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.
Adelaide Town Hall
20 June 1866 Adelaide Town Hall The Adelaide Town Hall was officially opened, amid great ceremony, by the Governor, Sir Dominick Daly, on 20 June 1866. The day was declared a holiday and the streets were gaily decorated. At noon the bells in the Town Hall’s Albert Tower were rung for the first time. Designed by William Wright, a former Mayor of Adelaide, on Italianate lines, the building was said to be the largest municipal building in Australia at the time. The front of the hall is 75 feet wide and projects 20 feet over the footpath to form the portico, while the 145 foot tower with its eight bells soared over other buildings in King William Street at that time. Sculptured heads of Italian artists flank those of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort on the facade. In the evening a large crowd of people gathered in front of the Hall to witness the illuminations and the arrival of the guests for the banquet given by the Mayor, William Townsend, and to hear the bells chiming again. Adelaide had done itself proud. The Albert Tower was the city’s tallest structure in 1866 and from the top a modest town of wood and stone could be seen. This view can still be seen in the ‘Duryea Panorama’ which was photographed from the partly completed Town Hall tower, and was on display at Old Parliament House. In 1869 the building on the southern side of the Town Hall was added. In 1877 a magnificent organ was imported from England and was played for the first time at the swearing-in of Sir William Jervois as Governor on 2 October 1877. Max Lamshed, Adelaide Sketchbook, Rigby, 1967, p. 14.
Bank Of South Australia
21 June 1878 Bank of South Australia The Bank of South Australia opened for business, in its new building, on 21 June 1878. In May 1866 the Board of the Bank acquired land in King William Street on which to build the headquarters, but it was not until 1875 that a contract was let to begin work. The building was designed by Edmund Wright of Adelaide and Lloyd Taylor of Melbourne who won a design competition. Described as in the Corinthian style, it was built of stone from the Glen Ewin Quarries with the carving done by local sculptor William Maxwell. The balcony hall, 45 x 65 x 35.5 feet, is an example of the elaborate and ornate style of the Victorian era. In April 1894 the Union Bank of Australia took possession of the business and the premises. Then in 1951 the Union Bank amalgamated with the ANZ Bank who continued to use the building until 1971 when it was sold to an investment company who planned to demolish it to build a 19 storey office block. After public condemnation of this proposal, and following the efforts of an action group, the South Australian Government purchased the property on 18 November 1971 for $750,000. Now re-named Edmund Wright House, it is currently the home of the History Centre. The large hall is also used for concerts. Susan Marsden, Paul Stark, Patricia Sumerling (eds), Heritage of the City of Adelaide, Corporation of the City of Adelaide, 1990, pp. 98-99.
Jubilee Exhibition
21 June 1887 Jubilee Exhibition On 21 June 1887 the Governor, Sir William Robinson, escorted by nearly 1200 mounted troopers, soldiers, marines and a number of brass bands, and led by the mounted police on their greys, moved down North Terrace to the Jubilee Exhibition Building next to the University. There he officially opened the 1887 Jubilee Exhibition which was to run for a year. The large main building, designed by Withall and Wells, was of classical appearance, with a tall dome, reaching a height of 105 feet, crowning it. There were exhibits from all over the world: from Limoges china to locally made farm machinery, furniture, and South Australian wines. In the western annexe was a display of 29 electric lights to intrigue visitors. After the Exhibition the building was used for other purposes including government offices. It was demolished in 1962. The South Australian Register, 22 June 1887.
Sir John Cleland
22 June 1878 Sir John Cleland John Cleland was born in Norwood on 22 June 1878. He was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at Sydney University where he graduated in 1900. He worked overseas for a time until he was appointed to a three year term as Government Pathologist in Western Australia. From 1913-1918 he was principal microbiologist in the New South Wales Department of Health. He was the first incumbent of the Chair of Pathology at the University of Adelaide in 1920, a position he held until his retirement in 1948. An eminent pathologist, zoologist, botanist and anthropologist, he wrote papers on many topics: from diseases in Aboriginals to fungi of South Australia. As chairman of the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves for 28 years he made many journeys into desert regions to conduct scientific research. He was also a member of the Fauna and Flora Board and the Aboriginal Protection Board, and president of the Royal Society. He was a member of the South Australian Field Naturalists Society for 79 years and was a naturalist of international repute. Cleland retired from the Central Board of Health at the age of 90. He was instrumental in acquiring Old Government House at Belair for the National Park, and the establishment of the Para Wirra National Park. In 1963 he was awarded the John Lewis Gold Medal, and was knighted in 1964. A warm and generous man he unfortunately lost his sight through glaucoma in latter years. He died on 11 August 1971. Cleland Wild Life Park is named in his honour. Bede Nairn, Geoffrey Serle (eds), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 8, 1981. The Advertiser, 3 November 1966, p. 3, 12 August 1971, p. 3. Journal of Royal Geographic Society of Australia (SA), No 65, December 1964.
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.
Chinese In Robe
25 June 1857 Chinese in Robe The ship Koenig Willem II arrived in Robe on 25 June 1857 and disembarked 397 Chinese. On 30 June the ship dragged her anchor in a gale and foundered four miles east of the town where she broke up in the pounding seas. Of her crew of 25, 16 perished, although the captain was saved at the last moment when he managed to reach shore on a floating drum. The sailors were buried in the sandhills nearby. The Koenig Willem II was only one of 32 ships which brought thousands of Chinese men, and one woman, to the southern port in 1857. So many Chinese were attracted to the Victorian goldfields in the 1850s that in 1855 the Victorian government placed a poll tax of £10 on all Chinese immigrants arriving in Victoria. This led to the ‘China’ ships, as they were known, having to find another port to land their passengers, and as Robe was the best harbour near the Victorian border it became the logical answer to the problem. In 1856 about 4300 Chinese were landed there, and in 1857 10,325 came ashore. In all over 16,000 immigrants went through the port. Their influx was a boon to Robe for they bought all their supplies in the town before setting out on the long walk to the goldfields. The Victorian government was not impressed by this arrangement and pressured the South Australian government to pass a Restriction Act in June 1857 to cut the inflow of the Chinese. This was repealed in 1861 because the Governor, Sir Richard MacDonnell, regarded the Act as contrary to Britain’s freedom policy, but by this time the gold rush was over. Kathleen Bermingham, Gateway to the South East , SE Times, 1961, p. 107. Wilf Sprengel, The Ecstasy and Agony of Guichen Bay, 1986, pp. 22-28.
Flinders And Baudin At Encounter Bay
8 April 1802 Flinders and Baudin at Encounter Bay Captain Matthew Flinders in his ship, Investigator , left Kangaroo Island on the 6 April 1802 and sailed east. He named the narrow strait between the island the mainland Backstairs Passage, and a bay on the island Antechamber Bay. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon of 8 April a sail was seen ahead and preparations made for action, but on heaving to it was found that the ship was the French Le Geographe under Captain Baudin. Flinders went on board, gave Baudin some of his charts and informed him where water was available on the island and at Port Lincoln. Baudin had come from the east and many of the names bestowed by him along the coast have been retained including Lacepede Bay, Rivoli Bay, Guichen Bay and Cape Jaffa. Flinders named their meeting place Encounter Bay. On the 8 April 1902 a plaque commemorating this meeting was unveiled at Rosetta Head, Victor Harbour. H.M. Cooper, A Naval History of South Australia, Adelaide, 1950, p. 20.