Wallaroo is located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Moonta and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of Kadina, South Australia.
The Narungga People
The Narungga people, also spelt Narangga, are Aboriginal Australians whose
traditional lands are located throughout Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
Narungga people have lived throughout the Point Pearce area for a great many years The area was known as
Bookooyanna. Evidence of Narungga campsites can be
found, mostly near water sources, along with stone tools, food and cooking fire remains.
Cloaks made of opossum or kangaroo skins are worn by these Blacks. Girls deck themselves with . necklaces made of sea shells. Of course the men formerly greased their skins when they could obtain fat of any sort. For knives they employed shells and afterwards glass ; for they relate that they used occasionally to find bottles on the beach many years before the Whites came to reside in South Australia. Their weapons were rude spears, and wooden swords five feet long and slightly curved; the boomerang and wommera were unknown amongst them. Occasionally they baked their food in temporary ovens. Polygamy was practised, and girls became wives at ten years of age. |
| Native coyrobbory, South Australia. Savage life and scenes in Australia and New Zealand: being an artist's impressions. Of countries and people at the Antipodes ...by Angas, George French, 1822-1886 |
The males of this tribe are admitted to the privileges of men, or made young men as the term is, by being circumcised; such privileges being the right to get a wife, if one can be obtained, and the removal of a portion of the restrictions on food. When the time for the administration of this rite has come, the men seize the uncircumcised males of the proper age, and drive the women, after some show of resistance, out of the camp. The foreskin is then severed, and, it is asserted, swallowed by the youth's father. This tribe, it is related, believe in a future state, and that the dead go to the west ; to the country whence come the cool winds, and in which it is believed there is always abundance of fat fish. Kangaroo and emu are speared and also taken in nets.
Mr. Fowler relates the following as one of the modes of fishing in this tribe, witnessed by himself. A good-sized fish being roasted, and tied up in a bundle of rushes, is fastened round the neck of a strong swimmer, so that it hangs down his back. With this he swims out to sea a mile or more, and then returns to the sandy beach, the roasted fish still hanging behind him. When near the shore, the swimmer attaches the fish to a spear stuck in the sand, where the water is about three feet deep. In the meantime the men have got ready their long nets, and the shoal of fish, as soon as it arrives on the scent of this drag, is surrounded and taken, Mr. Fowler says that he saw an enormous quantity of schnapper secured in this way on one occasion. It is a mode of fishing I have not heard of before. (some parts left out)
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| Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 16 July 1936 Read more |
1800s
Matthew Flinders was the first European to
visit the area in 1802.
TUESDAY 16 MARCH 1802
We got under way at six in the morning, and the wind being from the south-eastward made a good stretch along the coast until noon. A patch of breakers then lay five miles to the south-east; but the land was ten miles distant, and some white sandy cliffs, four or five leagues from Point Riley, bore S. 52° E. The intermediate coast, as also that which extends several leagues to the north of the point, is low and sandy; but at a few miles back it rises to a level land of moderate elevation, and is not ill clothed with small trees.
A VOYAGE TO TERRA AUSTRALISThe smallpox entirely depopulated this district, before the whites came to settle on the shores of South Australia. The natives tell us that a long time ago it came down the Murray, spreading its ravages from tribe to tribe: whole tribes were cut off by its destructive effects. Since that period, however, no contagious diseases have been known to exist within the province.
Savage life and scenes in Australia and New Zealand: being an artist's impressions. Of countries and people at the Antipodes ...by Angas, George French, 1822-1886 (1847)
Here
1850s
Wallaroo was
first settled in 1851, when Robert Miller took up 104 square miles of land to graze sheep. In 1857, Walter Watson Hughes, obtained the property, and one of his shepherds found copper in 1859.
Wallaroo became a smelting and harbour town, not a mining town. Wallaroo Mines were actually located at Kadina. many skilled Cornish miners and Welsh smelters arrived to work in the area.
There waa an inadequate water supply for many years. Later iron underground tanks to hold water were constructed.
When copper was found at Moonta in 1859, many
hopeful people arrived in the area.
