1. Image: Percy Raymond Begg Plaque

    J150 Plaque, Percy Raymond Begg

    Literally born in a tent, Percy Begg became a pioneer orthodontist whose innovations benefit patients to this day.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  2. Image: Peter and Marjorie Jackson Nelson Plaque

    J150 Plaque, Peter Nelson and Marjorie Jackson Nelson

    A resolute cyclist, Peter Nelson was married to Marjorie Jackson Nelson and died of leukaemia at a young age. A phenomenally successful athlete in her own right, Marjorie Jackson Nelson went on to become a governor of South Australia.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  3. Image: Ronald Maxy Sharpe Plaque

    J150 Plaque, Ronald Max'y Sharpe

    1986 marked the 150th anniversary of the colonisation of South Australia.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  4. Jubilee 150 walkway plaque, ST Gill.

    J150 Plaque, Samuel Thomas Gill

    Artist Samuel Thomas Gill produced a lively visual record of early South Australia.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  5. Jubilee 150 walkway plaque, Sir George Kingston

    J150 Plaque, Sir George Kingston

    By turns architect, engineer, surveyor and parliamentarian, Sir George Kingston was also Speaker of the House of Assembly for almost two decades.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  6. Image: Sir John Melrose Plaque

    J150 Plaque, Sir John Melrose

    Despite going blind, pastoralist and philanthropist Sir John Melrose continued to work with stock and managed properties.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  7. Plaque in wall with writing about Sir Thomas Elder

    J150 Plaque, Sir Thomas Elder

    A pastoralist, philanthropist and businessman, Elder supported numerous outback expeditions and Adelaide institutions.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  8. Image: Colonel William Light Plaque

    J150 Plaque, William Light

    Remembered as the founder of the City of Adelaide, Light was South Australia’s first surveyor-general.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  9. Image: William Muirden Plaque

    J150 Plaque, William Muirden

    William Muirden founded the Muirden College for Business Training, and was known for his well-balanced and harmonious nature.

    Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s

  10. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a clean-shaven, middle-aged Caucasian man wearing a suit of 1940s vintage

    Prescott, Prof. James

    The founder of soil science in Australia, James Prescott was active at every level of education. 

    Historical Person | By Prof Emeritus John Prescott | North Terrace | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

  11. Image: seated man in relaxed pose

    Fisher, Sir James

    Fisher became the first Mayor of Adelaide in 1840 and the first resident South Australian to be knighted in 1860

    Historical Person | By Allison Russell, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

  12. Image: A full-length photographic portrait of an elderly, bearded man sitting in a chair. The man is wearing a suit and holding a cane in his hands

    Martin, Mr. James

    A man of many parts, Martin was an inventor, politician, philanthropist, engineer and ‘The Father of Gawler’.

    Historical Person | By Derek Whitelock | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  13. Bonython, Lady Jean

    Lady Bonython grew from ‘Baby Mayoress’ into a community worker and supporter of numerous charities, especially those benefiting women and children

    Historical Person | By Joyce Gibberd | Southeast corner | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

  14. black and white image of a woman sitting at a desk with a book

    Cashmore, Jennifer

    Jennifer Cashmore was a trailblazer in South Australian politics. 

    Historical Person | By Amy Morrison & Larrie Strautmanis | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, 2020s

  15. Newspaper photo, head and shoulders of woman.

    Cooper, Mrs. Jessie

    Jessie Mary Cooper was the first woman elected to South Australia’s parliament. 

    Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | 1850s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

  16. Image: Bronze statue of female angel with leaves

    JH & GF Angas Memorial

    The Angas Memorial was completed in 1915 as a tribute to the memory of George Fife Angas and John Howard Angas, colonists who contributed to the foundation of South Australia.

    Historical Thing | By Madeleine Ryan, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands

  17. James, Mr. Jimmy

    A masterly Aboriginal police tracker, James saved lives, gathered evidence and attained legendary status.

    Historical Person | By Robert Holmes | North Terrace | 1970s, 1980s, mid twentieth century

  18. Wendt, Joachim

    Joachim Wendt was a Danish-born silversmith whose work included extravagant naturalism, Edwardian style, and restrained Regency taste.

    Historical Person | By Richard Phillips | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

  19. McPherson, Mr. John

    A union official and social reformer who was not a socialist, John McPherson became the first leader of South Australia's Parliamentary Labor Party 

    Historical Person | By Nick Ganzis | East Terrace | 1880s, 1890s

  20. Image: An obituary notice featuring a photographic portrait of a moustachioed middle-aged man wearing wire-rimmed spectacles

    Hartley, Mr. John

    Though stern and strict, educationist (and first Inspector-General of Schools) John Anderson Hartley favoured progressive and innovative ideas.

    Historical Person | By Anna Stirling Pope | North Terrace, Parklands | late nineteenth century

  21. Bishop, John

    Instigator and first Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival, John Bishop was a musician, teacher and visionary.

    Historical Person | By Jo Peoples | North Terrace | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

  22. Image: men and horse drawn carts in front of a huge pile of wheat sacks

    Dunn, Mr. John

    The father of Mount Barker, John Dunn lived a long and successful life as a miller, merchant and philanthropist in South Australia.

    Historical Person | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

  23. Image: John Jefferson Bray Memorial Fountain

    John Jefferson Bray Memorial Fountain

    The John Jefferson Bray Memorial Fountain commemorates the life of a senior judge, scholar and poet

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Southeast corner | 1910s, 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1990s

  24. Image: A photographic portrait of a middle-aged man with a moustache and wire-rimmed spectacles

    Black, John

    Remembered as an eminent botanist, Black was also an accomplished linguist, who reprimanded his grandchildren in French and his dog in Spanish.

    Historical Person | By Dr David Jones | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

  25. Image: Illustration of a bearded man leaning on a rifle and armed with two pistols attached to his belt, c.1855

    Stuart, John McDouall

    Explorer and surveyor John McDouall Stuart was celebrated as a hero for leading the first European expedition to cross Australia from south to north.

    Historical Person | By Peter Bowyer | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s

  26. Statue of John McDouall Stuart, unveiled 4 June 1904

    John McDouall Stuart statue

    The statue of inland explorer John McDouall Stuart at the corner of Victoria Square and Flinders Street, Adelaide, commemorates his place in Australian history

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton and Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1960s

  27. Image: Head shot of elderly man with beard and white hair.

    Morphett, Sir John

    John Morphett, namesake of the Adelaide suburb Morphettville, contributed widely to the cultural and economic support of early south Australia.

    Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1830s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

  28. Image: A painted head-and-shoulders portrait of an elderly Caucasian man with a long white beard and equally long hair. He is wearing what appear to be ecclesiastical vestments and a hat

    Ridley, Mr. John

    A miller and inventor of the harvesting device that bears his name, John Ridley revolutionized the wheat industry in South Australia. 

    Historical Person | By Jack Reddin | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s

  29. Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of an elderly man dressed in late-nineteenth century attire and sporting a long white beard

    Bagshaw, John

    ‘If worth doing, do it well’ was the motto of John Bagshaw, pioneering designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

    Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

  30. Man sitting in small archive room with pictures behind him

    Vanagas, Mr. Jonas

    A quiet unassuming immigrant to Australia, Jonas Vanagas gave his free time to collect the history of Lobethal and the Lithuanian community.

    Historical Person | By Daina Pocius, Lithuanians in South Australia | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, Second World War

Pages