Greg Duggan Nature Reserve
Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
On a visit to stay with family in Peterborough, South Australia last year I took out a hour or so to go birding. Many years ago I had experienced some excellent birding near Tank Hill at the end of Government Road. On this occasion I was delighted to see that the area had been made into a dedicated reserve in honour of local council worker Greg Duggan. The sign above is at the beginning of the walking track.
While I didn’t manage to see many birds on this occasion I was delighted to get photos of some of the local plants in flower. I will share these over coming days so I invite readers to come back soon. Meanwhile, just a little background information about Greg and the reserve:
Named after Greg Duggan, one of South Australia’s most gifted, and knowledgeable, amateur naturalists, this 10 acre Reserve is home to a wide range of local flora and fauna, with several species of Native plants found there being extremely rare in South Australia. These plants are Mallee Hop-bush (Dodonaea subglandifulera – Endangered), Two-bristle Greenhood (Pterostylis biseta – one record only) and Ashy-haired Swainson-pea (Swainsona tephrotrich – Rare).
The reserve can be accessed from Tank Hill lookout with marvellous views over Peterborough from an elevated observation deck.
Mr Duggan, a Council employee, has dedicated much of his free time during his life to studying the birds, plants and reptiles in the Peterborough District, and has compiled a check list of the many species found locally, and which is available from the Council Office or Visitor Information Centre for a minimal fee.
I did say above that I didn’t see many birds on my visit to the reserve. It started out well with the appearance of a Singing Honeyeater perched on the interpretive sign at the start of the walking track. I’ve included a photo of it below. After that I saw very few birds, but that happens. I was rather cold, late afternoon and I didn’t even hear many birds.
The photo immediately below shows a part of the walking track through the reserve. It demonstrates the diversity of plant life in the reserve. While native pines (Callitris spp) dominate the southern parts of the reserve, there are also plenty of wattles (Acacia spp), hop bush (Dodonaea) and smaller bushes plus a range of native grasses. Sadly a growing number of exotic plants are also present and the weed problem is evident.
Walking track through Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
Singing Honeyeater, Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
Hidden Waters Emporium, Terowie
Hidden Waters Emporium, Terowie, South Australia
In recent days I have been posting photos of some of the old buildings in the historic town of Terowie. Terowie is in the mid-north of South Australia between Peterborough and Burra and north-east of the Clare Valley. In its heyday it was a bustling railway town and an important service centre for the surrounding rural properties. These days it is a sleepy residential backwater with only a handful of the former businesses still operating.
On our recent drive through the town – one needs to take a detour off the main highway – I took the photo above of the Hidden Waters Emporium. I always smile when I see such a modest building have the title of “emporium”. The word for me conjures up images of very large stores selling a large variety of items, a bit like our department stores of today. It speaks to me of grandiose structures, not tiny buildings like the one shown in the photo above.
The definition of the word can vary depending on which dictionary you consult. Some define it along the lines I have described, while others are content to leave it at describing any store which sells a variety of items. I know nothing of the history of this particular “emporium” except that there are several references online to it being a second-hand shop in the past. One of those references is here in the National Library of Australia. The entry there shows a photo of the shop in operation as a second-hand outlet.
Sadly, this fascinating building seems to be well past its prime and is only used as a storage place for some junk.
Update: Since writing this article I have discovered where the “Hidden Waters” name is derived.
Terowie, whose name is derived from a local Aboriginal word meaning ‘hidden water’ was originally a watering pause on a stock route from the north-east of South Australia.
Peterborough Town Hall, South Australia
Peterborough Town Hall
Over recent days I have been sharing some photos of various aspects of Peterborough in the mid-north of South Australia. We often go there to visit family. My wife grew up and went to school in the local school, and her sister and brother-in-law still live there.
One of the more prominent buildings in the main street is the Town Hall, featured in today’s photos. According to the date on the top of the façade it was completed in 1926, but the fact sheet put out by the council says 1927.
Marvel at one of the largest heritage listed Town Halls in country South Australia.
Commissioned by a very proud outgoing council in 1926, the Town Hall was
completed in 1927. The original five shop fronts are now converted into council
offices and the Mayoral chambers are situated up the ornate stair-cases. The
left hand foyer is known as the Federation Foyer and is where you can see and
hear about the magnificent Federation quilt, donated to the community from the
Peterborough Patchworkers. The right hand foyer is the Memorial Foyer where you
will find Keith Payne’s Victoria Cross display and the Citizen of the Year honour roll.
Please pop your head in to witness the grandeur of the beautiful building.
The town hall is used for many functions throughout the year. Every Easter we attempt to visit Peterborough for the annual Art and Cultural Festival, held around Easter time. Included in the festival is a huge art and photographic exhibition and competition. Every time I go I comment that I must enter some of my photos; the family is still waiting.
Peterborough Town Hall
YMCA Building , Peterborough
Former YMCA Building in Peterborough, South Australia
While on a recent visit to relatives in Peterborough in the mid-north of South Australia, I took time out one sunny afternoon to take a few photos of some prominent features of the town. Over recent weeks I have been sharing these photos and writing about the various features of this once well established railway town.
One of the beautiful buildings in the main street is the YMCA Building, right next to the Town Hall which I will feature in the coming days. This building no longer serves its former use and is now an important tourist attraction for what it contains.
The following quote is an extract from the local council tourist brochure:
In the middle of the town, between the Visitor Information Centre and the Town Hall, the historic former YMCA building has sprung back to life as a museum. Downstairs houses a unique display of MELDONFIELD Miniatures, created by Mary & Eldon Zimmermann. The must-see attraction is the original Petersburg Railway station, situated in the foyer of the main entrance, which has been rebuilt on a scale of 1:12 from the original stone, bricks and wood salvaged by Eldon.
Historic Cobb & Co coaches made by Eldon with Mary’s miniature people, also to scale with the coaches, are on display as well as the huge number of tools and plans which have been used to create these fascinating miniatures. It is truly a wonderful collection for those people who appreciate such attention to detail in miniature making and for those interested in the history of transportation.
Upstairs in this building the Peterborough Historic Group has painstakingly bought the “single men’s” rooms back to original condition and in each of the rooms are housed artefacts associated with the history of “Petersburg to Peterborough” and the surrounding region. Set your mind wondering to how people use to live and experience a taste of a life long gone. Open daily from 9am to 4pm except Christmas.
I have seen parts of this exhibition and can thoroughly recommend a good look – both visitors and locals alike.
Saint Cecilia Heritage Mansion, Peterborough
Saint Cecilia Mansion Peterborough
One of the more impressive historic buildings in Peterborough, South Australia, is Saint Cecilia Mansion, shown in today’s photos. I must admit that I have never been inside, or taken a tour and not even participated in one of the renowned Murder Mystery Banquets. Such an over sight on my part.
The local council tourist site states:
Saint Cecilia is the former Bishop John Norton’s mansion, a heritage listed ‘Edwardian-style’ building dating back to 1912. It was also the convent for the Order of Nuns and boarding school for the St. Joseph’s Catholic girls up until 1973. Today visitors can enjoy a Bed & Breakfast stay in any of the beautiful themed rooms and groups can enjoy Murder Mystery nights along with selected banquet themes. Tours are available every day between 11am – 3pm.
Saint Cecilia Mansion Peterborough