The history of John Martin’s
Paul Flavel
Join author Paul Flavel as he marks what would have been John Martin’s 160th year. He will share stories from his research, insights from creating his book, and reflections on the legacy of the iconic Adelaide department store. A nostalgic and engaging look back at a place many remember fondly.
Wed 6 May, 11am – 12pm
Hetzel Lecture Theatre
Institute Building, State Library of South Australia
Cnr North Tce & Kintore Ave, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Free
Stories, Stories, Stories…!
Narracoorte Homestead
Do you like hearing stories about history? Do you like sharing stories about history? The history of the beautiful Narracoorte Homestead property has been 180 years in the making — come along, share a glass of local wine, some food, and your stories and photos that will contribute to ensuring our pioneering past is fully remembered for years to come.
Tue 12 & 26 May, 6pm – 7.30pm
Narracoorte Homestead
30 McLay St, Naracoorte, SA, 5271
Tickets: $20
Government House open day
Government House
Her Excellency the Governor and Mr Bunten invite you into the public rooms of Government House to learn its history and contemporary workings and ask questions of knowledgeable guides. Explore the extensive gardens, taking in the colours of autumn, while enjoying live music, children’s quizzes, and food and drink vendors.
Sun 24 May, 10am – 2pm
Government House
North Tce, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Free
Overland to Darwin and Back
Brenton & Amanda Whittenbury and Brenton & Donna Taylor
Centenary re-enactment of Australia’s first commercial north and south motor tour. The longest in the world at the time. Attend the Rundle Street send-off of the two 100 year-old vehicles and other cars of the era. Join us two days later at the historic Beltana township for a community BBQ and screening of the original 1926 film of the tour.
Dinner & Film: Wed 20 May, 6pm – 10pm
Beltana Community Hall
11 North Tce, Beltana, SA, 5730
Tickets: Adult: $30, Child: $20
Carrick Hill by night
Carrick Hill
Built in the 1930s by Ursula and Edward Hayward, Carrick Hill is one of Australia’s most intact period mansions. Step inside after dark for a magical candlelight tour of the historic house, as rooms glow with flickering light and the atmosphere of English country living comes alive.
Fri 29 May, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
46 Carrick Hill Dr, Springfield, SA, 5062
Tickets: $30
R.M.Williams: Beyond the Boots
City of Salisbury Library Service
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Mark Muller, editor-in-chief at R.M. Williams Publishing as we honour the life and legacy of R.M.Williams, the man who stitched his way into Australian history. Discover how his iconic boots and rugged clothing shaped the spirit of the outback and became a symbol of resilience and style for generations.
Wed 27 May, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Salisbury Community Hub
34 Church St, Salisbury, SA, 5108
Free
Community weaving project
Presented by First Nations Artist Kyla McHughs and Alexandrina Libraries
Learn basic weaving techniques with First Nations Artist Kyla McHughs. Participants have the option to attend one or more of the sessions on offer and the pieces produced will be joined together to form one sculptural piece of an animal from our region. The finished piece will be displayed in the Goolwa Haven/Library.
Every Fri in May, 11am – 12.30pm
Goolwa Library
11 Cadell St, Goolwa, SA, 5214
Free: Bookings required
Starry starry skies: meet the history maker Chris Tugwell
Cambrai School Community Library & Cambrai Museum
Meet Chris Tugwell, history maker and founder of the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve. Gather at Meldanda to hear the science and story behind protecting the night sky, sit by the campfire, and experience the brilliance of the stars. Part of Cambrai’s History Festival. BBQ dinner and mobile phone astrophotography. Sunset approx. 5.30pm.
Wed 13 May, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Meldanda
106 Bundilla Rd, Cambrai, SA, 5353
Bookings required
The Laucke family: an Australian success story
Wend/Sorb Society of SA
Friedrich Laucke came from the Wendish area of Germany to South Australia in 1895 and soon got involved in the flour milling industry. Expansion by later generations made the Laucke product a respected name in Australia. His son Condor also made great contributions to parliament and government. Mark Laucke and Janet O’Brien tell their family’s story.
Sun 24 May, 2pm – 3.30pm
Glynde Lutheran Homes Hall
22 Avenue Rd, Glynde, SA, 5070
Free
From generation to generation: the Ditters gourmet cake story
Ditters Nuts
Discover the story behind the Ditters Gourmet Cake, created in 1967 and passed down through four generations. Learn how this cherished South Australian Christmas tradition took shape, drawing generations of home bakers to Ditters for fruit and nut ingredients, and why thousands of cakes are still enjoyed each year. Complimentary tasting included.
Every Mon – Sat in May
11.30am – 11.50am & 3.30pm – 3.50pm
Ditters Nuts
Shop 22 Adelaide Arcade
112–117 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Free: Bookings required
SA Kitsch: the strange stuff that makes us great
Pink Shorts Press in collaboration with Frida Las Vegas
Shake off the cultural cringe and join queen of kitsch Stavroula Adameitis – aka Frida Las Vegas – for a nostalgic walk down memory lane in Adelaide Arcade. This lo-fi presentation celebrates the specifics of our history, from far-out food to objectionable objects, inspired by her forthcoming book Australianarama (Pink Shorts Press).
Thurs 21 May, 6pm – 7.30pm
Adelaide Arcade Mezzanine Landing
112–118 Grenfell St, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Tickets: $10
Stories within these walls: the Lubasch overland farmstead
Hahndorf Archives
Step inside the original fachwerk barn (built by Fährmann) for the Lubasch family and experience their story through an audiovisual presentation. Discover Lubasch’s service under Napoleon, his role at Waterloo, his daughters’ lives as Hahndorf shearers, and his death in 1856 in what is now the home of the Hahndorf Archives.
Wed 13 & 27 May, 10.30am – 12pm
Beerenberg Farm
2106 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf, SA, 5245
Bookings required
Discover the full program: festival.history.sa.gov.au