1860s
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| Cooroboree at Wallaroo Bay, South Australia, 1860 [picture] / W. Wyatt |
The copper smelter was established in 1861. And soon after, a settlement developed at Wallaroo Bay.And was proclaimed as a government town on 29 January 1862. The smelter would also produce gold and lead, and a sulphuric acid works.
A jetty was
built for ships in 1861, part of the contract to build a tramway to the Wallaroo Mine.
The first school in Wallaroo was opened in 1861.
Wallaroo railway station opened in 1862 when a horse-drawn tramway was opened between the port at Wallaroo and mines near Kadina.
Cornucopia Hotel, was built and
opened in 1862
The Yorke Peninsula Aboriginal Mission committee was established in the early 1860s and Reverend W. Julius Kuhn, a Moravian missionary began teaching Nharangga children. The Point Pearce Mission Station was established 35 miles south of Wallaroo in 1868.
The town’s first post office built 1865.
The government also established ration depots from which Aboriginal people could obtain basic supplies.
The
Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal, published from 1 February 1865 to 31 December 1881.
The old Courthouse built in 1866. Closed as a courthouse in 1972.
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| Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954) |
1870s
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| Wallaroo Jetty with a ship moored awaiting its cargo. Rail cars can be seen filled with barrels and bales ready for loading. 1870, SLSA |
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| View of Wallaroo, possibly of Jetty Road, showing Hughs Chimney Stack (1861) in the background. A ship moored at the jetty can also be seen. Loaded carts of grain in sacks are in the foreground. The population of Wallaroo in 1865 was 3,000. The jetty was built in 1861 for ships to bring in coal, timber, food and mining equipment. The first load of refined copper was shipped out in 1861. 1870. SLSA |
Caroline Carleton (6 October 1811 – 10 July 1874), an English-born South Australian poet who is
known for her prize-winning poem "Song of Australia." She is buried in Wallaroo cemetery.
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| Ship Inn, Wallaroo in Alexander Street (formerly Clara Street). The name on the hotel is Slack-Cropley. He was proprietor from 1878-September 4, 1889. According to a researcher, his name was Slack. His mother's maiden name was Miss Slack. The Ship Inn is a single storey sandstone building occupying a corner position. Several men are standing outside the hotel. 1877, SLSA |
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| Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), Wednesday 18 July 1877 |
1880s
A rail connection to Adelaide was
completed by 1880.
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| Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), Wednesday 21 April 1886 |
The
Kadina and Wallaroo Times was a newspaper published in Kadina, also serving
nearby Wallaroo, from August 1888 to August 1966.
After the railway was constructed between Wallaroo and Kadina it was not unusual to see a locomotive on a narrow gauge railway line towing a train of coal trucks on a paralled broad gauge horse line. The engine hauled 20 trucks against five moved by horses. The coal vessels, which were sailing ships, were first discharged by a whip horse. This was followed by donkey engines and eventually by hydraulic hoists worked by a Government plant.
Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954)
1890s
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| Commercial Hotel, Wallaroo existed from 1861-1984. It was also known as the Peninsula Hotel. The Bollmeyer family were proprietors of the Commercial Hotel from 1869-1914. Mrs Jane Bollmeyer was proprietor from 1878-1889. 1890, SLSA |
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| WALLAROO: The Globe Hotel, Wallaroo; the hotel was leased to Sarah Jane Francis (formerly Nottle) from 1890-1895, she is the shortest woman standing in front of a window with her husband, William Francis, and their four daughters, left to right: Jane, Margaret, Alice, and Elizabeth (sitting). A note on the back of the photograph states "Built by W. Square (late of Gawler Town). Since building the above he has made additional alterations. The luxury of baths will be added to the establishment." This is an abstract from an advertisement in JB Austin's "Mines of South Australia", 1863. This single storey building existed from 1861 and was also known as the Globe Hotel and the Weerona Hotel. It was built by W. Square in 1861. Mrs Sarah Francis was the proprietor from 1890-1895. 1890, SLSA |
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| Walleroo Jetty, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 2 September 1899 |
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The Wallaroo team are the premiers of the Central Southern branch of the Rug by Union this year, having defeated the St. Patrick's team after a desperate conflict. Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 2 October 1897 |
