Programme 2024

 FEBRUARY 26

SPEAKER: DOCTOR KIERA LINDSEY, SA HISTORY ADVOCATE (SA HISTORY TRUST)

Giving the past a future, now.

Kiera is the spokesperson and public voice for all things history in SA. An award-winning historian, Kiera appears regularly on radio and television and provides advocacy to the state government on all history and heritage matters. She believes Historical Societies have an important advocacy role in bringing the past into focus for future generations, by highlighting ‘why history matters.’

 MARCH 25

SPEAKER: PHILIP EVANS, METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE

Alarm bells, sirens and home truths.

Phil is the community liaison officer and historian for the MFS. He is very engaging and knowledgeable. He will cover the history of the SA Fire Brigade, its equipment, its trucks and firefighting methods from a bygone era. He is also an expert on fire safety and fire prevention in the home and the things we need to know. He has an important message for all of us.

It's a reality check you can't afford to miss.

APRIL 22

SPEAKER: HELEN MEYER, HISTORIAN, WAR WIDOW, BROADCASTER

Remembering those who served.

Helen enlisted in the Army in the early 1960s.  It was there that she met and eventually married an Armoured Corps soldier who went on to serve in Vietnam and became one of the many who were ostracised and abused on their return from the war zone. 

Helen became the Producer of Legacy’s new radio program called The Legacy Hour, and when that ceased, she was instrumental in creating and producing the multi-award winning program ‘Service Voices’ which broadcasted twice weekly to over 450 radio stations Australia-wide for 8 years.    She strongly believes that we cannot ignore the reality of conflict and its impact on those who served (and thence on their families).  In 2022 she received the History Council’s Award for Excellence in Oral History.

 LEST WE FORGET.

MAY 27

SPEAKER: BARBARA SANTIC, CULINARY HISTORIAN

New Traditions and Bold Palates.

Barbara is Professor Emeritus in History at the University of Adelaide, and a renowned culinary historian who brings to the table recipes that are over 100 years old. She will highlight how Australians have boldly improvised, invented and transformed traditional recipes from other countries, made the Aussie BBQ unique and turned pumpkin scones into an icon 

JUNE 24th

SPEAKER: ROBERT TREVARROW, CROWN PROSECUTOR

Understanding Criminal Justice

Recently retired, barrister and Crown Prosecutor Rob will explain, in simple terms, the history of our criminal justice system and how it works. He will discuss historic cases which aroused public interest and controversy, including the Dominic Perre NCA bombing case, and others, and explain the basis for the verdicts. 

JULY 22

SPEAKER: MAYOR MICHAEL COXON, CITY OF WEST TORRENS

The importance of Local History.

Support from the City of West Torrens and its resources and staff at the Hamra Library, are fundamental to the success of the Historical Society. To have the Mayor as our Guest Speaker is an added privilege. It highlights the positive relationship we share. Come and hear why Council believes preserving local history is important.

AUGUST 26

SPEAKER: MICHAEL KEELAN, HORTICULTURALIST

How does your garden grow?

Well known gardening guru, 5AA radio talkback specialist, newspaper columnist, and TV host on Beyond the Blue, Michael is engaging and informative and an all-round good guy. He will talk about how our gardens have changed over the years and discuss which plants grow best on the coastal floodplains of West Torrens. He will hypothesise on whether plants have feelings and if passionfruit are passionate!

SEPTEMBER 23

SPEAKER: PETER GOERS OAM, JOURNALIST AND RADIO ICON

“Looking back …….”

A patriotic South Australian and Port Power tragic, with a zest for country town hospitality, Peter can be provocative, incisive, and opinionated, with his baby boomer upbringing. He will share his memories and views as he reflects on his life as an actor, art critic, journalist, entertainer and radio icon.

NOVEMBER 25

TBC SPEAKER: GRAHAM CORNES OAM, MEDIA AND SPORTING IDENTITY

The role of sport in our society.

Sport means so much to many, to some it is their religion. A champion footballer, inaugural coach of the Adelaide Crows and a highly respected sport analyst and journalist Graham will talk about its heroes and share his thoughts on how Aussie Rules football has changed over the years.