National Trust SA Heritage Living January 2024

03

OUR NEW HOME

Former National Trust of South Australia president Norman Etherington writes about a major milestone in the history of the Trust and the North Adelaide Baptist Church – now home to the organisation’s State Office.

06

DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS

Read about some of the Trust’s dogfriendly properties, and plan a day out with your pooch.

08

NATURAL HERITAGE

In the first of an occasional new series about National Trust reserves, Natural Heritage Manager Alex Emmins explores the magical wonders of Zelling Reserve on Kangaroo Island.

12

BEACHPORT

Volunteer Rhonda Burleigh reflects on the history of Beachport’s awardwinning museum, and the volunteer efforts that have contributed to its success since it opened just over 50 years ago.

16

THE BUGGY

Honorary curator Peter Foster takes us on a journey into horse and buggy days in his latest story highlighting items in the Trust’s significant horse-drawn vehicle collection.

18

MARRIED AT 60

Costume collection curator Sandy Whitelaw introduces a special wedding dress, created in 1930 for a first-time bride from Port Pirie, who may well have thought she would never marry.

20

VISIT ITALY

Visit unexpected Italy, the next in our series exploring what’s on offer to National Trust members through reciprocal arrangements with heritage organisations overseas.

22

PIONEER WOMEN'S TRAIL

Hahndorf Branch president Annettee Humphries provides a brief history of the Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk – the largest annual event organised by the National Trust.

24

WHAT'S ON

Explore what’s on to start the New Year, and to celebrate summer and the first weeks of autumn, in our new-look calendar.

From the President

From the President

PAUL LEADBETER

I am always impressed by the range of diverse activities undertaken by the National Trust of South Australia. This edition of Heritage Living exemplifies that diversity. The National Trust clearly does a lot more than simply conserve and protect heritage buildings.

The Trust has 24 nature reserves either within its direct ownership or under its care and custodianship. The Zelling Reserve on Kangaroo Island is a wonderful example of a rich piece of biodiversity held by the Trust and protected for future generations.

The annual Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk takes participants through a range of reserves and bushland, along paths originally used by First Nations people, and celebrates the efforts of early German immigrants, who used the same tracks as a means of taking produce from the Adelaide Hills to markets in Adelaide.

A story from the Beachport Branch describes one of the Trust’s popular museums, run and managed by dedicated volunteers. The Trust has many such museums of various sizes and complexity. We also have some fascinating and varied collections, such as the well maintained and significant costume collection and the horse-drawn vehicle collection held by the Millicent Branch.

Where it can happen without threatening a property’s heritage values and sustainability, the National Trust encourages the community to visit its nature reserves and heritage buildings. Details of some properties that are ‘dog friendly’ are also outlined in this edition.

Gardens, buildings, museums, nature reserves, events and collections all require considerable organisation, forward planning and hard work by the National Trust branches and dedicated groups of volunteers if they are to be successfully maintained and available for the future enjoyment of our members and the public. The National Trust is fortunate to have a very dedicated group of volunteers without whose assistance we would struggle to provide the eclectic range of activities described in this edition. We thank them for their service.

The National Trust of South Australia is a communitybased organisation established in 1955 to preserve, protect and promote the State's built, natural and cultural heritage. Our magazine is published three times a year.

PUBLISHER

National Trust of South Australia North Adelaide Baptist Church 154 Tynte St North Adelaide SA 5006

08 8202 9200

publications@nationaltrustsa.org.au

www.nationaltrust.org.au/sa

EDITOR

Liz Harfull www.lizharfull.com

DESIGNER

Rosie Everett Brand Warrior www.brandwarrior.com.au

ON THE COVER

Cover Image: Zelling Reserve by Alex Emmins, 2023.

The National Trust acknowledges the Traditional Owners and ongoing occupants of the lands and waters in South Australia. We respect their spiritual beliefs, culture and heritage, and pay deep respect to Elders past and present.

ISSN 0815-7871

PP536155/0036

North Adelaide Baptist Church - Our New Home

The National Trust of South Australia has a new home. In May, our State Office relocated to the North Adelaide Baptist Church precinct in Tynte Street. Former president Norman Etherington explains how this came to be, and some of the site’s fascinating history.

BY EMERITUS PROFESSOR NORMAN ETHERINGTON

The National Trust’s partnership with the North Adelaide Baptist Church ranks among the most significant milestones in the history of both organisations. With this momentous step the Trust assumes custodianship of one of South Australia’s premier heritage places. For the Baptist congregation it means that their legacy lives on to inspire future generations. Trust members, naturally, will want to learn more about the Church and its history.

Historian Douglas Pike (son of Baptist missionaries) called his pioneering study of early South Australian history, Paradise of Dissent (1957). The title pointed to the extraordinary foundation of a British colony with no established church and freedom of worship for all. Up to that time the Church of England enjoyed a special position at home and abroad. Its clergy were paid servants of the state. Catholics, Jews and members of other Protestant denominations were denied many rights and privileges enjoyed by Anglicans. In South Australia the so-called Dissenters enjoyed equal rights regardless of religion.

