Mt Barker Local History Centre in Mount Barker, South Australia | Community organisation

Mt Barker Local History Centre

Locality: Mount Barker, South Australia

Phone: 83936474

Address: 5 Dumas Street 5251 Mount Barker, SA, Australia

Website: http://localhistory.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

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• History Museum
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25.01.2022 W. Salman & Co. Perseverance Ironworks of Mount Barker was founded in 1893 by William Salman. The company manufactured all kinds of agricultural implements and machinery. William Salman was a native of Birmingham, England and arrived in South Australia in 1876. He had served 12 years at Richard Hornsby and Sons’ engine and machine manufacturers in Grantham, England and not long after his arrival in South Australia he secured employment with J.G. Ramsay & Co. of Mount Barker.... He was associated with this well -known firm for seventeen years until it ceased operations. Mr. Salman decided to launch his own business and he established the Perseverance Ironworks in partnership with his son Mr. W. H. Salman. In 1913 a daring burglary occurred in the early hours of an October Sunday morning. Salman’s foundry and the Courier Newspaper’s office both had their safe doors blown off. Chaff bags, coats, rugs and wet sand were used to deaden the explosive sounds that were heard at 1.00 am and 3.00 am. The burglars made their escape across the creek to a waiting car that was heard driving off at 4.00am. Detectives investigating the crime came to the conclusion that the burglaries were the work of a well-known gang of city cracksmen. Sources: Photograph: PH-V3-00046 Mt Barker: Workers outside W. Cornelius wheel-wright and coach builders, with small sign W. Salman & Co. Date unknown. MTB-IN-00004 VF Mt Barker: Salman & Co, Coachbuilders. Courier Newspaper 24 October 1913 p2 https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

24.01.2022 Events moved rapidly for local soldiers after landing in Turkey in 1915. It was soon learned back at home that the soldiers had been engaged in a fierce conflict on the 25th April. An anxious wait began, as each edition of the daily newspapers were scanned for the name of a relative, friend or acquaintance, in case it should appear there. It was not until the 22nd May 1915 that the reality of war was brought closer to home. On this day, Mounted-Constable Birt stationed at ...Mount Barker received a telegram containing the sad news of the death of Corporal William Albert Fry from wounds received in action at Gallipoli. The Reverends W. J Walker and T. J. Riddle undertook the duty of informing the relatives of their loss. William Albert Fry enlisted on the 14th August 1914 and departed Australia on the 19th October 1914. Prior to his enrolment William had been an apprentice printer to Charles Dumas at the Courier Newspaper for five years. From early 1915, William became the Chief Assistant in the production of the regimental daily paper with Private J.W.A. Bradford as the acting editor. They had both attended the Mount Barker High School together and learned their printing and editorial skills working at the Courier Newspaper before going their separate ways only to meet up again in Egypt. Corporal William Albert Fry was only 23 years old when he died. The Local History Centre will be closed on Monday 26th April. Sources: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Mount Barker Soldiers’ Memorial by The Local History Centre A 940.3942332 MOU LH

24.01.2022 Basketball matches between first year students from Mount Barker High School and Unley High School took place in 1922. In the photograph are the girl’s team from Mount Barker High School. Most of the local girls being new to the game were not an equal match to the more experienced city girls and the match resulted in a win for Unley 26 goals to 6. In the return match a few months later, Mount Barker High School were a lot stronger and drew 8 8 with Unley High School. Th...e Mount Barker High School ‘Goal throwers’ were Ena Stephens and Carrie Gribble and the ‘Best Players’ on the day were Laurel Hender, Eileen Gribble, Ena Stephens and Gwen Stephenson. Sources: Photograph: Call Number: PH-V3-00085 Mt Barker: High School Basketball team. Date: 1922 Identified team members are Caroline (Carrie) Gribble first girl on the left standing and her twin sister Eileen Gribble kneeling holding the ball. The Courier Newspaper 2/6/1922 and 5/9/1922 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au

