The town of Balaklava is located in South Australia, 92 km from Adelaide and 26 km from Port Wakefield.
Situated near the Wakefield River, Balaklava was originally a private town, named after the famous Crimean War Battle of Balaklava. The name derives from the Turkish words balik - "fish" and yuva - "net".
The Kaurna and Peramangk Peoples
The Kaurna people, known as the Adelaide tribe by the early settlers,
have lived in the region of the Adelaide Plains for thousands of years.
It has been claimed that the stringy-bark forests over the back of the Mount Lofty Ranges were the traditional boundary between Kaurna and Peramangk people. However, Kaurna and Peramangk people shared similarities in culture and some language.
The Peramangk people, who
primarily lived in the Mount Lofty region, had access to Red Ochre, flint and mineral pyrites, also traded with the Kaurna.
As hunter-gathers, the Kaurna and Peramangk peoples moved about according to the sessions and sources of food. In the colder months, Kaurna and Peramangk people often wore a possum or kangaroo skin cloak.
There are some reports that enmity existed between the three
tribes of the Adelaide region, Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk. And yet other reports state that the Peramangk were held with some reverence due to their cultural practices.
Aboriginal people of the region, frequently used hollow gums for shelter, to which they added branches and bark, grass and leaves in the winter. During warmer months, wurlies constructed of huge sheets of bark were used.
The caterpillar of the moth grub was regarded as a delicacy by the Peramangk.
The Kaurna people practised chest scarification and circumcision as part of initiation.
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| In Australia, scarring was once practised widely. Could be part of rituals of initiation. Cuts made with a stone knife or with a shell and rubbing/putting in ashes, chalk or in some cases ants, in order to produce a swelling before the wound was dressed. Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 11 June 1904 |
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Kaurna woman named Ivaritji meaning “gentle, misty rain”, wearing a wallaby skin cloak, Adelaide, South Australia, 1928. Norman Tindale.
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The earliest known list of Kaurna words was compiled by the French zoologist Joseph Gaimard aboard the Astrolabe at King George Sound, Western Australia, in 1826.
German missionaries Christian Teichelmann and Clamor Schürmann began documenting the Kaurna language after they arrived in Adelaide in October 1838. I
n the following year, Schürmann established the first school for Aboriginal people in South Australia, on the banks of the River Torrens.
In 1840, Teichelmann and Schürmann published
Outlines of a Grammar: Vocabulary and Phraseology of the Aboriginal Language of South Australia, Spoken by the Natives in and for Some Distance Around Adelaide (1840). A book which includes over 2000 words from the tribe of the Adelaide Plains (now known as Kaurna language).
The Kaurna population was
severely impacted by smallpox to which they had no immunity.
The arrival of Europeans, with vastly different cultural beliefs, land use and technology, led to the disintegration of cultural practices and impacts on the traditional way of life for many Aboriginal people.
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| South Australian Aboriginal people, photo taken by Mr Max Doenau for the Adelaide branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australia. Australasia (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 19 November 1898 |
Explorers
The first recorded sighting of the Wakefield River was in early April 1840, when John Hill (incorrectly named William Hill by some sources) named it after Edward Gibbon Wakefield, a key figure in the
establishment of the South Australian colony. Hill
was accompanied by explorer Thomas Burr
.
The explorer Edward John Eyre passed through the area in late May 1839 and recorded that he encamped, "upon a chain of large ponds of excellent water called by Mr Hill the "Wakefield".
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| A carte-de-visite portrait of Edward John Eyre |
Settlers
1840-50s
The
first settlers in Balaklava were James and Mary Dunn, who came from Burra in 1847 and built Dunn's Hotel in 1849, on the Balaklava-Hoyleton Road (demolished 1950). The inn became a stopping point in 1850, for bullock teams from the Burra copper mines, on their way to Port Wakefield. The copper route to Port Wakefield ceased in 1856.
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| Dunn's Hotel, Balaklava, SA, Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940), Thursday 9 March 1933 |
The brother's John and Edmund Bowman took up a large area of land, calling it the Werocata run (called Werockety by Bowman). The land along the lower reaches of the River Wakefield was held under occupation licence from 1845. However, they purchased
the land in 1850.
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| The original Werocata homestead, SA. Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940), Thursday 9 March 1933 |
"The first man to travel through the country was Edmund Bowman who stopped his packhorse at the River Wakefield, which was never dry last century. Mr. J. Spillane, 73, owner of Pine View, a wheat and grazing property five miles from Balaklava, studied the history of the country. He said Bowman followed the River Wakefield and found good grazing country free of timber, north of Bowmans Siding, which was named after him. Returning through the scrub, Bowman was lost for three days. When found by a search party be was in poor conditon. Bowman brought sheep to the area and squatted there. Later he was charged at Clare with having been a squatter, and as a result bought a large tract of country stretching almost from Balaklava to Port Wakefield. It was known as Pine Forest when Mr. Spillane arrived in 1884. Part of tile land was subsequently bought by Mr. S. S. Ralii and called W"erocata, which built a reputation for its sheep and horses."It was named after a battle but— Balaklava reaps fruits of peace (1952, October 8). News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954)
In 1847, an occupational lease was issued to Robert Fry of the Wakefield Plain, where he lived with his wife, Louisa Amelia.