The Baptists quickly emerged among the most prominent with North Adelaide as their headquarters. The little Ebenezer Chapel – still standing in Brougham Court – was the earliest Baptist church in the colony. A split in the congregation in 1850 caused some to move to new premises on Lefevre Terrace. Those who stayed behind built a grander church on Brougham Place (later demolished). Soon the numbers on Lefevre Terrace had grown so much that architect James Cumming was employed to design a splendid new building on Tynte Street. Completed in 1870, the church departs from the gothic revival style used in so many other Victorian ecclesiastical buildings.

ABOVE: A window created by pre-eminent Australian stained-glass artist Cedar Prest (photo by Elana Bailey).

The interior is equally innovative. There is no high altar. Its raked floor and seating plan directs all attention to the pulpit, because preaching rather than the Eucharist commanded attention in the Baptist faith. Quite likely, the sensational preaching of Charles Spurgeon at his Baptist Tabernacle in London, which attracted thousands, inspired the layout of the Church on Tynte Street. Another feature was the organ that began in a small way in 1874 but grew over time to be one of the finest in South Australia. The emphasis on preaching and music accounts for the wonderful acoustics of the interior, which makes it today a popular venue for concerts.

By the 21st century the congregation was struggling to keep up the buildings and pay the minister. In 2014, I, as President of the National Trust, and then CEO Eric Heapy were invited by the Baptist lay committee to discuss ways we might help with the crippling costs of insurance. At that time the subject of making the property over to the Trust was briefly considered. Eric and I expressed our hope that the church could surmount its current problem and promised to help in any way we could.

Thankfully, the committee survived that financial crisis, only for similar problems to recur in a few years’ time. Again, they approached the Trust. Survival of their congregation and its legacy was top of the agenda. The Trust agreed that the church complex and the specifically English Baptist theological tradition they represent deserve to live on.

And they do under National Trust ownership. So long as the congregation survives, the Tynte Street building will host its services. The Trust for its part undertakes to ensure the wellbeing of the ensemble of buildings. By relocating its own State Office to Tynte Street, it is well positioned to serve as custodian of this State Heritagelisted place in centuries to come.

Donate Now!

The North Adelaide Baptist Church Hall and Precinct have been a cornerstone of the local community for many years, serving as a gathering place for community events and activities, as well as a place for worship. Aside from protecting a significant heritage site, conserving it is crucial to ensuring this historic gem continues to be available for people to hire and enjoy.

As custodians, the National Trust has established an appeal to raise money for ongoing efforts to repair, restore and maintain the hall and its precinct. Please support this important initiative and donate now. All donations over $50 will receive a tax deductible receipt. Visit the link below, or post donations to The North Adelaide Baptist Church Hall and Precinct Appeal, c/o PO Box 290, North Adelaide SA 5006.

Scan the QR Code or visit: nationaltrust.org.au/ donate-sa

ABOVE and OPPOSITE: Details of the church portico and side wall (photos by Elana Bailey).

Make it a Dog’s Day Out

Did you know that some of the National Trust's nature reserves and historic properties are dog friendly?

BY LIZ HARFULL

ABOVE and OPPOSITE: Dogs enjoying a day out at Beaumont House (photos by Elana Bailey).

The National Trust of South Australia Council decided to allow dogs at select properties after seeing how many canines enjoyed participating in the annual Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk celebrations at Beaumont House. Now people can take their dog to more than 10 properties for a shared day out.

If your canine fancies the open air, head to Watiparinga Reserve in Eden Hills, which offers panoramic views of the city and coastline. Or pack a sandwich and some doggie treats, and stop for a shared picnic while you listen to birdsong from the viewing platform in Bridgewater’s Engelbrook Reserve.

For the pooch that prefers a manicured garden, meander shaded paths at tranquil Stangate House and Garden in the Adelaide Hills, or explore the borders lovingly tended by volunteers at Beaumont House. Dogs are also welcome on the grounds of Z Ward in Glenside, Tea Tree Gully Museum, and Willunga’s Courthouse and Slate museums.

Further afield, for a walk on the wild side lead your furry friend through Nurragi Conservation Reserve at Milang, where remnant Mallee vegetation forms a wildlife corridor linking the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges with Lake Alexandrina. In the Riverland, let your dog take in the country air at Wilabalangaloo Reserve near Berri, while you enjoy the spectacular ochre-coloured cliffs. Travel west

to Overland Corner to visit another beautiful stretch of the River Murray and historic buildings at adjoining Heron’s Bend and Overland Corner reserves.

On Eyre Peninsula, pack provisions for a barbecue at Brinkworth Reserve, perched on Winter Hill, just a few kilometres from Port Lincoln. Well behaved dogs are even allowed off leash in the mowed recreational areas of this popular reserve, which is easily accessible by car.

If you take some snaps for social media, be sure to use the tag #nationaltrustsa so we can share the joy of your day out too.

Plan Your Visit

Visit nationaltrust.org.au/places-sa for more details about each property and opening times. Please note that most properties require dogs to be kept on a leash at all times, and don’t forget to bring along some doggie bags so you can clean up after them too.

