History & heritage

Ahead of its complete restoration, an event will be held on Saturday, 11 October to acknowledge the move of the Nobby Gaol to its new site in the centre of town ... Over the past six years, Rudd’s Pub owners Evan and Gayle Jones with the help of the community have been on a mission to move and restore the gaol.

David Cliff. Denmark Classic Boat Show on Sunday was a big community success with locals and visitors enjoying the boat displays and the on-water activities despite the showers. Denmark Rowers volunteers pulled off their third biennial Classic Boat Show with a laid-back atmosphere that offered something for boating enthusiasts and the community.

John Williams. During the Battle of Britain Luftwaffe pilot Heinz Grabow was shot down on 5 September 1940, making a good forced landing near Wichling, Kent ... Grabow’s damaged Messerschmitt 109 (Yellow7) was to become a story in itself, transported to Australia as a "prize" to be put on show at various locations including Nhill where it was exhibited on the 4th of August 1941 in the Williams Garage next to the theatre.

Maldon Heritage Network has found a new home for the horse trough that sat for many years in front of what is now the hardware shop ... trough is marked 'Donated by Annis & George Bills Australia' which means it has an interesting history. The Bills were successful in business in the late 1800s and ahead of their time as compassionate campaigners for animal rights.

On Saturday 20 September 2025 a special event occurred. To celebrate 140 years of Freemasonry in Nhill, The Lowan Lodge 107 reenacted the consecration of the cornerstone of the Nhill Post Office. The program followed the 29 October 1887 event with a march to the Post Office by all local Freemasons.

100 years of worship in the Nhill Uniting Church was celebrated in style ... People travelled from across the State, and interstate, to enjoy a morning of music, messages and memorabilia.

An important part of Spencer Gulf’s maritime heritage may be lost with the sinking of the Mary-Ann Simms in Port Lincoln. The vessel went down at Snook’s Landing on the weekend of September 6 and 7, possibly due to earlier hull damage from a barge collision and the theft of solar panels that powered its automatic bilge pump.

Over a million people have experienced the wonder of the national collection closer to home since it launched in 2023, and now it’s Mudgee’s turn. A collection of works by some of the 20th century’s most notable artists will travel to Mudgee Arts Precinct as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program. 

Renowned Australian comedian and actor, Damian Callinan returns to the Gannawarra next month as part of his tour celebrating the iconic community icon – the town hall. As part of his Hall Stories tour, the creator of the hit Netflix movie, The Merger will celebrate the importance of the Lake Charm and Murrabit halls with each community during two shows supported by Gannawarra Shire Council.

Two blokes sit on the porch, each cradling a stubby of beer as the sun goes down, talking about times gone by. John Cousins and Frank Fletcher live close to each other out near Pagans Flat. “We were talking about graves,” John said. Frank is 89 years old and lives at Ewingar. He has been pushing to preserve Peter Pagan’s grave at a property on Pagans Flat Road.

The 19th NHMA National Machinery Rally, Australia’s largest display of working heritage equipment, and the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event took place at Kingsthorpe last week.

The next Nhill Book Fair will be held on September 7, from 10-2 at 44 Victoria St (next to Lowana), in conjunction with the second birthday celebrations at LOL next door. At this book fair there will be a large selection of Walkabout magazines available.

On Monday, 8 September at 11.30am, a special ceremony will be held at the Port Lincoln War Memorial in Eyre Park to plant a Fig Tree of Tobruk—a living symbol of remembrance and resilience that not only honours the legacy of Australian soldiers who served in the Siege of Tobruk during World War II, but also commemorates the enduring significance of the tree itself, which once offered shelter and solace to troops in the harsh desert conditions of Libya.

Alex Nelson. This week marks the 34th anniversary of the official opening of the Commonwealth's Jock Nelson Centre in August 1991. This is the splendid Commonwealth building I suggested ought to be re-purposed as the permanent home of the Museum of Central Australia during my presentation at the Friends of the Strehlow Research Centre Symposium in April 2018.

Wendy Watts. On Sunday August 17th the Nullawil Historical Society celebrated my 100-year anniversary. “Auchmore 1925-2025” ... As the centrepiece of the Nullawil Heritage Centre, some refer to me as the “Grand Old Lady”.

Joy Cassidy presented a touching talk as guest speaker at Cohuna RSL ... Joy spoke of her Aunt, Rosetta Joan Wight who was one of the 21 nurses massacred by the Japanese in WW2 after their surrender at Radji Beach, Bangka Island.

A philanthropic gift to Toowoomba's Cobb+Co Museum has helped bring to life a new exhibition honouring the craftsmanship, legacy, and future of saddlery. Garth and Sandra Delbridge alongside The Saddlery exhibition at Cobb+Co Museum.

The world record of a 50-horse hitch set 30 years ago will be broken in Australia at the 2025 Good Old Days Festival at Barellan by the greatest horse teamsters of the modern-day era. Bruce Bandy, Barellan, Steve Johnson, Lake Cargelligo, and Aleks Berzins, Exeter, will combine their Clydesdale, Australian Draught and Suffolk Punch horses to create a mega team of more than 50 horses pulling an historic Bennett wagon ...

Lara Leahy. The first in a series of public lectures at Evans Head Living Museum kicked off with the Marjory Henderson Lecture on Wednesday, August 20. Marjory died aged 64. Five of her nine children were at the museum for the lecture. Three of them – Scott, Andrew and Margaret shared their stories.

The World Heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta is on track, with hopes of achieving recognition by July 2029. UK-based world heritage consultant Barry Gamble visited Moonta Mines last week and gave an update on the bid to National Trust of South Australia Moonta branch volunteers at the Moonta School of Mines.

Victoria’s High Country comes alive again this spring for the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria’s Annual Get Together. Held in Molyullah from October 17 to 19, 2025, this vibrant three-day festival is a spectacular celebration of heritage, horsemanship, and high country spirit.

A small and dedicated crowd attended a ceremony at Maldon Cenotaph on Monday 18 August to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day, which takes place on the anniversary of the 1966 Battle of Long Tan ... Around 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1973, of which over 500 died and thousands were injured.