The Wakefield Companion: A book of South Australian History compiled by the Universary of Adelaide

There’s no better place to talk books than the impressive Barr Smith Reading Room at Adelaide University. It was built following a forty thousand pound donation from wealthy benefactor Thomas Elder Barr Smith. His story, and many others is contained in The Wakefield Companion to South Australian History which has been compiled by an editorial team at the University of Adelaide.

One of the book’s editors, Dr Kerrie Round says the book aims to be a first point of call reference on South Australian history. For this Postcards story she and Ron discussed a few of the things included in the book:

Ron: “Who was Doctor Richard Schomburgk?”

Kerrie: “He was one of the many Germans who came out in the early years. He originally settled in Gawler and established a vineyard. He was then appointed the main curator of what I think was then called the Botanic Gardens. So the form the Botanic Gardens has today is largely due to his efforts.

He also made a effort to beautify Adelaide and he distributed eighteen thousand trees to Government House, Wellington Square, Marble Hill and the Government Farm at Belair which became Belair National Park.

Ron: “What about Pastor Kavel - What does the book tell us about him?”

Kerrie: “He's another German in our early history. He brought the first German settlers to South Australia. They came from Prussia and they came for religious reasons. They settled at Klemzig on land that was owned by Angas.

There's still a little pioneer cemetry there now. Then they went to Hahndorf and some moved on to the Barossa Valley again on land owned by Angas.”

Ron: “what about Cameron Kinston?”

Kerrie: “Charles Cameron Kingston is probably one of South Australia's most colourful political characters. He was involved in politics in the later second half of the nineteenth century. He was in the colonial parliament and was colonial premier for about six years.

He was a very great supporter of federation. He helped frame the Commonwealth Constitution and was in the first Federal Parliament. He also has a more colourful side - he was publicly accused of adultery at one stage and before he became Premier he was involved in a duel in Victoria Square.”

The Wakefield Companion also records the many South Australian firsts. Did you know that we had the first bitumenised roads, the first totalisator and thanks to a Edmond Mears the first patent on something common to most kitchen pantries.

Kerrie: “We know very little about Edmond Mears. What we do know is he worked in the central market as a pastry cook and he was the first, as far as we know, to patent self-raising flour.”

For a comprehensive A to Z of South Australian History it's hard to look past the Wakefield Companion. It's available from all major book stores. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

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