People of West Torrens

Every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, please advise of any errors or omissions.

Kaurna First Nations People

• Kaurna Country  - City of Charles Sturt collaboration with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Welcome to Kaurna Country film

• Warraparna Kaurna! Reclaiming an Australian language  - University of Adelaide / Rob Amery ebook

• Kaurna Meyunna Cultural Mapping - A peoples living cultural landscape / City of Charles Sturt - Karl Winda Telfer and Gavin Malone with assistance from Matthew Osborne and Tom Gara, 2012

• Nganu and Tjilbruke a tale of two Heros - a short video story developed by Monash University through partnership between Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi Aboriginal Corporation and South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, in consultation with Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien. 

Identities of West Torrens

• ALLCHURCH, Henry (1859-1943) Kurralta Park subdivision; Allchurch Avenue; Edward Allchurch (1828-1917)

• ALLEN OAM, Cordelia 'Cordie' May (1922-2004) Community Services, Thebarton Women's Service Association

• ALLUM, Mahomet (c1858-1964) Herbalist, Naturopath, Faith Healer  - based at Everard Park but had many clients in the West Torrens area

• AUNGER, Horace Hooper Murray (1878-1953)  Main Street Lockleys ; Henley Beach Road Underdale; Motor engineer  and overland explorer with George Gilmore White and Captain S.A. White

• BAGOT, Edward Meade 'Ned' (1822-1886)  Pioneer pastoralist, stock agent, mining entrepreneur, thoroughbred horse racing and breeding; South Australian Jockey Club; 'Boiling-down works' Hilton

• BATCHELOR, Egerton Lee (1865-1911) Keswick, United Labor Party

• BAYLISS, Kerry Ann (1962-) later Lindsay, Olympic Gymnast Moscow 1980

• BEARE, Thomas Hudson (1792-1861) Netley Farm

• BEDFORD, William Francis Edward 'Ted' (1861-1934) Auctioneer, Barker Brothers Horse Bazaar

• BICKFORD, William (1815-1850)  Bickford Street, Richmond

• BIGHAM, Elizabeth 'Anne' (1943-)  Gymnast, Western Youth Centre

• BIRTLES, Beeb (1948-) /BERTELKAMP Gerard Plympton High School ; Musician, Music Producer;  Zoot, Frieze, Mississippi Little River Band

• BLACKLER, WILLIAM (1827-1896) Horseman of West Torrens

• BRICE, Christopher John (1949-2012)  Lockleys ; The Way We Were Advertiser journalist

• BRITTAIN family Lockleys War Service WW1, and WW2

• BRICE, Daniel (1817-1901) D Brice and Son, Beans Road (now Dew Street) Thebarton ; Brickmaker

• BROCK (OAM), Lois (1923-2021) Founder Kurralta Park Kindergarten, Barwell Avenue; Meals on Wheels; Richmond Primary School; School Welfare Club; West Torrens Historical Society Inc 

• BURBRIDGE, William (1852-1922) ; Jane (1854-1913) West Torrens Council Poundkeepers; Burbridge Road

• BURNARD, Dr Renfrey Gershom (1882-1971) GP 210 Henley Beach Road Torrensville; Military Service; Sister Eulalie Hardy Hanton Dawson (née Burnard; 1883-1907) one of University of Adelaide’s first female medical graduates

• CASHMORE AM, Jennifer Lilian (1937-2024) Politician, Trailblazer

• CHARLESWORTH, William (c1829-1896) Charlesworth Court, Mile End; West Torrens Councillor (Thebarton Ward) 1876-1880 ; CHARLESWORTH, Emma (later Albiston) (1861-1926) Pioneer of Salvation Army in South Australia

• CHENEY, Arthur Edward 'Tim' (1918-1994) Builder; Main Street, Lockleys; Kooyong Court, Shopping Centre, Lockleys; 1967 Telethon House of Hope, 568 Burbridge (now 568 Sir Donald Bradman Drive) Lockleys

• COLLINS Donald Leslie ‘Don’ (1927-2010) Market Gardener, Basketballer, State Lawn Bowler

• CONGDON, James (1888-1960) Because of his long and happy association with the South Australian Railways, in tandem with the fact that he had also been a long-term resident of the area, James Congdon Drive, Mile End was named in his honour in 1999.