Scan the QR Code or visit: nationaltrust.org.au/places-sa

Kangaroo Island’s Magical Wildflower Sanctuary

Natural Heritage Manager Alex Emmins shares the wonders of Zelling Reserve, in the first of an occasional new series exploring the 24 reserves cared for by the National Trust of South Australia and our dedicated volunteers.

BY ALEX EMMINS

Kangaroo Island is renowned for its stunning coastlines and unique flora and fauna, but Zelling Reserve far exceeds expectations. Its magical, all-encompassing beauty consumes you so completely that it is easy to lose all sense of time and place.

The reserve covers 397 hectares on the Dudley Peninsula at the eastern end of Kangaroo Island. Tucked between Leseur and Simpson conservation parks, it provides important habitat linkage for native flora and fauna, and is home to some rare and vulnerable species.

Zelling Reserve contains the only two recorded examples of rough-barked Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis ssp. cygnetensis) woodland plant associations on the island, providing vital seed stock for re-vegetation programs. Altogether, the site supports eight species of eucalypt and is the only area on the island where four of these species are known to grow together.

It is also home to several important species of native orchid. The reserve has one of only four recorded populations of the nationally-listed Kangaroo Island Spider Orchid (Caladenia ovata). On a recent visit with ecologists from the State Department for Environment and Water (DEW), we also spotted some Crimson Wispy Spider Orchids (Caladenia sanguinea), listed as rare in South Australia, and a Southern Plumed Greenhood orchid (Plumatichilos tasmanicus), listed as extremely rare.

Excitingly, we also sighted several Kangaroo Island Striated Thornbills (Acanthiza lineata whitei). This subspecies of birds was listed as nationally vulnerable after the devastating bushfires of 2019-20 burnt more than 60% of its known range.

The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board and DEW are currently trapping and removing feral cats from the Dudley Peninsula in the first stage of a major program that aims to eradicate this invasive predator from the whole of the island. A three kilometre-long fence is being installed across the narrowest section of the peninsula, and a few traps have been set along the boundary of Zelling Reserve where initially two feral cats were trapped.

These now see more accidental trappings of the Rosenberg’s goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) than anything else. Thankfully, a remote monitoring system senses when a trap has been triggered and they are checked daily. Rosenberg’s goanna is the only monitor species found on Kangaroo Island. Once widespread across southern Australia, it is now listed as vulnerable and the island is one of the last strongholds.

Never have I seen numerous plant associations with so many wildflowers, orchids, birds and reptiles in one location as can be found at Zelling Reserve. It truly is a haven and an incredibly special piece of paradise that deserves protection and conservation efforts by the National Trust of South Australia.

About Zelling Reserve

Zelling Reserve is open daily, there are no facilities or designated walking trails.

Scan the QR Code or visit: nationaltrust.org.au/places/zelling-reserve

OUR TRAILBLAZING BENEFACTOR

The National Trust received Zelling Reserve in 2004, from the estate of Sesca Zelling, a longstanding member who wanted the property kept as a wildflower sanctuary. Born in 1918, Mrs Zelling was a trailblazer for women in the State’s legal profession. She obtained her law degree from the University of Adelaide in 1941, becoming only the 35th woman admitted to the bar in South Australia. Mrs Zelling worked as a prosecuting officer for the Deputy Commonwealth Crown Solicitor until 1947 when she became the first female Secretary of the Law Society of SA. At the time of her death in 2001, she was the longest-serving woman member of the Royal Association of Justices, having been appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1945. For some years, Mrs Zelling shared an office with her husband, Howard, meticulously handling mainly wills, estates and conveyancing. She wound up her practice in 1969 after he was made a judge to avoid any perceived risk of conflict of interest.

Mrs Zelling was awarded an OBE in 1960 for her services to women and the community. For more than 10 years, she was convenor of the National Council of Women Standing Committee for laws and suffrage, and she served as president of the Australian Federation of University Women. She was a trustee of the National Council of Women War Memorial Fund for 22 years, and chair of the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden.

Mrs Zelling died at the age of 83, just 16 days after her husband. They had been married for more than 50 years.

ABOVE: Sesca Zelling (courtesy The Law Society of South Australia).

TOP: Grass Trees in Zelling Reserve (photo by Alex Emmins).

PREVIOUS PAGE: Spring wildflowers in Zelling Reserve (photo by Alex Emmins).

Celebrating Beachport’s Marvellous Museum and its Volunteers

BY RHONDA BURLEIGH

It is now more than 50 years since the National Trust branch at Beachport opened its awardwinning museum in the town’s old wool and grain store.

Volunteer Rhonda Burleigh reflects on the building’s history and some of the volunteer efforts that have contributed to the museum’s success.

In October 2022, the Beachport National Trust Museum reached a milestone, having operated for 50 years as a volunteer-run museum. Over that time, many willing helpers have devoted countless hours to open the museum daily and create displays that bring the history of Beachport to life, as well as being responsible for fundraising, cleaning and maintenance.

