two-thirds). The additional buildings were financed by Government guaranteed loans to the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust, a statutory body incorporated under the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust Act 1971-74. When compared with the cost of the Sydney Opera House of more than $100 million, South Australia has done extremely well with its useful and attractive complex. South Australian Year Book, 1975, p. 245.
Oil Drilling On The Coorong
23 June 1866 Oil drilling on the Coorong On 23 June 1866 a first attempt at finding oil in South Australia was undertaken on the Coorong. This was prompted by the discovery of what appeared to be oily, bitumen-like material on the beach. About a ton of the material, called Coorongite, was scooped up and sent to Scotland for analysis. The report came back that 130 gallons (545 litres) of crude oil had been extracted. As a result several companies and private operators leased land from the government and began drilling. However, no oil was found and although exploration continued it was always disappointing. In 1892 a well was drilled at Salt Creek – it was dry. Further holes were drilled there in 1924 and again in 1932, while other areas in the south-east were also tried, including Robe, Tantanoola, Beachport and Kingston. Eventually it was proved that the oily material was a form of algae which appears rubbery when it dries out. But the search went on: in 1931 a 1400 foot bore was sunk under the Maitland Showground, while on Kangaroo Island a 1000 foot bore was soon abandoned. The only trace of oil was found at Leigh Creek. In the 100 years from 1850 some 20 different companies and syndicates had searched for oil all over the settled areas of the state. It was not until the gas finds in the Cooper Basin in 1963 that South Australia had a viable industry. ‘Fools Oil’, Petroleum Gazette , June 1974, pp. 58-63. Australia ‘s Petroleum Story, AIP Ltd. The Advertiser, 1 April 1953, Newspaper Cuttings Book, Volume 3, p. 54. SLSA.
Patawalonga Gates
24 June 1887 Patawalonga gates On 24 June 1887 the gates on the boat shelter on the Patawalonga Creek at Glenelg washed away. The boat harbour scheme was moved early in the 1880s and although there was some opposition a poll of ratepayers voted for it to go ahead. The Glenelg Council proceeded with work which included a seawall, lock gates, upper weir, and wharves. The cost was estimated at £12,000. By June 1886 the work was completed. The Mayor reported: It has been shown that with reasonable care a large body of water can be retained, pleasant to the eye, a treasure to boatmen, and conducive to the improvement of property and adding attractiveness to the town. However, the gates were not a success. Built to open outward, controlled by chains on drums operated by a windlass, they never properly closed or opened. A large volume of water came down the Patawalonga Creek on 22, 23, and 24 June 1887 and, although the sluice gates were open, not enough water could be let out until eventually the gates gave way. It took the Glenelg Council 28 years to pay off the debt incurred. The Advertiser, 10 October 1931, p. 16.