• COOMBE, Victor Knight (1890-1955) Radio Broadcaster, Mile End; 5DN Ernest Hume, Mile End; 5BZ W.E. Launder-Cridge, Pareora, Henley Beach Road, Brooklyn Park; 5MB H.M. Brown, 24 Northcote Street, Torrensville; 5XK A.J. Hewitt, 233 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville; 5WS Western Suburban Radio Club 44 King Street, Mile End

• COWELL, Henry James (1855-1935); Hubert Henry (1881-1974); Walter David (1885-1963) Architects Lockleys

• CRAFTER, Murray (1930-2017), Brian Crafter (1932-1994) 17 Elston Street, Brooklyn Park; Kooyonga Golf Club Jane Crafter (1955-)

• CUMING, Robert Burns (1859-1910) Adelaide Chemical Works ;Thebarton Council 1885-1887, 1899-1900, including Mayor 1893-1894, 1901-1903

• DASSELL (DAZZLE), Charlie (1853-1923) Butcher, Marleston

• DAVEY VC MM, Phillip (1896-1953) Military Service

• DAVIES, Edward (1852-1927) Architect, Nesfield 353 Marion Road North Plympton

• DAVIS, Abraham Hopkins (1796-1866) Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Vineyard, West Torrens Council 1853-1859

• DAY, Thomas (1827-1921) Keswick Pioneer

• DOOLAND, Bruce (1904-1980) West Torrens Cricket Club (1938-1958), State Cricket Representative; West Torrens Baseball Club (1939-1948)

• DYKE, Elizabeth E Dyke and Son Drapery Store 58 Rowland Road, corner of Washington Street (Sir Donald Bradman Drive), Hilton

• DYKE, Albert Ernest Dyke (1879-1959) E Dyke and Son Drapery Store 58 Rowland Road, corner of Washington Street (Sir Donald Bradman Drive), Hilton

• ELPHICK, Gladys (1904-1988) Aboriginal community leader who lived in West Thebarton for a brief period (c1946-1951) with her second husband

• EVANS, Private Francis Gilbert (1894-1915) World War One Gallipoli Hero; 26 Rankine Road Torrensville (New Mile End)

• EVERARD, Dr Charles George (1794-1876); Charles John Everard (1821-1892); The Hon William Everard (1819-1889) Ashford Estate; Marshfield Estate

• FENTON, Maurice (1926-2010) Military Service; Historian, Author

• FISHER, Sir James Hurtle Fisher (1790-1875); Charles Brown Fisher (1818-1908) Lockleys Training Stables

• GANDY, Maria, later Mayo (1811-1847) Colonel William Light's partner

• GILLESPIE, Laurence 'Laurie' Kingston (1923-) Military Service, Lockleys RSL

• GLENNON, Thomas James Patrick 'Pat' (1927-2004) Jockey; Bucklands, North Plympton, Boss Avenue, South Richmond (Marleston)

• GOLDSMITH, Dulcima (Dulcie) Florence Mary (1912-1993) Lockleys Ladies Choir 1953-2008

• GRAY, William Henry (1808-1896) Businessman, Early Pioneer and Landowner, Frogmore, West Beach, North Glenelg; West Torrens Councillor 1866-1869, 1871-1878

• GRIMMETT, Victor Clarence ' Vic' (1923-2017) Photographer, 284 Marion Road Netley

• GUM (MBE OAM), Daphne Lorraine (1916-2017) Director, Crippled Children’s Centre; Annesley Methodist Church College; West Torrens Historical Society founding member

• HAIGH, Claude Alfred (1904-1980) Confectioner, Racehorse Breeder, Mile End

• HAINES, Janine Winton (1945-2004) Member of Parliament, South Australian Senator 1977-78 and 1981-1990; leader Australian Democrats 1986-1990 