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| Mitchell's Draper Shop, Wallaroo, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 2 September 1899 |
1900s
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| Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), Saturday 4 August 1900 |
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| Wallaroo Town Hall and War Memorial Arch. The Town Hall was built in 1902 and was gutted by fire in 1917 with only the external walls left standing. It was remodelled under the supervision of Adelaide Architect Mr. Quinton Bruce, and re-opened in late February, 1919, SLSA |
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| Wallaroo Football Club, Senior Premiers in 1900, SA, SLSA |
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| Wallaroo (west side), S.A. 1906, Kaye |
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| Annual Regatta at Wallaroo, S.A. - 1906, Kaye |
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| Globe Hotel, Wallaroo, South Australia - very early 1900s, Kaye |
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| Globe Hotel, Wallaroo, S.A. - circa 1907, Proprietor W. Ogilvie. Information from Lins Oz: The original Globe Hotel at Wallaroo was built in 1863 - and was extensively renovated (and adding the upper floor) in 1899, by which time it was owned by the S.A. Brewing Company. William Ogilvie was licensee 1907-1910. Kaye |
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| Post Office, Wallaroo. Postal facilities were initially operated from the general store but in 1865 the Post and Telegraph Office was opened. The new Post Office opened in 1910 is shown in this photograph 1907. SLSA |
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| Walaroo, SAObserver (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 4 January 1908 |
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| Wheat stores and smelters, Walaroo, SAObserver (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 4 January 1908, |
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| WALLAROO BAND CONTEST, SA, (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 27 November 1909 |
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| Drum Major Symons, of the Tramway Trust Band, and Willie Strongman, Kettle |
Drummer of the Wallaroo Band (the tallest and shortest taking part in the contest. (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 27 November 1909
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| Wheat Stacks, Wallaroo, South Australia circa 1910, Kaye |
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| Australia Wallaroo Mines Federal Band, SA, 1910, PD |
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| Wallaroo showing the Cornucopia Hotel. The proprietor at this time was Mrs Elizabeth D Bryden. This hotel in Owen Terrace existed since 1862. This two storey hotel is located in the heart of Wallaroo. The flag on the hotel is at half-mast. The store of JC Hissey is also shown. 1910. SLSA |
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| THE GOVERNOR AT THE WALLAROO SCHOOL. SA (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 15 April 1911 |
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| WALLAROO S.MELTERS-; AND PHOSPHATE WORKS. SA (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 15 April 1911 |
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| Owen Terrace, Wallaroo, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 15 April 1911 |
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| Wallaroo Rowing Club, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 15 June 1912 |
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| Members of the nursing staff, Wallaroo Hospital, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 3 February 1912 |
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| WALLAROO LADIES' HOCKEY TEAM. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 28 September 1912 |
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| CHURCH OF CHRIST, WALLAROO, SA. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 27 December 1913 |
WWI
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| Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Friday 7 August 1914, |
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| Jetty, Wallaroo, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 1 August 1914 |
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| New station at Wallaroo, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 23 May 1914, |
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| Shipping at Wallaroo jetty, 1914, SLSA |
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| B73094 Joseph Constantine South Australians of World War I : Share their story Service number 1525 Private Joseph Constantine was born at Wallaroo, South Australia, on 6 June 1876. He enlisted at Adelaide, South Australia, on 10 September 1915 and served in the 9th Light Horse Regiment. He was discharged in 1916 due to medical reasons. SLSA |
The current railway
station was built, in the American Art Nouveau style, in 1914 as a replacement for the older station, which was demolished in 1926.