23.01.2022 The grandstand at Dunn Park was officially opened in April 1892 with over 2,000 people in attendance. The celebration began in Gawler Street with a procession of school children and brass bands who made their way down to Dunn Park where Mr. and Mrs. John Dunn arrived immediately after. They were both greeted with three cheers by the waiting crowd. Mrs. Dunn and her relatives took up seats in the newly erected grandstand and the remaining seats were taken up by the public,... who were eager to have a good vantage point to witness the handing over of Dunn Park by Mr. John Dunn to the Mount Barker District Council. The grandstand lasted 73 years before it was demolished due to the wooden uprights being rotten at ground level. The brickwork which formed the building were still in good condition. It was thought that the brickwork was made at Littlehampton by the Coppin family. Sources: Photographs: B 70245/65 Courtesy of the State Library of SA A football match on Dunn Oval, Cameron Road, Mount Barker. Mount Barker are wearing stripes. Courier Newspaper 11 August 1965: Working bee of volunteers demolishing the Dunn Park grandstand. Courier Newspaper 8 April 1892

20.01.2022 Friday will see the end of school for another year. These Echunga Primary School students were only too delighted to see their classrooms for the last time in 1977 as they jumped and cheered their way home out of the schoolyard. Source: ... Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au Photograph: Call Number: PH-V69-000107 Courier Newspaper 20 December 1977

20.01.2022 Remembrance Day At 11 o’clock on the 11th of November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. Lest We Forget... For those brave who gave their lives so we could live ours.

18.01.2022 These are some of the early pioneers of Hahndorf Messrs. W. Theile, C. Liebelt, C. Jaensch, Van der Molen, T. Jaensch and C. Altmann. Their photograph appeared in the ‘Hahndorf Centenary Celebrations’ program in 1939. On January 25th 1839 Captain Hahn, commander of the ‘Zebra’ made and agreement at the foot of Mount Barker with Messrs. Dutton, Finnis and Metcalfe to lease 150 acres to the immigrants from the ‘Zebra’. By March 1839 the pioneers founded a settlement and to ...honour the Captain’s untiring efforts on their behalf they named it Hahndorf. Source: Hahndorf: Centenary Celebrations, Jan 25-28 1939. Program. Call Number: MTB-GI-00004/21 Date: 1939 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

16.01.2022 CALL OF COUNTRY DISPLAY **Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that the following post contains images of persons who have passed**. Indigenous woman Lee Gilbert was pleasantly surprised to walk into the library and see a relative featured in the 'Call of Country' display on loan from History Trust of South Australia from Monday 9 November 2020 until Friday 20 November 2020.... Albert Bernard 'Uncle Barney' Clothier was her father's older brother. He was a sergeant in the Australian army and served in New Guinea during WWII, Japan in 1948 and Korea in 1950. Lee has fond memories of meeting her cousins when Uncle Barney came to visit when she was a young child. "We are very proud that Uncle Barney and many other Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders have been honoured and recognised in this display." This display represents the thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who responded to the Call of Country over the past century. Despite discrimination in everyday life and in national enlistment policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people volunteered and served in all conflicts in which Australia has been involved. The service of the ten people in this display extends from the First World War to Afghanistan and the display includes replicas of medals awarded to them.

15.01.2022 The most popular sport in the early days was the rifle shoot. The Hahndorf Rifle Club was founded in 1864 and the annual Kingship event held in December attracted renowned shooters from many far distant clubs. Each year the new ‘king added one more medal to the collection of medals of former kingships onto the apron. In 2012 the valuable kingship apron went on loan from the Hahndorf Rifle Club Inc. and made an appearance in a special State exhibition of Bounty: Nineteenth...-century SA Gold and Silver at the Art Gallery SA. Sources: Photographs: PH-V19-00017 Hahndorf Kingship march. Date: 1939 PH-V19-00018 Hahndorf Kingship, Vic Spoehr. Date: 1939 The Courier Newspaper 4/07/2012 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