One of our newest displays features the original owner of the building, shipping agent Franz Max Heinrich Bevilaqua (1835-1918). A Danish immigrant who arrived in South Australia in 1855, Bevilaqua bought the block for £305 on 30 May 1878 at the first auction of land in the newly surveyed township. His wool and grain store was erected with local materials soon after, making it one of the first buildings on the main thoroughfare of Railway Terrace.

By 1879, Beachport on Rivoli Bay was considered a safe port. With the construction of the railway line to Mount Gambier and a fully-functioning jetty by 1884, it became a bustling settlement. Two shipping companies operated from the building, which housed cargo delivered by visiting barques and steamships, and stored product until it was loaded onto ships sailing for Adelaide or Melbourne. Passengers could also book passage at the store.

After the building left Bevilaqua’s hands in 1882, it changed owners many times. The ground floor continued to be used by shipping and stock agents, with a spur line running into the building from the main railway line. By 1914, Kitson steam motor coach No. 2 (sister to Pichi Richi’s famous Coffee Pot) was being used to shunt goods to and from the jetty and the store. After the railway era, came motor cars. In 1947, Beachport’s first garage set up on the site, while the upstairs rooms were rented to holidaymakers. Then in 1957, the western wing was leased to the District Council of Beachport, which used it as offices and chambers until 1961. Three years later, council purchased the site with the intention of demolishing the store to build a new community hall, after ‘agitation’ by a local committee. It remained unused for years, rapidly deteriorating and extensively damaged by vandals.

However, 'people power’ eventually won and in 1972 council granted the newly formed Beachport branch of the National Trust a 21-year lease, so the building could be restored and turned into a museum. Six months later, on 9 October 1972, the official grand opening was celebrated before about 500 visitors. After a block at the back of the museum was acquired in 1976, an extension was added to house local agricultural machinery and our famous whaling, fishing and lighthouse display.

The museum is now an important feature of the township. In 2008, we made national headlines when it won the inaugural ABC Radio National Marvellous Regional Museum Award for the best volunteer-run museum in Australia, recognising the efforts of 35 volunteers.

Individual awards followed. In 2009, current president Elaine Donaldson received the Trust’s Dr Mildred Mocatta Award for her significant contribution towards forming the Beachport branch in December 1971 and saving the wool store.

Then in 2012, former chair Marcia Lorenz received a Minister’s commendation in the annual State Heritage Heroes Awards. In part, the award recognised her dedicated work on the One Land, Two Cultures display. When it opened in 2011, this permanent exhibit was

praised for setting a new benchmark in telling Aboriginal contact stories about the impact of European settlement on the Buandik people of the South East. It is still one of our most commented-on exhibits.

Today a small committee of six people, supported by other volunteers, manage the desk or carry out activities within the museum, according to their skills and expertise. The building is still owned by the local council (now Wattle Range), however the Beachport branch covers all utilities, maintenance, insurance and general operating expenses. Income from admission fees is subsidised by sales from a shop selling second-hand bric-a-brac, which operates from a room that was once Beachport’s first bank. The public are generous and we are never short of quality articles.

Our future looks bright. We are looking forward to adding more space at the back of the building for storage, and more exciting new exhibits are in the pipeline.

OPPOSITE: Museum volunteers who have contributed more than 100 years combined, (from left) Elaine Donaldson, Raylee Crowe, Andrea Sutherland, Dot Wallis and Rhonda Burleigh (photo by Kerry Martin).

ABOVE: Franz Bevilaqua, who built the wool and grain store, with his son Louis (courtesy Beachport Branch).

St Peter’s Cathedral Conservation Appeal

As part of a long-standing relationship, the National Trust is partnering with St Peter’s Cathedral to raise money towards conservation of a truly landmark Adelaide building.

BY GERALD LIPMAN

St Peter’s Cathedral is one of the most recognisable historic buildings in Australia. The neo-gothic cathedral and its towering spires are prominent features of the city skyline, with their image broadcast to millions of television viewers around the world during cricket matches at nearby Adelaide Oval. Around 40,000 visitors pass through the doors annually.

Listed in both the National Estate and South Australian Heritage registers, St Peter’s is also one of the most significant ecclesiastical heritage buildings in the State. Built in stages between 1868 and 1904, it is considered a fine example of the stonemason’s craft, and features beautiful stained-glass windows and magnificent timber carvings. But the cathedral is much more than the sum of its architectural and decorative parts.

For almost 150 years, it has been the preeminent place of worship for the Anglican Church in South Australia, and an important gathering place for both celebration and lament. In 2022, it hosted the State Memorial Service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Christmas services draw some 7,000 school children each year, along with their families. With its fine acoustics, recently restored pipe organ, long tradition of choral music and bells, the cathedral also continues to be a popular venue for arts festivals, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and a wide range of performances by local, interstate and international artists.

Donate Now!

In 2014, a detailed Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was developed for St Peter’s by conservation and heritage consultants McDougall and Vines. Swanbury Penglase Architects used this as the basis to create an eleven-stage plan to ensure the cathedral will serve the Anglican Church and the South Australian community for many more years to come. The first two stages have been completed, and the third stage is in progress, with the fourth likely to commence in early 2024.