Robert and Louisa Fry were seen leaving home together in a gig on 10 January 1850. The next day, Louise's remains
were found about four miles away. Six months later, Robert's body was found in the same area. It appears that Robert Fry killed his wife and left her body in the scrub before later taking his own life.
The Hundred of Balaklava was declared in 1856. However, the town
was not established until 1869, after the government decided to run a railway from Port Wakefield to Hoyleton (later extended to Blyth) at the foothills of the Clare valley.
Bullock drays carrying copper ore would often become bogged at an area called Devil’s Garden, located on the Balaklava-Auburn Road. To
overcome the problem, a Corduroy Road was laid. This road, was comprised of pine trees, cut down and the logs laid side by side along the boggy sections of the track. There is a replica of the Corduroy Road at the Balaklava Museum.
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| A Corduroy Road comprised of pine trees, cut down and the logs laid side by side along the boggy sections of the track. Daily News |
The name Devil's Garden came from the teamsters, reflecting on the area at night, with vegetation alive with night animals. This
part of the journey was also quite hazardous for the teamsters. Hellfire Creek was also named by the teamsters from Burra travelling the copper "Gulf Route" in the early 1850s. Hotels were often situated every 9 miles (15 km) to cater for the teamsters.
The copper route to Port Wakefield ceased about 1857 when a railway connected Gawler to Port Adelaide.
1870s
In 1872 six houses made up the settlement.
Verco Brothers Mill and Brebner's Hotel were erected in 1875.
The first town council meetings were held at the Balaklava Hotel when the Council formed in 1877.
Before the railway line from Hamley Bridge to Balaklava opened, a coach service was run by the late Mr. D. N. Peek from Hamley Bridge to Snowtown through Balaklava.
1880s
The telephone was introduced in South Australia in 1880.
1890s
George Mayo Pearce, a pianist, accompanist and teacher, was born at the Bible Christian Manse in Balaklava in S.A. on 14th July 1892.
George served in France during WWI in the original A.I.F. 11th Field Ambulance, while his brother John was wounded at Gallipoli. During the Battle of Messines in June 1917, George was gassed and then sent away to convalesce. While in France, George conducted the orchestra attached to the 3rd Division Headquarters under General Monash and performed in Paris with the Divisional Concert Party. After being discharged, he went to London to study the piano at the Royal Academy of Music. Read
more
1900s
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| 1. MONTHLY SALE IN WALSH'S YARDS, BALAKLAVA. 2. A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF BALAKLAVA RESIDENTS. Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 13 February 1904 |
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| 1. Balaklava branch of the bank of Adelaide. 2, Nurse O'Brien's Private Hospital, Balaklava SA. Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 13 February 1904 |
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| Balaklava Business THE FEDERAL FURNISHING DEPOT, SA. Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), Friday 5 July 1907 |
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| GRIGGS' WHEELWRIGHTING AND BLACKSMITHS' PREMISES, BALAKI.AVA, SA. Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), Friday 5 July 1907 |
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| Institute Balaklava, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 16 February 1907 |
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| S. A. Geering the proprietor of '"The Busy Store," at Balaklava, SA. Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), Friday 1 November 1907 |
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| A Oehlmann Drapery, BALAKLAVA, SA. Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), Friday 10 May 1907 |
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| A 1908 photograph of the Terminus Hotel BALAKLAVA, SA. Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940), Thursday 13 June 1935 |
The Showground Pavillion was built by Samuel Bowering Marchant in 1910.
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| BALAKLAVA SHOW., SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 8 October 1910 |
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| Main Street of Balaklava, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 8 October 1910 |
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| Balaklava, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 3 December 1910 |
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| Edith Terrace, Balaklava, SA, c1910 SLSA |
R J Finlayson was the son of Owen's first general storekeeper, started a storekeeping business at Owen, and
later moved to Balaklava in 1911, where he opened a butter, ice and aerated water factory.
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| BALAKLAVA WATER SUPPLY. laying water mains, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 19 August 1911 |
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| Balaklava Croquet Club, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 14 September 1912 |
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| Balaklava Post Office, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 3 August 1912 |
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| MR. K. B. GRUNDY, K.C. LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF MASONICTEMPLE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10. Balaklava, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 18 October 1913 |
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| BALAKLAVA'S NEW COURTHOUSE, SA.Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 8 November 1913 |
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| BALAKLAVA, Winners of the Wooroora Football Association Premiership, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 20 September 1913 |
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| Masonic temple, Balaklava, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 24 January 1914 |
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| The town of Balaklava procession, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 7 August 1915 |
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| Church of Christ Manse, Balaclava, SA. Australian Christian Commonwealth (SA : 1901 - 1940), Friday 14 May 1915 |
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| At Christ Church, Balaklava, on Wednesday, April 26, Mr. Thomas Goldsmith, an Aborigine person, who was born at Balaklava, was married to Miss Florence Ellen Salter, also of Aboriginal descent. The bride's wedding dress was a pretty white silk, with the customary veil and orange blossoms. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 13 May 1916, |
WWI |
| BIOGRAPHICAL.THE LATE PRIVATE G. R. OLSEN. The late Private G. R. Olsen, whose death at the front has been announced, was the youngest son of Mrs. L. Olsen, of Balaklava. He was born at Mallala in 1891. Enlisting at Balaklava, he left for the front in May, 1915, with the 27th Battalion. He served for a time in Egypt, as a storeman, and in April last left for France, where he received wounds which resulted in his death. Prior to enlisting Private Olsen was employed in the building trade. His mother ia a widow. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 17 February 1917 |
1920s
The Balaklava Soldiers' Memorial District Hospital, Incorporated, was opened on March 8 1922.