• HALL, Aubrey Eugene (1899-1970) Dance Teacher 1920s-1960s, Plympton (Elizabeth Helena May Edeson, Nell Teasdale, Kathleen Florence Maddern)

• HAMRA MBE, Estyphan 'Stephen' (1911-1989) West Torrens Councillor 1954-1960 / Mayor of West Torrens 1961-1976  &1977-1989

• HANK, Robert William ' Bob' (1923-2012) and family Torrens Avenue, Lockleys - Market Gardeners, West Torrens and SA Football player (Thebarton Oval, Hank Brothers Stand)

• HANRAHAN, Barbara (1939-1991 Thebarton Artist and Author ; City of West Torrens  - view information about her art and books with links to other resources; Scent of Eucalyptus Walk - updated booklet to follow in Barbara's footsteps (Mile End and Thebarton Area); State Library Image Collection  - view a range of images relating to her life and subsequent commemorations

• HARDY, Thomas (1830-1912) Vigneron, Bankside Winery Underdale; Local Heritage listed Wine Cellars 2-4 Henley beach Road Mile End

• HARE, Charles Simeon (1808-1882) Early Pioneer; Landowner; West Torrens Councillor 1853-1854, MP, Prison design The Stockade Dry Creek, Yatala Labour Prison, Comptroller of Convicts, Manager SA Railways; Fair View, Greystone, Marion Road, Plympton

• HATWELL, Harry Sumner (1880-1947) Thebarton Council 1915-1917, 1918, 1920-1946; Mayor 1926-1928

• HEAD MBE, Lindsay Hudson (1935-) West Torrens Football Club 1952-1970

• HENDRICKSON, Dr Douglas Buxton (1911-1979) Medical Doctor, Owner Kandahar North Plympton (1951-1972)

• HINE, Clytie May (later Mundy) (1887-1983) International Soprano singer, pianist, music tutor (grew up 16 Hughes Street, Mile End)

• HOLBROOK, John Daykin (1828-1880); Harriet Holbrook nee Shakes (1838-1903) Wilford Winery Underdale, 103 Holbrooks Road Local Heritage Building

• HOOKES, David William (1955-2004) Cricketer, Coach, Torrensville

• IELASI, Giuseppe Rosario 'Joe' (1927-2013) Master Tailor, Torrensville; Donald Allan Dunstan AC QC (1926-1999)

• INGERSON, Frederick William 'Will' (1878-1944) West Torrens Councillor, Keswick Ward, 1915-20 and 1942-44

• INGERSON, William Alexander 'Bill' (1911-1957) West Torrens Councillor, Keswick Ward, 1938-41; Bakery, 94 Nottingham Avenue, (now Richmond Road) Keswick

• JACKSON née RIGGS, Yvonne (1920-2014) Glandore Boys Home, Meals on Wheels, West Torrens Historical Society

• JACKSON, Wayne R (1944-) West Torrens Football Club 1965-1971; CEO Australian Football League 1996-2003

• JENNINGS, Dr Reece Ian (1937-2024) City of West Torrens Council 1973-1979, 1981-2000  Mayor 1976-1977; 1999-2000; South Australian Railways; Military Service; Medical Doctor; West Torrens Historical Society; Author

• JOHNSON, Bertram Harold 'Bertie' (1939-) West Adelaide Football Club

• JOHNSON, Joseph (1804-1877) Frogmore, Frog Moor, Reedbeds / West Beach

• JORY, Harrold Herbert (1888-1966) Architect

• KEANE family Thebarton Milk delivery; Murray Street, West Thebarton; Ballantyne Street, West Thebarton; Walter Street, Thebarton; William Joseph Keane (1881-1947) ; Bernard William Keane (1913-1991)

• KUNOTH-MONKS, Rosalie 'Ngarla' Lynette (1937-2022) Actress, Jedda; First Nations advocate and political role model; St James Church of England, 10 Falcon Avenue, Mile End

• LASSCOCK, Edward 'Ted' (1887-1956) Lasscock’s Nursery, 334-432 Henley Beach Road, Lockleys ; 8 Mellor Avenue