The total cost of all eleven stages was priced in 2020 at more than $6 million, but the work will probably not be completed until 2030. By that time, the cost will most likely have risen by another 20-30%. The cathedral community has raised more than $1 million for the third and fourth stage, and there is optimism the City of Adelaide council will provide some assistance for stage four, given it provided grant funding for stages one and three. However, more funds are needed to continue this vital conservation work.

Since St Peter’s Cathedral and the National Trust refreshed their funding partnership three years ago, around 90% of funds raised have been directed through the National Trust. Donors are encouraged to continue this support by visitng the links below or sending donations to the St Peter’s Conservation Appeal, c/o National Trust of South Australia, PO Box 290, North Adelaide SA 5006. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable.

Scan the QR Code or visit: nationaltrust.org.au/donate-sa

LEFT: Memorial Garden and Roses (courtesy St Peter's Cathedral) ABOVE: View of St Peter’s Cathedral over Adelaide Oval c.1950 (courtesy State Records of South Australia).

The Ubiquitous Buggy

BY PETER FOSTER

Honorary curator Peter Foster continues his fascinating series highlighting items in the National Trust’s horse-drawn vehicle collection, held at the Millicent Museum.

The vehicles called buggies in England were vastly different from their American namesakes. The English buggy was a two-wheeled vehicle designed to carry one person. Putting pen to paper in 1877, eminent London coachbuilder George Thrupp had this to say about the American version: ‘Those made by the best builders will last a long time without repair. The whole is so slender and elastic that it “gives” – to use a trade term – and recovers itself at an obstacle.’

With these attributes, the buggy became a popular choice in the fledging colonies of Australia. Before the establishment of a significant coach-building industry in this country, many were imported from America. Among the first purchasers was pioneering Sydney industrialist Thomas Mort, who acquired one in the early 1850s. It’s journey home via ship generated the following report:

‘An object of great interest during the voyage was a buggy. The vehicle was standing on the deck and was very carefully covered with a stout tarpaulin.’

American-built vehicles were referred to in Australia as Yankee buggies. Both elegant and reliable, it could be said that there was a time when these do-anything-goanywhere buggies were almost as plentiful as rabbits. Unlike rabbits, they were not confined to the country, where, driven by squatters in cabbage-tree hats they could be seen streaking across rough terrain with a pair of chestnuts harnessed to the pole.

They could also be found in the larger towns and cities, cutting a dash with one horse or two. They were driven more warily by priests, doctors and commercial travellers, who were not always skilled horsemen –

moving through the city streets, entering the churchyard, or leaving town to traverse dusty country roads seeking buyers for pianos or the latest cure-all.

Buggies came with or without hoods, with one seat or two, painted or varnished over natural timber. They were given stylish names that described their component parts (side bar, side spring), their manufacturer (Abbot), their design attributes (speeding buggy) or even world-famous celebrities (the Jenny Lind, named after a Swedish opera singer).

Buggies were frequently mentioned in Australian literature. In a series of short stories originally published as Joe Wilson and his Mates (1901), Henry Lawson wrote about Joe’s wife, Mary, whose great ambition was to own a buggy and how overwhelmed she felt when the dream came true.

The cockatoos above screeched in derision to see us flying by... “Steady boys, Steady!” Joe kept persuasively calling to them, and our trouble seemed at an end when suddenly a fresh difficulty occurred. We came upon a big dray in front blocking up the road, and in trying to pass between it and a tree, the heavy wheel came in contact with our light one. I have a dim recollection of a confused something, and a good womanly scream behind, then a blank. Another moment and we were all sorting ourselves from under broken wheels and horses’ hoofs and scattered harnesses. The buggy on its side was minus a wheel...

Buggies were well designed for bush work where the four large wheels and relatively wide track gave them stability in the most taxing terrain, although accidents did happen. Eminent Australian wildflower painter, Ellis Rowan, related a near fatal incident in her book, A Flower Hunter in Queensland and New Zealand (1898), when she was travelling as a passenger:

She stared at me, and I sat there, grinning like a fool.

‘Joe!’ she said, ‘whose buggy is that?’

‘Well, I suppose it’s yours,’ I said.

She caught her breath, and stared at the buggy and then at me again...

‘Oh, Joe! what have you done?’ cried Mary. ‘Why, it’s a new double buggy!’

Then she rushed at me and hugged my head…

Even though accidents like this must have been numerous when so-called roads were mere tracks, buggies were still popular purchases. Even those who could afford other vehicles remained loyal to the buggy when they travelled country roads.

The National Trust’s collection includes a wide range of buggy styles, many of the vehicles in original condition. Dating from 1880 to a remarkable Abbot-style buggy built in 1930, they are representative of the coachbuilding craft from both eminent Adelaide and country firms. The number and diversity of these remarkable horse-drawn vehicles reflects their popularity during an era that, colloquially, even carries their name - Horse and Buggy Days!

OPPOSITE: Three priests in a buggy (courtesy Strathalbyn Branch National Trust). FROM TOP: A piano-box buggy built by the Sherrif family of Naracoorte c. 1905; an Abbot-style buggy built in 1930 by Kaesler Bros of Hahndorf; and a double buggy built by Crafters of Mount Gambier (photos by John Niedu).