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| THE BALAKLAVA HOSPITAL, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 18 March 1922 |
The children's playground was opened by Mr. A. W. Robinson in 1924, who contributed £100 toward the project. The playground occupied two acres of land, with playground equipment—swings, see-saws, a large shelter shed, and lawns.
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| Kindergarten Hall and Sunday school, Balaklava, SA. Balaklava Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 15 November 1924 |
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| New Savings Bank at Balaklava, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 2 August 1924 |
An Aboriginal returned soldier named Arthur Weetra, led what was called an Aboriginal street "riot"; later dubbed the Battle of Balaclava in 1925. Information surrounding this event is contradictory.
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| News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 9 April 1925 |
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| Balaklava Show, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 10 October 1925 |
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| Two cars outside the front of Balaklava Memorial Hospital, SA. c1926, SLSA |
The Adelaide Electric Supply Company Limited, began supply of electricity to the town
and established a transformer substation in 1926.
The population of Balaklava town in 1927 was 1,500.
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| Balaklava golf championships, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 29 June 1929 |
1930s
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| Balaklava School Band, winners of the competition, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 10 April 1930 |
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| Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Saturday 4 May 1935 |
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| Balaklava Wanderers, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 2 November 1939 |
1940s and WWII
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| Balaklava, SA, flour mill. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 25 January 1940 |
Total number of socks made for the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund by members of Balaklava Unit is 304. (Nov, 1940)
Forty-one British women and children evacuated from Malaya were billeted in private houses in Balaklava.
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Private W. Offen of Balaklava, SA, sleeps amongst his gear after returning from a jungle patrol. Place made New Guinea: Huon Peninsula, Ramu River Finisterre Ranges Area, Ramu River Area
Date made 1 November 1943. Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945 |
The Balaklava Aboriginal Welfare Institution was established by the Commonwealth Government in 1942, at the Balaklava Racecourse, to serve as temporary accommodation for Aboriginal people evacuated from the Northern Territory during World War II.
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| Aboriginal children evacuated from the Northern Territory, billeted at Balaklava, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 27 January 1944 |
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| Balaklava Race Meeting, SA. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 22 July 1948 |
1950s
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| Local millhands at Balaklava, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 20 July 1950 |
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| SEEN from the top of a grain elevator, Balaklava, SA, is a bustling town, 60 miles north of Adelaide, in the heart of the Lower North wheat-g rowing district. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 20 July 1950 |
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| Staff members of the Balaklava Soldiers' Memorial Hospital of 28 beds, established in 1921, are (from left), Nurse L. Herring, Mr. N. C. Walter (secretary), Matron V. E. Allasson, and Sister E. J. Dohrmann. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 13 July 1950 |
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| MEMBERS of the Balaklava, SA, Voluntary Emergency Firefighting Unit pictured here are (from left), Messrs. L. L. Lucas, M. G. Wright (chief), R. V. Zerk, H. R. Hancock and J. G. Kostera. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 13 July 1950 |
1980s
In 1988, a memorial was unveiled alongside Fry’s Clump, two kilometres south of Balaklava. It is a reminder of this terrible event in Balaklava’s pioneering history.
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| Fry's Clump, at Fry Flat near Balaklava, is situated on section 151, Hundred of Dalkey |
Around Balaklava
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| Balaklava Uniting Church, SA. The fomer Methodist Church built in 1904, replaced an earlier 1871 Bible Christian church. It becmae a Uniting Church in 1977 |
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| Balaklava Courthouse, SA, erected in 1913 |
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| The opening of the Balaklava Institute is reported in the Register, 16 April 1881, SA |
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| 20 Edith Terrace, Balaklava, SA |
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| Heritage house Edith Terrace, Balaklava, SA |
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| Heritage house on Wallace St, Balaclava, SA |
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| Balaclava, SA, Post Office |
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| Balaklava cemetery, SA. Many fine headstones and statues in this cemetery. In the foreground the headstones of young Samuel and baby Melinda Hall 1905 and 1903 respectively. Both topped with angels, denisbin |
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| Dunns Bridge across the River Wakefield, SA |
Things To Do and Places To Go
Guided Self Tours
Balaklava Museums
