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The Aboriginal flag flies high over its birthplace, Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square, a symbol of Aboriginal pride, rights and identity.
Historical Thing | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Adelaide City Council plaques promote the city’s heritage and some South Australian identities.
Historical Thing | By Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street, North Terrace | 1980s, early twenty–first century
Leaning forward and shielding his eyes from the sun, this bronze figure of Sturt looks over Victoria Square, not the land he explored
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1900-1910, 1910s
The powerful sculpture of Catherine Helen Spence in Light Square, Adelaide celebrates the life and work of a formidable South Australian.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1850s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1980s
Colonel William Light’s statue on Montefiore Hill pointing towards the centre of Adelaide has come to symbolise the city that Light laid out.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1930s, early twenty–first century
Colonel William Light’s survey marker from 1837 is to be incorporated in the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1920s
Colonel William Light’s grave remains in Light Square, while Light's Monument there has been replaced and embellished over time
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Northwest corner | 1830s, 1840s, 1870s, 1890s, 1900-1910
Celebrated at its opening in 1882, and again a century later, the rotunda remains a focus point for events in Elder Park.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Parklands | 1880s, 1980s
Originally painted by Carol Ruff and Barbary O'Brien in 1984 and modified by Driller Jet Armstrong in 1998.
Historical Thing | By Hannah Stewart, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Street east | 1980s, 1990s
Imposing mine Superintendent Henry Richard Hancock substantially reorganized and developed the “Monster Mine” at Moonta.
Historical Thing | By History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1980s
Kind-hearted and single-minded, 'Padre' Arthur Strange was the founder of the Helping Hand Centre.
Abraham Tobias Boas was the first rabbi in South Australia, but so inclusive he was also called ‘the best Christian in Adelaide’.
Prussian by descent, Adelaide Miethke was an educationist, and her School of the Air ‘bridged the lonely distance’ for outback children.
As general manager of the South Australian Housing Trust, Alexander Maurice Ramsay was energetic and compassionate.
1986 marked the 150th anniversary of the colonisation of South Australia.
A tireless worker for the welfare of soldiers, Alexandrine Seager founded and ran the Cheer-Up Society.
Electrical merchant Alfred Edward Gerard was also a concerned humanitarian, and a worker for Aboriginal welfare.
A manufacturer of agricultural machinery, Alfred Hannaford was also an inventor who devised a pickling machine.
Alf Traeger was friendly but self-effacing, and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the pedal wireless.
Not content with being the nation’s biggest metal goods manufacturer, Alfred Muller Simpson was prominent in public life too.
Howard was a nurseryman and great promoter of subterranean clover. His discoveries have benefited farmers’ pastures throughout South Australia.
A union leader, parliamentarian and egalitarian, Andrew Alexander Kirkpatrick pushed for equal rights for women.
An austere but tolerant Lutheran migrant leader, August Kavel contributed significantly to South Australia’s rich legacy of German culture.
The energetic Augustus Short, South Australia’s first Anglican bishop, laid firm foundations for the growth of the Anglican Church in the new colony.
Camel driver Bejah Dervish, highly-regarded for his part in the Calvert Scientific Exploring Expedition in 1896, became a familiar figure in South Australia’s far north.
Dennis was a poet, journalist and satirist, renowned for The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, the bestselling book of Australian poetry.
Writer and social reformer Catherine Helen Spence was also the first woman to write a novel about Australia.
A geologist and explorer, Cecil Madigan crossed the Simpson Desert in the last classic Australian exploration adventure.
Horribly wounded twice in World War One, the tenacious Hawker went on to be a pastoralist and parliamentarian.
Discover the people who have shaped Adelaide
Explore the city's built environment and famous Parklands
Find the stories behind the city's public artworks, monuments and memorials
Browse some of the themes that contextualise the city's history
Learn about the organisations that have made the city tick
Find out what's drawn people into the city's streets
Explore some of the early maps, plans and panoramas that trace the development of the city
Discover the city's history through a rich collection of museum objects
Explore Adelaide by following a themed tour
Share your memories, stories and pictures with the Adelaidia community