Married at 60

BY SANDY WHITELAW

National Trust costume collection curator Sandy Whitelaw introduces a special wedding dress, created in 1930 for a woman who may well have thought she would never marry.

Mary McEwen chose a gown of creamy Maltese lace for her summer wedding. The first-time bride from Port Pirie was 60 years old when she married Stephen Parsons from Unley Park on 20 January 1931 at Highlands, the private Burnside residence of Mr and Mrs Laffer. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. A.W. Wellington.

Mary was a member of one of Port Pirie’s pioneer families. Her parents came out from Stirling, Scotland, in 1856 and settled in Yankalilla, where Mary was born in 1870. In 1873, the family moved to Solomontown, which is now a suburb of Port Pirie.

Mary’s father was a building contractor and her brother Will was one of the first carpenters in the town. In 1876, he successfully tendered for construction of its first Anglican church, St Pauls. This wooden building was 20 feet wide by 30 feet long and cost £200.

One of Mary’s sisters married another local tradesman, James Norton Barnsley, a master plasterer responsible for the beautiful plaster work in the Institute Hall (since demolished) when it was improved in 1907. Mary had a strong interest in the theatre and took part in the comedy play Caste when it was performed at the grand reopening.

Mary was instrumental in forming the Red Cross Society in Port Pirie during the First World War and served as secretary for many years. She was also founding secretary of the Ladies Benevolent Society, which helped needy families.

Following her death in 1953, a box of Mary’s clothes and dressmaking materials was given to her great niece, Miss Margaret Brett of Port Pirie, who died in 2007 at the age of 93. Margaret’s grandfather had been married to Isabella McEwen, one of Mary’s sisters. The box, inclusive of the wedding dress, was donated to the National Trust in 2018 by Margaret’s daughter in law, Frances Brett.

Unpacking it revealed a gown of Maltese lace in excellent condition, a matching three-quarter length jacket and a soft lace veil. The dress was machine sewn. Of a style appropriate for a woman of Mary’s age, it features a natural drop waist popular in the 1930s. Mary was a talented dressmaker but whether she made the dress for herself is unknown. Where she obtained the Maltese lace is also a mystery, however there was a strong Maltese community in Port Pirie in the early years, when employment was available at the smelters.

Mary McEwen’s wedding dress of creamy Maltese lace (photos by James Field).

CLOCKWISE: Bosco di San Francesco, Assisi (photo by Mirco Baccaille); Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate (photo by Filippo Poli); Negozio Olivetti (photo by Tristan Robert-Delrocq). Images copyright Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano.

WHERE WILL YOUR MEMBERSHIP TAKE YOU?

Unexpected Italy

The next in our series exploring what’s on offer for National Trust members travelling overseas, through reciprocal arrangements with other heritage organisations.

More than 30 special places managed by Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (the National Trust for Italy) are open to the public, providing unforgettable glimpses of unexpected Italy – from ancient monasteries and woodlands, to stunning villas and gardens, farms and industrial sites. Many of these places also offer unique tours and activities so visitors can immerse themselves in experiences that bring local culture and traditions to life. Often combining food, wine and incredible artworks, there are also opportunities that enhance understanding of the natural world, from star-gazing to the private collection of a famous Italian explorer.

Visitors to the exquisite 19th-century Villa Fogazzaro Roi on Lake Lugano can absorb its stunning location while they take watercolour painting classes in the hanging garden, watch the household butler set the dining table, or sip an aperitif by candlelight. A guided tour offers stylish transport, with guests arriving aboard an historic wooden boat.

Visitors can also travel over water to reach Villa del Balbianello on the shores of romantic Lake Como. This elegant 18thcentury mansion with magnificent gardens has hosted writers, scholars and travellers for generations, as well as famous actors and film crews shooting scenes for movies such as Casino Royale

and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Take an after-hours tour to fully appreciate the glorious setting and treasures gathered by the last owner, explorer Count Guido Monzino, who made 21 expeditions to places such as Patagonia and the Himalayas.

A different experience awaits visitors to the Monastero di Torba. A slice of the Middle Ages set in woodlands near Milan, the monastery is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site centred around an imposing tower with frescoed interiors. The Romans constructed a military outpost here to counter invasion. Then, for seven centuries, it was home to a secluded community of Benedictine nuns. Take a cycle tour to explore the surrounding countryside, or sign your children up for activities with archaeologists, anthropologists and art historians.

Nature merges with history at the Kolymbethra Garden, an orchard set in Sicily’s Valley of the Temples. Citrus trees and centuries-old olive trees thrive in this rare agricultural and archaeological jewel, which encompasses parts of ancient Akragas, a Greek city founded in the 6th century. Collect fruit from the trees during visits in February and March, and take part in an exclusive picnic of Sicilian cuisine in a reserved area of the garden.

For another classic Italian food experience, learn how to make pasta at the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate, a former Greek Orthodox monastery in the centre of a farm in Puglia. It is just one of a wide range of cultural experiences that can be enjoyed at this site, including a lunch of traditional local dishes served at the farmhouse as part of a half-day tour; a traditional dance performance; and exploring the abbey, ancient mill and bread ovens by candlelight.

