Programme 2025

FEBRUARY 24, 2025 West Torrens Library, 1 Brooker Terrace, Hilton (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: THE HON JON OLSEN AO, CHAIRMAN, ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB

Thebarton Oval, the last hundred years, the next hundred years.

Former Premier, and now chairman of the Adelaide Crows, John Olsen will reflect on, and pay tribute to, the history of Thebarton Oval.  He will then outline the exciting future plans for the redevelopment of the precinct. Don’t miss this informative and enlightening insight. Get the inside story.

MARCH 24, 2025  West Torrens Library, 1 Brooker Terrace , Hilton (7:30pm start) (rescheduled from March 2024) 

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 28, 2025  Kandahar, 329 Marion Road, North Plympton  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: MATTHEW LOMBARD, NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM

The History of the Motor Museum, historic cars, and cars we used to drive.

Australians enjoy a love affair with old cars. Being able to passionately reminisce about the cars we used to drive and to admire the primitive engineering and structural design of historic vintage cars provides a step back in time to many of us. Matthew will enlighten us on the history and role of the Birdwood Motor Museum and inspire us with stories of old relics. You don’t need to fasten your seatbelt to come for this virtual ride.

MAY 26, 2025  West Torrens Library, 1 Brooker Terrace , Hilton (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: MARK POLZER, MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGIST/HISTORIAN

Our Underwater Heritage

Mark has carried out extensive research of shipwrecks all around the world, including ancient shipwrecks, one dating back to 600 B.C. He will talk about fascinating underwater archaeological explorations and discoveries he has been involved in. He will also discuss interesting shipwrecks along our South Australian Coast. Dive into Mark’s world and discover our underwater heritage.

JUNE 17, 2025  (TUESDAY) 

Dinner in the Old Parliament House and tour (**5:30pm start)

(See separate flyer for more details closer to this event)

Instead of our regular monthly meeting at Kandahar, we will enjoy a buffet style meal in the Historic Chamber of Old Parliament House, followed by a guided tour of the current Parliament House, where we will view the historic portraits of all our former Premiers, and visit the Gallery of the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council. Matt Cowdrey OAM MHA, will give a brief talk about the honour of representing Australia as a world champion and Paralympian gold medallist in swimming. 

July 28, 2025  Kandahar, 329 Marion Road, North Plympton  (7:15pm start)

General Meeting. 'Casual Catch-up'

A chance for members 'show and tell' some history and research of West Torrens.

August 25, 2025  West Torrens Library Auditorium, 1 Brooker Tce HILTON (corner Davenport Tce  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: Pamela Rajkowski OAM, The pioneering Afghan Cameleers of Australia

Pamela will discuss the role of the Afghan Cameleers in opening up the inland of Australia. their hardships, the hazards, the challenges, and their relationship with local Aboriginal tribes when transporting cargo from Adelaide to Darwin using the ‘ships of the desert’, in the early days of settlement. Pamela has done a wealth of research, written books, and is very passionate about their under recognised efforts.

September 22, 2025  West Torrens Library Auditorium, 1 Brooker Tce HILTON (corner Davenport Tce  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: Dr Madeleine Regan

The Italian Market Gardeners… “you didn’t have time to be tired” 

Since 2007, Madeleine Regan, an oral historian, has been researching a group of market gardeners from the Veneto region of Italy who arrived in Adelaide in the late 1920s. Within a few years they established market gardens in the area now known as Kidman Park and Flinders Park.  Whole families, including the children from a young age, worked hard in the market gardens which flourished until the land was subdivided in the 1960s and 1970s.  Madeleine will use excerpts from oral history recordings and old photos to tell the stories of some of the families.  https://venetimarketgardeners1927.net/ 

October 22, 2025  West Torrens Library Auditorium, 1 Brooker Tce HILTON (corner Davenport Tce  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: Richard Venus Adelaide - the city of chimneys

Adelaide, in its development and growth over the years, earned a reputation as an industrial city, with the establishment of a large number of manufacturing companies like Perry Engineering, Horwood Bagshaws, Lightburns, Chryslers, General Motors Holdens and Kelvinators, as well as other industries including Hallett’s Bricks, plus smallgoods, clothing, food, footwear and furniture. Many of these factories and industries were in the western suburbs. Richard has a deep interest in engineering heritage and will discuss how these industries helped to put SA on the map.

November 22, 2025  West Torrens Library Auditorium, 1 Brooker Tce HILTON (corner Davenport Tce  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: Keith Conlon LLB BA OAM Conversazione – My thoughts!

The meeting will take the form of an interview and conversation between David Hanna our interviewer from the Heritage Council, and  Keith. Keith will share his memories, his passion and his beliefs. Audience participation, questions and interaction will be encouraged and invited.  Keith is a veteran Australian broadcaster, former 5AA Breakfast Host, former TV Host for 16 years with his travel program Postcards, and the drummer in a well-known and respected local band. He is a renowned history buff, passionate protector of our Parklands, and a keen bike rider.  Preserving and protecting our state’s heritage is close to his heart, and for several years he served as Chair of the SA Heritage Council.