• LEA, Miss Emma Caroline (1875-1950) Tramway Tea Lady (late 1890s - early 1900s)

• LEWIS, Gordon (1918-2014) Personal Recollections of the 1920s and 1930s ' The growing years'  Underdale Market Gardener

• LIGHT, Colonel William (1786-1839) Surveyor General and 'Founder of Adelaide' - State Library Image Collection  - view a range of images relating to Light and his home at Thebarton ; The Founder of Adelaide unveiling of memorial 1905 - State Library of SA digital collection

• LLOYD, Martha Ellen (1893-1966) Military Road, West Beach

• LOCKSLEY, Maurice (1864-1943) Foundation Head Teacher, Camden Public School 1919-1930

• LOCKWOOD, Betty (1941-) Ashford Hosptial, Director of Nursing, Chief Executive Officer

• MADDERN, Mervyn (1927-) Treasured Story Project - St John Community Care document of Mervyn's life story with detailed recollections of his life and what it was like in his years living and working in the West Torrens area

• MADER OAM, Conrad, Wilfred 'Wilf' (1908-2003) Teacher, musician, choir master

• MALCOLM, William (-1858) The ghost of Rowells Road; Metters Corner; Stanley house, Lockleys

• MARJORAM, Richard (c1805-1897) Reedbeds, winemaker, gunsmith; West Torrens Councillor (1862-1868)

• MARLES OAM, Daisy 'Maybelle' (1927-) Community Services, West Torrens Historical Society founding member

• MARTIN, John (1840-1889) Draper, The Pines North Plympton

• MCGREGOR BEM, Dorothy Mary 'Miss Mac' (1908-2003) Piano Tutor

• MCLEAN OBE, Allan Robert Charles 'Bob' 1914-1989 Football administrator, Sportsperson

• MCLEAN, Donald (1772-1855) Pastoralist, Hilton, Marleston, Strathalbyn

• MEDLIN, Brian Herbert (1927-2004); Edwin Harry Medlin (1920-2013) Academics

• MELLOR, Joseph (1908-1880); Mary Fox (1808-1873); John Fox Mellor (1845-1913); Eliza White (1846-1919); Holmfirth Fulham; John White Mellor (1868-1931), 1 Myzantha Lockleys, Salvation Army Prison Gate/Serene Nursing Home

• MELROSE, Charles James 'Jimmy' (1913-1936) Aviator; James Melrose Road, Glenelg North/Novar Gardens

• MODRA, Joan (née Tilbrook) Memories from 3 Poynton Street Cowandilla, Cowandilla Primary School and Crace Road, Fulham

• MORPHETT, Sir John (1809-1892) Early Settler, Politician

• MORPHETT OBE, Audrey Cummins (1902-1983) Cummins House, Novar Gardens

• MOUNTFORD, Charles Pearcy (1890-1976) Anthropologist, Ethnographer, Author, Torrensville

• MULVIHILL, Catherine (1971-) Eagles Football Club, West Adelaide Football Club, SAWFL

• NELSON family, Marleston Post Office/General Store William Nelson (1828-1903); William Henry Nelson (1859-1939); William Alfred Nelson (1889-1981)

• NOACK, Errol Wayne (1945-1966) Vietnam War Service, Marleston

• NORMAN, Jesse (1826-1880) Normans Wines 49 Hardys Road Underdale, Leonard 'Len' Arthur Norman (1922-2001), Underdale Bowling Club

• O'DONOGHUE AC CBE DSG, Dr Lowitja 'Lois' (1932-2024) First Nations Activist; Lowitja Institute

• O'RIELLEY, Annette Patricia; Corporation of Thebarton, 1981-1997, Mayor 1987-1997; City of West Torrens Council 1997-2014

• OLIVER, Claude Hamilton (1888-1962) Independent Grocer, Buyers Ltd founder, Home Services Stores, Keswick, Hilton, Torrensville