In Venice, leap into the 20th century with a visit to Negozio Olivetti, a striking architectural masterpiece designed by Carlo Scarpa as a showroom for the iconic Olivetti typewriter brand. Take in the extraordinary central staircase, seemingly suspended, and visit two long galleries with displays of vintage typewriters and calculators. Sign up for a visit coupled with breakfast in the famous Piazza San Marco overlooking the Grand Canal.

Visit www.visitfai.org to plan your trip and find out more about National Trust properties open to the public in Italy, and the myriad of visitor experiences available.

Travel the World

Holding a National Trust of South Australia membership card allows you to enter sites cared for by organisations that belong to INTO (International National Trusts Organisations). Free or discounted visiting rights have been negotiated as part of a global reciprocal visiting scheme covering hundreds of locations around the world, and interstate. For a full picture of where membership can take you visit www.into.org/places

The Story of a Trail

BY ANNETTE HUMPHRIES

Every year, hundreds of people participate in the largest annual event organised by the National Trust of South Australia – the Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk, from Hahndorf to Beaumont House. Hahndorf Branch chair Annette Humphries provides a brief history.

The story of the Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk began in 1839 when Prussian Lutheran women and girls carried their produce from Hahndorf to Adelaide for sale. It was a long, arduous trek across the Mount Lofty Ranges and foothills over rough, ill-defined tracks and steep hills. Mostly in the dark! For millennia the same tracks were used by Kauna, Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk people trading and gathering for ceremony.

In 1979, the National Trust Beaumont House Committee discovered historical references to these journeys and decided to create a contemporary version. Lady Mary Downer, Elizabeth Simpson (nee Cleland) and Warren Bonython mapped a section from Eagle on the Hill to Beaumont House using old maps, reports and diaries, and the Hahndorf Branch worked out a suitable walking route from Crafers to Hahndorf, based on a map drawn in 1841 by surveyor Frederick Nixon. Major Ferguson (Australian Army Intelligence) helped clarify the geographical and topographical accuracy against current conditions, then he and branch chair John Storey transferred it to a modern map.

New map in hand, a small group from Hahndorf walked to Beaumont House in six hours. On arrival they were fed Queen Mother Cake, cucumber sandwiches and a cup of tea. They were thankful for an earlier stop at the Eagle on the Hill for a beer!

The first public walk was organised in 1980 to mark the Silver Jubilee of the National Trust. Around 150 people left Hahndorf main street on a misty autumn morning. By the time they reached Eagle on the Hill, the gathering had grown to 300.

In 1994, the route formed part of the final day of a three-month Centenary of Women’s Suffrage Trek along the Heysen Trail. Two years later, Deutsche Welle Radio and TV International featured the Pioneer Women’s Trail in a half-hour documentary on Hahndorf.

The popularity of the trail continued to grow after the Office of Sport and Recreation included the trail in its Australian network in 2001. Six years later they funded official markers from Verdun. The section from Hahndorf crossing the Onkaparinga River is not marked for safety reasons. Eventually a footbridge will give access to the trail.

The Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk event was established as an annual history month celebration in 2009, a successful collaboration between the National Trust Hahndorf Branch and South Australian Road Runners Club. Since 2015, the event has been managed by the Hahndorf and Burnside branches and National Trust State Office.

TOP: Historian Reg Butler carrying the flag on the first walk with descendants of original walkers (courtesy Hahndorf Branch National Trust).

Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk

Join one of our most popular annual events – a celebration of pioneering women and the trek they made from Hahndorf to the city to sell their produce.

Walk country roads, laneways and bush tracks through a delightful section of the Adelaide Hills, passing historic homes and deciduous trees in their autumn colours.

Enjoy stunning city views on the way to Beaumont House where food vans, live music and a beautiful garden awaits so you can unwind with your fellow walkers and newly-made friends.

For more information and to register scan the QR Code or visit: nationaltrust.org.au/event/2024pioneer-womens-walk

What's On

Start the New Year and celebrate summer, and the first weeks of autumn, by attending events being planned by the National Trust of South Australia and our branches. From discovering the fascinating stories of lighthouse keepers to taking high tea, there are plenty of activities that the whole family and even your canine companions can enjoy.

Cape Jaffa Lighthouse Tours

KINGSTON SE

Daily during school holidays

On the hour from 10am – 3pm, or by appointment

Join a tour and learn more about the fascinating history of this lighthouse and the keepers who tended it. From its commanding position on Kingston’s foreshore, take in spectacular views from the top deck.

Tickets: National Trust members free, adults $15, children (aged 5-17) $7 and under 5 free

Z Ward: Behind the Walls Tour GLENSIDE

6 and 21 January, 3 and 18 February, 10 and 23 March, 13 and 28 April from 2pm – 3.30pm

Constructed in the 1880s, Z Ward was home to South Australia’s “criminally insane” for almost 90 years. Take a tour and discover the extraordinary history of this institution. Bookings essential.

Tickets: National Trust members $12, adults $20, concession $18, children under 15 and students $12, Companion Cardholders free

For the latest event information and to book, please visit the What’s On section on our website. All event details are correct at the time of printing.