13.01.2022 Mt Barker district farmers were prominent exhibitors in the agricultural produce section of the Adelaide Autumn Show in March 1920. The Mt Barker branch of the Agricultural Bureau gained first prize for their fine collection of the valuable products of the district comprising of no fewer than 440 items, that were all indicative of the remarkable fertility of the district and the resourcefulness of the producers. The whole of the collection was gathered from farmers within a ...radius of 37 km of Mt Barker and comprised of leather goods from Messrs. Paltridge and Sons, Onkaparinga tweeds, Littlehampton Bricks, Blakiston and Woodside cheeses, preserved fruits, jams, wines, olive oil, bacon, hams, butter, wool and vegetables. The bureau members threw their heart and soul into the collecting of the 440 exhibits, trucking them to town and erecting a winning display. Sources: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Mt Barker Courier Newspaper 12 March 1920

13.01.2022 An aerial view of the township of Mount Barker set amidst peaceful pastures. This photograph was the centerfold of The Cream Bowl brochure that was produced in the 1960’s. Can you spot the landmarks? Most buildings remain but some are long gone.... Source: Mt Barker: Cream Bowl brochure. Date: c1960’s Call Number: MTB-GI-00001/15 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

13.01.2022 The first petrol bowser at A. N. Colebatch’s General Store in Echunga was installed in 1925. It is believed that in this photograph it is A. N. Colebatch stood on the top of the Shell Company petrol tanker with his wife, daughter Edith and the tanker’s driver. For 31 years the Colebatch name was over the Echunga General Store until 1937 when David Bell & Co purchased the store. The first Colebatch to run the store was J.P Colebatch who ran the store for 17 years, followed by... A.N. Colebatch for a period of 11 years and William G. Colebatch, the last owner for a period of 3 years. The previous owners were Justice of the Peace who were men with a public interest in the town only too willing to better the district. Source: Photograph: B 74632 Courtesy of the State Library of South Australia Mount Barker Courier Newspaper 8 July 1937 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

13.01.2022 It was reminiscent of a by gone age when 134 milking cows were herded along Gawler Street Mt Barker on their way to Messrs. Bennett and Fisher saleyards in 1974. The Friesien and Jersey milking cows belonged to Messrs. R and M.H. Shillabeer of Clearfields, located about 2.5 km’s from Mt Barker on Bald Hills Road. With a police escort and ten drovers on foot the herd travelled without incident along Springs Road, over the railway line, past Jacobs’ Meat and Butter factories..., up Gawler Street and turned right at the intersection onto Cameron Road where they entered and filled the entire saleyard. Bennett and Fisher purchased the auctioneering business from Mr. H.A. Monks in 1910. Many dairy farms were situated in close proximity to Mount Barker and years ago it was not an unusual sight to see a herd of cattle being driven along the road to Bennett and Fisher’s saleyards in Gawler Street. After 69 years of trading the saleyards took their last bid and closed in 1979. The location is still known as the ‘Saleyards’. Sources: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Courier Newspaper 29/05/1974

11.01.2022 Ecclesburn (later known as Cherrington) was a two story house that was located off Hawthorn Road in Mount Barker. The house was originally built as a homestead for William Tonkin on his 80-acre farm and was later sold to Mr. Teakle. The house is no longer there. The area in the vicinity of Hill Street, Cherrington Street, Hawthorn Road and Adelaide Road all the way to Dunn’s Run (where the freeway now sits) was referred to as Teakletown. Source:... Photograph: Call Number: PH-V2-00071 Description: Mt Barker: 'Cherrington'. Date unknown. Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

10.01.2022 Over a 1,000 people packed the Showgrounds pavilion in Mount Barker on Saturday night, 17 December 1949, when Sgt. Alec Cecil Collins representing the C.W.A. was crowned ‘King of the Ugly Men of Mount Barker’. The successful end of the day had commenced earlier with a colourful procession of floats along Gawler Street. The ‘Ugly Man’ competition was a fundraiser for the repair and renovation of the Institute on Gawler Street. There were five competitors representing the C....W.A., the Fire Brigade, R.S.L., the Football Club and the Wattle Club. The five representatives were required to be able to raise vast sums of money by means of stalls, dances and functions and the residents of the District cast their votes as to who would be crowned the ‘King of the Ugly Men’. There were a total of 364,130 votes cast and Sgt. Collins received 106,659 votes from his loyal band of supporters. The total amount raised by all competitors was 1,440 which today would be approximately $ 82 k. Sources: Photographs: PH-V40-00006: Mt Barker: Final concert for the Ugly Man Competition in the Showgrounds Pavilion hall. Date: 1949 Mt Barker Courier Newspaper 22 December 1949 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

