The Kingston SE Branch of the National Trust of South Australia is marking a significant milestone—its 60th Anniversary. To commemorate this special occasion, we are hosting a Local and Family History Weekend on the 21st and 22nd of September. This two-day event offers a rich program filled with engaging workshops, insightful presentations, and opportunities to delve into the fascinating history of Kingston SE. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious beginner, or looking to trace your family roots, there's something for everyone.

Exciting Features:

Presentations & Workshops: Hands-on sessions on preserving artefacts, recording oral history, and searching online records.

Oral History Panels: Witness engaging discussions with locals, recorded and preserved for future generations.

Gala Dinner: Celebrate with a special guest speaker, Elizabeth Ho OAM., at our Saturday night gala.

Meet the Experts

Christeen Schoepf: South Australian Oral Historian of the Year 2024. Learn from her expertise on the conservation, storage, and oral history of artefacts.

Frank Williams: Historian and researcher with over 20 years of experience. Gain insights into utilising online resources for researching family and local histories.

Local Residents Panel

Hear firsthand accounts from local residents as they share their family histories and how they are woven into Kingston's development:

Day 1 Panel

Ann White: Pathways to pastoral settlement: selection, "dummying" or purchase and family tales of murder.

Tom Randall: The importance of the Port, wattle bark, Kingston’s first garage, and servicemen in the Great War.

John O’Farrell & Trevor Gale: The first railway in the South East and Kingston's last stationmaster at the Port.

The Hartman Family: Reminiscences of First Nations people and their interactions with Kingston’s settlement.

Yvonne Tonks: The establishment of retail trade and services in Kingston.

Day 2 Panel

Dale McRostie: The story of the South- East Kingston Leader.

John Goode: Early settlement and the development of the pastoral industry.

Jeff Pinkerton: The oldest continuous family Butchery operator in Australia.

Sandra Hutchings: Early settlement, bullockies to pastoralists and how philanthropy built the town. 

Alex Walter: The Port, Railway and Retail. Providing the services the town wanted.