• OSBORN family, Plant nursery, Richmond 1889-2001; Richmond Road, Bruce Avenue, Marleston; Frederick Robert Osborn (1860-1930); Frederick Bertie Osborn (1888-1974); John Osborn (1919-1997)

• PALMER, Garth (1941-2023) West Torrens Councillor 1973-2006, 2010-2018 

• PARKER, Lieutenant Walter Gordon Parker (1903-1931) War Service, Keswick 

• PARKIN, William (1801-1889) Businessman, Congregational Church, Philanthropist; Plympton House, 4 Lewis Crescent North Plympton

• PARRY, Arnold Sefton 'Seff' (1907-1980) West Adelaide Football Club

• PARRY, Cyril Norman (1900-1984) West Torrens Cricket Club

• PARRY, Thomas James (1842-1909) Butcher, Underdale

• POLITO, Antonio 'Tony' Gentlemen’s Hairdresser, 187 Henley Beach Road, Mile End; Corporation of Thebarton, 1993-1995; City of West Torrens Council 1997-2018

• POTTER, James Anderson (1875-1927) SW corner Henley Beach and Marion Roads, Brooklyn Park; Brooklyn Nurseries, Holbrook Apartments

• POYNTON OBE, Alexander (1853-1935) Labourer, Amalgamated Shearers Union, MP 1893-1922,  Subdivision, suburb of Grey, 1922; Puntabie, Hounslow Avenue, New Mile End (now Torrensville)

• RALPH, Glen Ross (1932-2018) Mile End, Lockleys; Author; Wilmar Library

• RAMSAY CBE, Alexander Maurice (1914-1978) 6 Rowells Road, Lockleys; Teacher; SA Housing Trust 1943-1978

• READ, Philip Andreas 'Phil' (1904-1982) West Torrens Football Club, 1925-35, Life Member; Umpire league football 1936-45; Umpire coach 1946-55; Founding member SA Umpires Association 1947/Life Member;  S.A.N.F.L  Life Member; Founding member of the Australian Lawn Tennis Umpires Association 1947

• READE, Charles Compton (1880-1933) Town Planner - Thebarton Oval-Thebarton Senior College precinct, portions of Kurralta Park-North Plympton and Marleston; Galway Gardens suburb design 1919

• REID, John 'Johnny' (1850-1930) Butcher / Livery, Stables, Carriage dealer, Horse Bus Business / Clerk of Course, Adelaide Cup ; Bleak House, Nottingham Avenue (Richmond Road), Richmond

• RICHARDSON, George (1848-1921) NW corner George Street and Port Road, Thebarton; Ironfounder, Albatross Flying Machine; Professor Arnold Edwin Victor Richardson (1883 -1949)

• RIDINGS, Philip Lovett ' Phil' (1917-1998)   West Torrens District Cricket Club, Thebarton Oval - Phil Ridings Grandstand

• RIGGS, Harold (1891-1969) War Service, Brooker Terrace, Richmond, Richmond Blocks 

• ROBERTSON OAM, Claude Gordon George (1921-1976) City of West Torrens, Mayor 1989-1998

• ROFE, Herbert (1876-1947) Headmaster, Cowandilla Primary School

• ROWELL, John (1816-1893) ; John Edward Rowell (1848-1924) ; Ruby Eveleen Woods (1895-1992) ;  James Rowell CB (1851-1940) The Gums 2-4 Anthus Street Lockleys; Rowells Road Bridge

• SATTERLEY, John (1933-2021) Recollections of Cowandilla; Fulham Park Drive, Torrens Bridge; Cowandilla Primary School (1938-46);  Adelaide High School (1947-50); St James Anglican Church Mile End,  Father Charles J. Whitfield Rector 1921 to 1957;  Advertiser newspaper; 7 (now 11) Neill Road, Cowandilla

• SATTERLEY, Walter Arnold 'Wally' (1895-1982) Military Service, Market Gardener, Lockleys Show Society, Lockleys Oval Trust, Satterley Hall

• SHEPHARD OBE, Vernon Stanley (1893-1976) District Clerk of West Torrens Council