10.01.2022 A remarkable high jump record for Australia was achieved in 1905 by a horse named Silverthorn, owned by Mr Robert Barr Smith. Intending to send Silverthorn to Adelaide one day, Mr Kelly, the coachman at Auchendarroch, went to the paddock at the back of Auchendarroch where Silverthorn was grazing. However, Silverthorn had other ideas when he saw Mr Kelly. Standing at 16.1 hands high, the 12-year-old roan horse went for a frolic jumping over several fences one after the oth...er making his way out of Auchendarroch. Eventually, Silverthorn was run into the pound yards that had fences over 2 meters high and the would be captors thought that they had him, only for Silverthorn to walk calmly to the high fence and clear it with one attempt. Silverthorn returned to Auchendarroch the same way that he had escaped. In his younger years, Silverthorn had been a fair performer being the winner of the Hunt Club Cup in 1898, second in the Drag Cup in the same year, winning a 3 mile steeplechase at one of the S.A.J.C meetings and competed in the steeplechase course at Oakbank in 1899 as a six year old. In 1907, Silverthorn’s picture appeared in the Courier Newspaper, stood next to the carefully measured pound yard fence that was found to be 2.18 meters high. Mr Robert Barr Smith is stood to the right of Silverthorn in the picture. Source: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Mt Barker Courier 15 March 1907

09.01.2022 The State’s recent lockdown has been a perfect time to blow away the cobwebs and take a peek inside those long forgotten boxes and have a good sort out. Therese from Christies Beach did just this and found this wonderful Mount Barker Red Cross Cookery Book published in 1945 that she has kindly donated to the Local History Centre. There were 500 copies printed as a fund raiser for the Miss Red Cross Competition and the cookery books were so popular they sold out in less t...han a week. The booklet is jam packed with 150 recipe’s contributed by local people. Have you come across any historical gems during your clear outs recently? Source: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Mt Barker: Red Cross Cookery Book second edition Date: 1945 Call Number: MTB-RC-00001

08.01.2022 Cricket has been played in Wistow since the late nineteenth century and for a number of years the team players were generations of family and friends from the area. The cricket ground is located on Wellington Road near the Wistow Church. Here are the Wistow A-Grade team who took part in the Hills Cricket Association Premiers in 1974. You may recognize the local family names. Back Row: T. Thring, I. Blight, B. Nettle, T. Blight, R. Lores, J. Thring. Front Row: L. Bilney, S. ...Paech, W. Klaebsch, L. Paech, A. Paterson, K. Nettle. Source: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Photograph: PH-V7-00142 Wistow and Bugle Ranges: a community history A 994.232 BEL LH

08.01.2022 In 1936 the Commonwealth Government placed an order with Britain for the delivery of 33 Avro Anson’s to guard the coastline of Australia during the Second World War. The Avro Anson Bombers were capable of long distance travel with a range of 1,315 km’s, a cruising speed of 256 km/h and a maximum speed of 302 km/h. Bombs were released by a man lying prone in the long nose of the twin-engine machine where a machine gun was also located. The gunner had uninterrupted views fro...m the domed machine gun turret on the fuselage and was able to fire in any direction. Source: Photograph: PH-V3-00084 Crowds gathered to view the new R.A.A.F. Avro Anson Bomber on display at Parafield in 1937. Local History Centre https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

07.01.2022 The performance of the ‘Wedding of the painted doll’ was a popular musical inclusion during school fund raising concerts throughout the Hills schools in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. The ‘Wedding of the painted doll’ was one of the musical numbers in the first sound film ‘The Broadway Melody’ that won an Academy Award for Best Picture. Source:... Photograph: Call Number: PH-D-V3-00008 Littlehampton: The ‘Wedding of the Painted Dolls’. Names supplied are: Isobel Scott (mother of the bride), Bill Saxon (bridegroom), Alfie Fisher (preacher), Lola Shepherd (bride), Lorna Nitschke (bridesmaid), Beryl Pearson (bridesmaid).

