News & Events

“A Home in the Hills – The Woodside Migration Centre 1949-1963”

Mt Lofty Districts Historical Society Inc.

Friday 18th October, 7.00pm for 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Coventry Library Stirling, SA

Highlight Presentation

“A Home in the Hills – The Woodside Migration Centre 1949-1963”

by Migration History Specialist, Dr Karen Agutter

Dear Members

As our very flowery September Program comes to an end, we are delighted to announce the forthcoming presentation by Migration Specialist, Dr Karen Agutter. On Friday evening 18th October at the Coventry Library Stirling.  Her topic is drawn from many years of research covering, in particular, the period following the Second World War. Dr Agutter will expand upon the experiences of migrants who began their new lives in South Australia at the Woodside Migration Centre between 1949 and 1963.

To accompany this presentation we are gathering objects, documents, books and photographs which illustrate the migration pathways of people who have moved into South Australia from across the wider world. We will also be engaging with our local residents to gain greater understanding of their mobility patterns over more recent times. These materials will be sourced and prepared over the next weeks.

If you have items – photographs, diaries, objects which you have brought from your homeland or stories which you would like to tell – we will be delighted to include them in our secure  display cases.  Meanwhile, if you have not had time to explore the amazing collection of items which illustrate the myriad of ways in which flowers inspire us, our ‘September is all about Flowers” displays will remain in place for the rest of this week. Make haste, it is well worth a visit.

Then we move on to our very important and enlightening topic – “October is all about Migration”, highlighted by the presentation by Dr Karen Agutter on Friday evening, 18th October at the Coventry Library Stirling. If you have information or objects which will illustrate your migration stories please contact me – Dr Ann Herraman, 0419 816 490.

With thanks for your ongoing support for our activities and our ever-expanding research and presentation program.

Kind regards Ann Herraman

Dr Ann Herraman, President, MLDHS, 0419 816 490

The inaugural “Frank Hurren Memorial Fireside Chat”

Members are invited to Stangate House for another of our popular fireside chats, now for the first time, dedicated to the memory of the iconic Frank Hurren; the very first of what we know will continue as one of our highlights for the year.

Guests Tony and Miranda Hurren will speak about their family home “Narrinyeri”.

RSVP essential

“Gateways” – our exciting new project

Our “Gateways” project was launched during the Society’s 40th birthday celebrations on 20th May.

We are pleased to announce that with the assistance of an Adelaide Hills Council grant we have introduced this new website with an increased focus on interacting with our community and providing “gateways” which encourage and invite your contributions to our archives.

We have also purchased new digital audio recording equipment to re-invigorate our oral history collection. Any members or potential members who would like to train as interviewers for this important project are invited to contact the Society.

Sir Edward Charles Stirling – an illustrated talk, 100 years after his death

Sir Edward Stirling – surgeon, scientist and politician – recalling the man who died 100 years ago on 24th May

An illustrated talk by Dr Joy O’Hazy about one of Stirling’s early residents and member of the family after whom our town was named.

24th May at the Coventry Library

Details on the attached flyer