• SHEPHERD, Harry 'Bill' (1916-1995) War Service, RSL Founder, West Torrens Councillor (Bill Shepherd Reserve)

• SHINN, William Henry 'Bill' (1913-1980) Harness Racehorse trainer/driver

• SHIERS, Walter Henry 'Wally' (1889-1968) Hilton, 1919 England to Australia Air Race

• SKINNER family 86 Rowland Road/135 Burbridge Road, Cowandilla/Hilton (City of West Torrens Council Chambers site); John Skinner (1802-1865); Jane Skinner (née King) (1796-1846); William Skinner (1836-1903); Letitia Skinner (née Morris) (1840-1933); Eliza Jane Skinner (1862-1946) - First School Hilton;  Eileen McNamara (née Skinner) (1915-2011)

• SMITH OAM, John Arthur 'Jack' (1929-2018) Birkalla / West Torrens Birkalla Soccer Club, Jack Smith Park, Camden Oval; State and National Soccer Representative, SA Soccer Federation Committee

• SPEARS, Stephen John (1951-2007) Playwright, Actor, Novelist, Mile End South

• SPECHT AO, Raymond Louis 'Ray' (1924-2021) Academic

• STAMP, Charles Edward (1904-1980) Artist

• STANFORD DFC OAM, Ross Milton (1917-2006) West Torrens Cricket Club (1933-1955), State Cricket Representative; RAAF (1939-1946), Dambusters Squadron, Distinguished Flying Cross (Imperial) Medal

• STANFORD Thomas (1808-1889) Early Settler, Stanford Bridge Tapleys Hill Road Fulham; Market Gardens Lockleys; Edwin 'Ted' Stanford

• STEWART, William 'Rufus' Clyde (1893-1964) Professional Golfer; Kooyonga Golf Course; 1 Acacia Avenue, Lockleys

• STONE Alfred John 'Alf' (1897-1970) Military Service; Inventor of Electric Light Cricket

• STOTT, Malvern George Heaslop (1911-2001) City Of West Torrens Council 1946-1975; Military Service; Historical Society

• SUTTER, Kenneth Laurence 'Ken' 1925-2017 West Torrens Camera Club, West Torrens Historical Society

• SYM CHOON, Gordon (1910-1964) Lived Brooklyn Park; Fireworks Store Adelaide

• THOMAS, Douglas William 'Doug' (1932-2020) West Adelaide Football Club; SANFL

• TOOHEY, James Philip (1909-1992) Hilton, Richmond, Labor Party

• TWINING, Captain David Austral (1895-1931) War Service, Keswick

• VEALE, Charles Richard John (1901-1970) West Torrens Councillor, 1939-1946, Mayor 1946-1954; Charles Veale Drive, West Beach

• VENTRIS, Horatio William (WIP)

• VIDMAR, Aurelio and Antony (Tony) Underdale, Australian Soccer Stars

• WAIT, Ronald Ernest (1916-1998) West Torrens Councillor, Lockleys Ward, 1971-1989; Ron Wait Court, Lockleys

• WARE, Charles Boxer (1870-1932) Thebarton Mayor, 1898-1901, Craiglee, (later Roseneath) 264 Henley Beach Road, Underdale

• WATSON OBE, Stanley Holm (1887-1985) World War One, Gallipoli, Watsons Pier, Plympton RSL

• WELLINGTON, Kingsley Rex (1930-2024) West Torrens Baseball Club, West Torrens Cricket Club, SA Baseball League Chair

• WELLS, Daniel Joseph 'Joe' (c1910-1981) Councillor, City of West Torrens (1959-1980); 41 Mooringe Avenue, North Plympton (Joe Wells Reserve)

• WENZEL, Brian Thomas (1929-2024) Actor, A Country Practice

• WERE, Walter (1881-1921) Busy Bee Joinery Works Danby and Northcote Streets, Torrensville

