Kingston SE Branch's Local and Family History Weekend
The Kingston SE Branch of the National Trust of South Australia is marking a significant milestone—its 60th Anniversary. To commemorate this special occasion, they 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.
Notable Achievements
Over the past 60 years, the Kingston SE Branch of the National Trust has achieved remarkable milestones in preserving and celebrating heritage. Notable accomplishments include successfully preventing the crushing of Jip Jip Rocks for road metal in 1964 and securing its designation along with Baudin Rocks as Conservation Parks. In 1965, they saved the Customs House at Robe from demolition and later campaigned for a barrier to protect the Obelisk at Robe. The branch played a pivotal role in securing the Jarman Building in Kingston, which became a National Trust Museum in 1972. They also preserved the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse from demolition and relocated it to the foreshore in 1976. In the 1990s and 1988, they initiated re-enactments of historical mail coach and bullocky runs. More recently, they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse with five days of festivities in 2022 and will highlight the significance of transport in Kingston’s development with the "Carters and Carriers" event in 2024. The introduction of the CATALOGIT digital cataloging system in 2024 has enhanced public access to the museum’s collection. Throughout, 60 years of volunteering. The branch has relied on the generosity of volunteers to staff both the Museum and Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, ensuring their regular operation and ongoing preservation efforts.
Weekend Highlights
Saturday, 21st September
The weekend kicks off at 10:00 AM with the opening of the Kingston SE Museum. At 10:15 AM, Christeen Schoepf, an esteemed Historical Archaeologist and South Australian Oral Historian of the Year 2024, will present a session on the conservation, storage, and appropriate labelling of artefacts and paper-based records. Following her presentation, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Schoepf will lead a workshop where attendees can bring their family artefacts and records to discuss their historical significance.
Simultaneously, at the School Library, Frank Williams, a well-respected historian and writer, will conduct small group workshops. These sessions, running from 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM, will cover how to utilise online resources for researching family and local histories. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops or tablets to explore digital archives and databases.
In the afternoon, Christeen Schoepf will discuss the importance of collecting oral history, followed by a live panel discussion from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Five local residents will share their family stories, shedding light on key influences on Kingston's development, including land settlement, the declaration of the port, the arrival of the railway and interactions with First Nations People.
The panel will include:
Ann White: Pathways to pastoral settlement: selection, "dummying" or purchase and family tales of murder.
Tom Randall: The importance of the Port, bagging wattle bark, and Kingston’s First Garage. Kingston servicemen in the Great War.
John O’Farrell and Trevor Gale: The first Railway in the South East and the last stationmaster at the Port.
The Hartman Family: Reminiscences of First Nations People and their interaction with the settlement at Kingston.
Yvonne Tonks: The establishment of Retail trade and services in Kingston.
These sessions will be videotaped and added to the museum's digital collection using the new CATALOGIC program.
Sunday, 22nd September
The museum will reopen at 10:00 am with another open session led by Christeen Schoepf, focusing on "The Use of DNA in Family History Searches." This interactive discussion will offer guidance on how to begin your family history journey using DNA technology.
Frank Williams will continue his workshops at the School Library, providing further insights into online research tools. Meanwhile, another session with museum volunteers will take place, inviting the public to share and discuss their historical artefacts and records.
The weekend will culminate with a second oral history panel from 1:30 PM to 4:00 pm, featuring additional local figures recounting their family histories and contributions to the Kingston community.
This panel will include:
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.
Event Program
Gala Dinner on Saturday Night
To further celebrate this momentous occasion, they invite you to join them for a Gala Dinner on Saturday night. This event will provide an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and honor the individuals who have contributed to the branch's success over the past 60 years. We are thrilled to welcome our special guest speaker, Elizabeth Ho, OAM, Fellow of the University of South Australia, Chair of the History Trust of South Australia, Chair of the South Australian Migration Museum and former Director of the Mortlock Library. Elizabeth will share her invaluable insights into the preservation of our shared history.
Tickets for the Gala Dinner can be purchased here:
Join the Kingston SE Branch of the National Trust
Day passes are available online or on the day for $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children per day. This includes entry to the museum and access to the day's presentations and workshops.
Don't miss this chance to explore and celebrate the rich history of Kingston SE. Whether you're passionate about history or simply looking to learn more about your family's past, this weekend offers an array of activities and experiences.
Kingston SE Branch of the National Trust looks forward to celebrating with you!
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