07.01.2022 The corner of Albert Place and Hutchinson Street in Mount Barker (where Dan Murphy’s is now) looked a lot different in 1943, with a cow in the paddock. Mr. Heinrich bought several allotments on Albert Place during the 1930’s, where he established the notable business of Heinrich’s General Store. The General Store had an assortment of stock for sale that included fresh fruit and vegetables with a daily home delivery service. Heinrich’s General Store also held one of the ...few storekeepers' licence that were issued at the time to be able to sell Australian wines. Sources: Local History database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au Photographs: Courtesy of Ronda Jaensch

07.01.2022 The Kanmantoo General Store and Post Office was owned by Bob West and his wife Ethel during the 1930’s. While Bob ran his trucking business delivering cut wood and goods, Ethel was in charge of running the store and Post Office. Bob West fought in both World Wars. Not long after enlisting in 1915 Bob rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant. During the 1st World War Bob was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatches for ‘distinguished and gallant services and devotion t...o duty’. In 1940 Bob enlisted again in the army for the 2nd World War and he was promoted to the rank of Major during the war. Source: Call Number: VF KAN-HI-00003 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au

06.01.2022 ‘Happy 140th Anniversary’ to the Mount Barker Courier newspaper. Charles Morris Russel Dumas, as the editor and proprietor, established the Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumercha Advertiser on the 1st October 1880. Charles Dumas began his apprenticeship in 1861 as a printer with Alfred Waddy in Mount Barker where he learnt the mysteries of the art of printing and in 1863 he was apprenticed to another printer, Abraham Myers for seven years (less two years already... spent with Alfred Waddy). Charles Dumas held many public offices throughout his life. He was appointed the chairman of the Oddfellows Lodge in 1872, became a member of the Onkaparinga Racing Club, where he held a unique record having never missed a meeting on that course. In 1889 he was elected to Parliament and represented the district until his retirement in 1902, in 1910 he occupied the presidential chair of the Mount Barker Institute and in 1915 he was elected as the President of the South Australian Provincial Press Association. After his death in 1935 the family tried to carry on the business but they ran into difficulties and sold it to Mr. T. Monger in 1938. The Courier Newspaper is an invaluable source of information for genealogists and the Local History Centre holds all the copies of the Courier Newspaper from the first edition in 1880 to the current date. Sources: Photograph: Call Number: PH-V2-00043 Mt Barker: Courier Newspaper and General Printing Office building at 71 Gawler Street with Charles Dumas (wearing a top hat) and staff. c1910. Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/ Mount Barker Courier 01/10/1980

05.01.2022 A large crowd of Littlehampton residents gathered outside the Peace Memorial Hall on the evening of the 15th August 1923 for the switching on ceremony of the electric light scheme. Mr. A Coppin, as the oldest resident had the honour of switching the street lights on at 8 o’clock and Mr. Alan Cleggett, as president of the Institute was asked to turn on the Peace Memorial Hall lights. The proceedings were enlivened by the Hills Brass Band followed by a supper and dancing in... the hall. Nearly one hundred years later the overhead power lines and stobie poles on the Main Road in Littlehampton will be removed in the coming week and switched over to the newly constructed underground network. Source: Mt Barker Courier Newspaper 10 August 1923 Photograph: PH-D-V1-00321 Littlehampton: Main Street looking East. Date: Unknown Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

05.01.2022 Check out this wonderful ABC children's series 'Are you tougher than your ancestors'. Filmed in Hahndorf, this particular episode deals with the early settlers who walked from Hahndorf to Adelaide with their farm produce. Catch it on ABC iView.

