Mid North and Clare Valley

Image: view from above of man amongst large pipes

Improved sewerage system for Adelaide

In 1881 Adelaide became the first Australian capital city to be connected to a water-borne sewerage system.

Historical Subject | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

Image: An upper body portrait photograph of a man in an army uniform, and wearing an army hat with chin strap.

Hele, Sir Ivor

Ivor Henry Thomas Hele was an official war artist in North Africa, New Guinea and Korea; possibly Australia’s most important war artist.

Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian man in a Victorian-era Catholic clergyman’s outfit. The man has long, dark wavy hair pulled back behind his head

Woods, Julian

Julian Woods was the co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a creative priest, educationist and scientist.

Historical Person | By Sister Margaret Press | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

Cocks , Fanny

Kate Cocks was both a welfare worker and the first woman police constable in the British Empire.

Historical Person | By Dorothy Pyatt | 1900-1910, 1910s, 1930s, 1950s

Korean War

Over 400 South Australians served in the Korean War (1950–53) alongside other Commonwealth and United States forces

Historical Subject | By Brendan Moran | 1950s

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian man wearing a late-Victorian era suit (without tie). He is sporting a large, luxurious handlebar moustache

Wells, Lawrence

Explorer and surveyor Lawrence Wells survived gruelling expeditions but died after being struck by a railcar.

Historical Person | By Rod Cramer | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

Image: Seven bewigged and robed supreme court judges, seated and posing for photograph, 1915

Legal Profession

The evolving profession in South Australia retained some centuries-old practices.

Historical Subject | By Peter Moore | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1980s

Image: A photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of a young Caucasian woman dressed in early twentieth century attire. She has dark hair and eyes and is wearing a pearl necklace and light cardigan sweater

de Lissa, Ms. Lillian

Hard working, widely read and exceptionally charming, exotically-named intellectual Lillian Daphne de Lissa was a kindergarten pioneer.

Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | North Terrace | 1900-1910, 1910s

Image: A photographic portrait of a moustachioed middle-aged Caucasian man wearing wire-rimmed spectacles and a mid-20th century suit and tie

Scammell, Mr. Luther

Manufacturing chemist Luther Scammell prepared compounds, saved a struggling business, and coined the name ‘Solyptol’.

Historical Person | By Peter Donovan | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

Image: Upper body portrait photograph of a man wearing a suit

McEwin, Mr. Alexander

Lyell Alexander McEwin (1897–1988) received a frugal Mid North upbringing which taught him the motto, ‘waste not, want not’, that characterised his 40 years in the Legislative Council, 1934–75.

Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Image: black and white photo of man in suit wearing white turban

Allum, Mahomet

Mahomet Allum was described in glowing testimonials as 'the wonder man' and by his adversaries as a 'quack'.

Historical Person | By Vedrana Budimir & Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

Image: A young Caucasian woman in a full-length Edwardian-era dress paints a still life on an easel. The painting features a couple of vases holding flowers

Preston, Mrs. Margaret

A highly influential painter and printmaker, Margaret Preston was once described as 'a natural enemy of the dull'.

Historical Person | By Jane Hylton | North Terrace | 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

Jackson Nelson, Ms. Marjorie

A phenomenally successful athlete, Marjorie Jackson Nelson went on to become a governor of South Australia

Historical Person | By Prof John Daly | North Terrace | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

Deeply affected by the isolation and loneliness of her early married life, Mary Jane Warnes strived to improve conditions for her fellow countrywomen by founding the South Australian Country Women’s Association.

Historical Person | By Nancy Robinson Flannery | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

Lee, Mary

Suffragist and social reformer Mary Lee was jubilant when, in 1894, South Australia became the first Australian colony to grant women the vote.

Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

Image: A portrait of a young woman wearing a nun’s habit. She is holding a bible and a crucifix

MacKillop, Mary

An educationist and co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary MacKillop is now famous as Australia’s only Catholic saint.

Historical Person | By Sister Marie Foale | Central Market, North Terrace | 1900-1910, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

Mills, Ms. May

Educationist and sports administrator May Mills believed 'the wholesome development of a nation' depended on sport.

Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Anderson, M.C.

MC ‘Thistle’ Anderson was a Scottish born actress turned writer. Best known for her pamphlet Arcadian Adelaide; she also published poems and short stories.

Historical Person | By Anthony Laube | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

Adelaidia