• WHEATON, Eric Reuben (1881-1917) Wheaton Road, Plympton; AIF Fallen Anzac hero

• WHITE, John (1785-1860); Barbara Willingale (1800-1899); Samuel White (1835-1880); William White (1837-1931); Samuel Albert White (1870-1954); Charles White (1842-1900); Eliza White (1846-1919) (later Mellor); Jerusalem flora and fauna sanctuary, Henley Beach South; Weetunga, Fulham; Holmfirth, Fulham; The Oaks, Fulham; John White Bridge; Fulham Post Office; Fulham Weslyan Chapel and White Burial Vault

• WRIGHT, John Robert (1873-1954) / Wright Family, Grocer, Richmond Primary School Tuck Shop, 19 South Road, Keswick

• WYATT, Dr William (c1804-1886) Early Pioneer and Landowner; Wyatt Benevolent Institution; Henry Allchurch (1859 - 1943), Kurralta Park subdivision

• Chinese Market Gardens of West Torrens 1840s to 1890s    Ah Chow, Ah Duck, Ah Yock, Choon Sing, Daniel Lee, Kee Yick, Wang Soon, Wing Poon, Jim Hop Sing, Ah Tuck, Ne Quan, Ah Mook, Chin Lee Dip, Annie Way Lee, Yet Soo War Way Lee, Yett Quart Yung, Ah Tow, Ah Chee, John Kee, Ah Fong, Ah Chee and Ah Chung, Doy Lee / George Ah Kit / George Dare (1879-1960)  

• Market Gardeners of West Torrens 1850s to mid 2000s      

• Richmond Lovelies, 1856-1963 (Daphne Todd OAM, Lois Brock OAM)

• Volunteer Defence Corps, Lockleys  1940 (+ Arthur Herbert Cashmore 1899-1954)

• Water Diviners of West Torrens 1910s-1920s (JE Rowell, Lockleys; TH Hayman, Lockleys; E.A. (Ted) Lasscock, Lockleys; Will Stanford, Lockleys; WH Evans, Findon; EJ Keele, St James Park)

Preserving Memories Project

The Preserving Memories project aim is to interview people who have lived in or had extensive connections to the West Torrens area. The West Torrens Historical Society in conjunction with the City of West Torrens  invite them to share their memories and talk about the events and experiences which helped to make up their life's history. It allows us all the chance to reflect on the past and to preserve those memories into the future.

Download the participants stories:

• Andrewartha, John (5 May 1939 - 22 Mar 2025)

• Bacchus, Pamela (nee Jackson)

• Beard, Kent

• Bonshor, David

• Bills OAM (nee Milledge), Bev 

• Collins, Peter (7 Jan 1942 - 3 Aug 2024) 

• Drennan, Colin

• Gray (nee Gray), Nina (6 Dec 1923 - 10 Apr 2023)

• Harslett, Malcolm

• Lewis, John (18 Jun 1931 - 8 Aug 2022) 

• Pepper (nee Custance), Olive (11 Dec 1923 - 27 Dec 2023)

• Prettejohn, Frank (15 Apr 1919 - 21 Sep 2004) and Mary (24 Feb 1921 - 19 Jun 2024)

• Prettejohn, Lee

• Neophytou, Sotirious

• Quinn, Thomas

• Whittlesea, Kathryn 

• Thomas (nee Collins) Carleen

• Tregoning, Gordon (19 Feb 1918 - 11 Jul 2013) (TREG trailers)

• Van der Linden, Catherina ( 26 Aug 1912 - 26 Jan 2024)

• Veitch, Bob (Mile End Fuel Supplies)

• Wallis, Lorna (Wallis Refrigeration and Wallis Drive-ins and Cinemas)

• The Hon. John Trainer OAM - coming soon

Delving into the past

Since its inception the West Torrens Historical Society has interviewed local residents to capture their valuable recollections of the West Torrens area. Some of the early interviews conducted in the 1978 are an insight into the conditions and lifestyles when these people were living back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Later interviews reflect the changes and developments made in the area and to the way of life. 

These interviews have been added to the City of West Torrens library catalogue and have an in-depth list of keywords to aid access to relevant records.

To search the full database, access the library catalogue here.