Scan the QR Code or visit: nationaltrust.org.au/sa/

Old Treasury and Tunnels Tour

ADINA TREASURY HOTEL, ADELAIDE

Sundays from 14 Jan (excluding Easter) 1pm and 3pm

Go underground and journey through winding hallways and hidden chambers to explore one of Adelaide’s oldest buildings and its forgotten stories. Meet some of the colourful characters who shaped South Australia. Bookings essential.

Tickets: Adults $20, concession $18, National Trust members $12, students and children (aged 5-15) $12, under 5 and Companion Cardholders free.

Heritage on Sunday Open Days

TEA TREE GULLY HERITAGE MUSEUM

18 February, 17 March, 21 April 11am – 4pm

Explore the former Highercombe Hotel, built in the 1850s, and now a museum surrounded by dog-friendly gardens. Venture into four display pavilions, the blacksmith’s forge, police cell and laundry. Choose a hand-made gift from the well-stocked shop.

Tickets: National Trust members free, adults $5, concession $4 and children under 16 free

Watchman House Open Days

COROMANDEL VALLEY

3 February, 2 March, 6 April 9am – noon

Explore the former home of Oliver and Sarah Winn, who built this stone cottage in about 1890, incorporating a cellar and butcher’s shop. Hear local stories about its occupants and other local landmarks, enjoy a homemade morning tea, and stock your pantry with local marmalade and honey.

Tickets: Admission free. Morning tea $5.

Beaumont House Open Days

BEAUMONT

4 February, 3 March, 7 April 2pm – 4:30pm

Enjoy a special tour of Beaumont House, originally built in 1849, and its beautiful garden, followed by refreshments served on the veranda, with views of the city and gulf. Wander through the gardens and the olive grove established c. 1860s by olive oil industry pioneer Sir Samuel Davenport.

Tickets: Open day tour (including afternoon tea) National Trust members $10, adults $15, concessions $12, children under 16 $10. Afternoon tea only, $10.

High Tea at Stangate House

STANGATE HOUSE AND GARDEN, ALDGATE

18 February, 17 March, 21 April 2pm – 5pm

Experience an unforgettable high tea in the historic surrounds of Stangate House and its award-winning Adelaide Hills garden. Perfect for a girls’ day out! Bookings essential.

Tickets: Premium high tea $59, deluxe high tea including sparkling pinot noir $79

Save the Date: Adelaide Hills Garden Affair

STANGATE HOUSE AND GARDEN, ALDGATE

5 May

Don’t miss this inaugural event, showcasing all things gardening, timed to coincided with the spectacular autumn colours of the Adelaide Hills. Learn from experts, make connections, feed your curiosity by listening to guest speakers and watching demonstrations. Buy plants from local garden clubs, plant societies and specialist nurseries.

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Your Trust

COUNCIL

President, Mr Paul Leadbeter

Vice President, Ms Millie Nicholls

James Harvey

Brett Bowden

Tully Brookes

Elaine Davies

Alice Fitch

Chris Guille

Jo-Ann Lokan

Catherine Peacock

Alison Stillwell

Di Wilkins

STATE OFFICE STAFF

Dr Stuart McNab, Chief Executive Officer

Leanne Plews, Business Manager

Victoria Pavliv, Finance Manager

Lillian Brown, Events and Member Manager

Alex Emmins, Natural Heritage Manager

James Guy, Regeneration Project Officer

Sakina Nomanbhoy, Collections Officer

Catherine Gawrysiuk, Finance and Memberships Officer

COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Audit, Finance and Governance

Cultural Heritage

Natural Heritage

Membership, Regions and Branches

NATIONAL TRUST LOCAL BRANCHES

Ardrossan, Auburn, Barmera, Beachport, Burnside, Burra, Ceduna, Central Yorke

Peninsula, Clare, Cleve, Coromandel

Valley, Gawler, Glencoe, Goolwa, Hahndorf, Jamestown, Kadina, Keith, Kingscote KI, Kingston SE, Koppio, Millicent, Minlaton, Moonta, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Naracoorte, Overland Corner, Penneshaw, Penola, Port of Adelaide, Port Elliot, Port Pirie, Renmark, Robe, Strathalbyn, Streaky

Bay, Tea Tree Gully, Tumby Bay, Victor Harbor, Waikerie, Wallaroo, Whyalla, Willunga.

PATRON IN CHIEF

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC Governor of South Australia

Become a Member of the National Trust

Our members are the lifeblood of the National Trust. We need your support more than ever. The benefits of membership include free entry and discounts to National Trust properties across Australia and around the world. We encourage you to sign up as a new member and extend your membership to support the National Trust.

Support the National Trust

Generous donations from patrons and supporters are invaluable, helping us preserve and protect South Australia's rich heritage. Join us in safeguarding our cultural legacy for future generations by donating or becoming a patron.

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Celebrating History, Embracing Sustainability

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Enjoy our wine knowing you’re supporting a greener future and a legacy of environmental stewardship.

Proudly supporting the National Trust of South Australia.

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