04.01.2022 The Second World War officially ended on the 15th August 1945. A large crowd gathered on Gawler Street in Mount Barker where sirens, whistles and bells sounded at nine o’clock in the morning when the official intelligence was received over the air that Japan’s acceptance of the peace condition had come to hand - after almost six years of war. The Mount Barker Institute was later filled by the crowd for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance. ... Sources: Photographs: Call Number: PH-V18-00006 Mt Barker: Gawler Street end of the war celebration, large crowd including, Roy O'Loughlin, Wilf Crompton and his mother, R. England, K. Smith, F. Smith, Beryl Penny, Mrs. Lohmeyer, Joy Lohmeyer, Basil Pope, Roma Davis, Anna Schroeder, Alma Heinjus and Arthur Zilm. Date: 1945 Call Number: PH-V18-00008 Mt Barker: Institute Thanksgiving Service at the end of the war. Date: 1945 Mount Barker Courier Newspaper 16 August 1945 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

04.01.2022 The Local History Centre will be closed for Easter from Friday 2nd April and will reopen on Tuesday, 6th April. This is a photograph of some of the churches and religious buildings in and around the Mount Barker district from our collection. From top left is Christ Church and Rectory, Dunn Memorial Methodist Church, St James Church Blakiston and bottom left is the Baptist Church (now the Pulpit Cellars), St Francis de Sales presbytery and the Presbyterian Church.

03.01.2022 What a find! This little toy cast iron bank with the words US Navy Bank was dug up in the back yard of the old Kanmantoo Store. It was made by Arcade Manufacturing Company, Freeport, Illinois U.S.A. in 1902. In a new condition the toy safe would have had a key for locking the safe with a combination dial on the front for display.... Source: http://www.safebankcollector.com/ Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

03.01.2022 The Mount Barker Emergency Fire Service took out the State title at the E.F.S. Championships held at the Adelaide Show in 1975. The main event was the Government Cup that was won by the Mount Barker crew in 87.3 seconds. The trophy was awarded to the team with the best times recorded in the pump and dry hose drill event. It was the fourth time in eleven years that Mount Barker E.F.S won the trophy and they went on to win the trophy again the following year. ... The winning crew in 1975 were Leon Shillabeer (Captain), Kevin Stephenson, John Hurling, Howard Raison and Alan Nitschke. Source: Photograph: PH-V14-00059 Mt Barker: EFS crew. From left: A. Nitschke, H. Raison, L. Shillabeer, K. Stephenson and J. Hurling. Date: 1975 Courier Newspaper 10/09/1975 Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

03.01.2022 The Local History Centre will be closed from 12.30pm Thursday 24th December until 9am Monday 4th January 2021. During the closure period we will be taking a break from Facebook. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.... Source: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au Photograph: Call Number: PH-V32-00053 Macclesfield: Father Christmas waves to a youngster in the main street. 1988

02.01.2022 ‘That’s entertainment’. The Marantz Hi Fi entertainment system housed in a stylish cabinet (of the time) was described as the ‘system of the future’ in 1986. The ultimate Marantz Gold package was on sale at Mt Barker Retravision for a cool $6999. The system included a stereo colour TV with a full-function remote control and teletext (with a 20-page memory), VHS video player, AM and FM digital tuner, Dolby B and C cassette deck, fully automatic direct drive turn table and a... digital CD player. How things have changed since the ‘80’s. Source: Photograph: PH-V66-00117 Mt Barker: The Marantz home entertainment system. 1986 Courier Newspaper 26 February 1986

01.01.2022 Discussions were underway in 1982 for the need of a fire brigade in the growing town of Littlehampton. When Ash Wednesday hit in February 1983, immediate action was undertaken and in July 1983, a second hand fire unit was purchased from the McLaren Vale C.F.S. The fire unit was housed in a local farm shed but this caused many inconveniences. Mr Keith Nitschke, the Brigades first president offered a piece of land on the Main Road for development and with the knowledge, s...kills and experience within the Brigade that included three developers, three licensed builders, a design draughtsman, four carpenters, volunteers, numerous other tradesmen and financial support from the Mt Barker Rotary Club plans were drawn up for a new building. The Ron Childs Memorial Fire Station was officially opened in 1984 and is dedicated in memory of the late Ron Childs who died as a result of injuries sustained while fighting the Ash Wednesday bush-fires. Source: Local History Database https://localhistory.mountbarker.sa.gov.au Courier Newspaper 17 October 1984