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| For many years the Point Pierce Mission 'Station has been under the management of the Yorke's Peninsulas Aboriginal people. Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931)1915 |
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| Wallaroo Smelting Works: Converter plant., SA, 1916, SLSA |
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THE LATE PRIVATE W. RANCLAUD. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Ranclaud, of Wallaroo, have been informed that their second son, Private William Ranclaud, of the 50th Battalion, had been killed in
action on April 2. Private Ranclaud was just over 20 years of age, and was amongst the youngest recruits from Wallaroo, The late Private W. Rancload.ing the colors at the age of 19 years. He
was born in Wallaroo, and educated at the Sisters of St. Joseph school. He was in the employ of the Wallaroo and Mount Lyell Company. His brother, Private James Ranclaud, is serving in France. Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 12 May 1917 |
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| WALLAROO SWIMIMING TEAM, 1918 ,,-,J. WILLIS. E. BUCIK.F. BRADLEY. S. MAJOR. J. BIRADLEY. (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) |
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| Before and after teh fire at Wallaroo Town Hall, SA, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 5 January 1918 |
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| Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), Saturday 7 June 1919 |
1920s
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| Tennis party from Wallaroo, South Australia- circa 1920, Kaye |
In 1920 the population was at 5,000.
By 1923, Wallaroo was the second biggest port in South Australia, after Adelaide. However, low copper prices forced the closure of the smelters in 1923, and they never re-opened.
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| Busy day at Wallaroo, SA, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 5 April 1924 |
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| Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 30 May 1925 |
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| Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Tuesday 3 August 1926 |
1930s
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| ] Panoramic view of Wallaroo from a high place showing shops on Owen Terrace, with other town buildings and smelters. The bay can be seen in the background. 1932, SLSA |
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| Panoramic view of Wallaroo, showing town buildings with the Railway station in foreground. The Wallaroo Jetty and a large cargo ship can be seen in the background. 1932, SLSA |
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| Main Street, Wallaroo is a port town and part of South Australia's Copper Triangle. This photograph depicts a prosperous country town with the main street full of parked cars and people gathering to chat in front of the various shops and businesses. The road leads to the sea which can be seen in the distance. 1933, SLSA |
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| Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Monday 18 October 1937 |
A unique type of South Australian cricket was played – Electric Light Cricket – invented by Alf Stone of Cowandilla and patented in 1933, the game was played at night on a small enclosed area with its own set of rules.
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| Wallaroo Women's Electric Light Cricket Association, SA, Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 9 April 1937 |
1940s and WW1
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Wallaroo Man, Tobruk Casualty Pte. Fred Paterson. of the A.I.F., a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Paterson. Wallaroo,' has been wounded ai Tobruk. He was a scholar of Kadina Memorial High School, and is one of four brothers who have enlisted for overseas service. Although the main body of Australians has been transferred elsewhere from Tobruk, there is still a small token force there. (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 6 December 1941 |
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| The Wallaroo Welsh Congregational Church, Sa, 1943 (its foundation stone was laid 3 Sep 1866 by Mrs Leyshon Jones) |
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| Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Wednesday 8 March 1944 |
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| Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 9 September 1948 |
1950s
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| PICTURED here are male staff members of the Wallaroo Clothing Company. They are cutters and pressers and with them is factory manager, Mr. A. Dickson (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 10 August 1950 |
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THE Wallaroo branch of the Country Women's Association is strongly represented by these members
who are (at back from left) Mesdames H. R. Steer, G. W. Bennett, A. M. Grillett, E. C. O'Donnell,
L. May, J. H. Dawson, (front) Mesdames J. Doyle (vice president), K. Thomas (secretary), A. G.Clarke (president). Miss J. Harbison (vice-president) and Mrs. S. Smith (conductor of choir). (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 10 August 1950 |
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THE Wallaroo Clothing Company took over the buildings of the old WallarooHospital during Hie last
World War and as present employs more than 100 young people from Wallaroo and surrounding districts. Pictured here are girls who work in the company's trouser section. In front is Mrs. L. White
(forewoman). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 10 August 1950 |
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HERE is another group of workers at Wallaroo-Mr. Lyeil Fertilisers Ltd. — the biggest local industry.
RIGHT — The office staff of Walloroo-Mt. Lyell Fertilisers Ltd. which includes (at back from left)
Messrs. H. McCartney, A. H. Schroder, R. L. Nottage (accountant), J. H. McCullock (works manager),
G. E. Lawson, (middle row) V. H. Bowcn, D. R. Hann, Miss M. L. Schroder, Messrs. R. L. McArthur,
G. Richards, (front) P. Errington, R. Garland, W. D. Patman (chief chemist), R. Partison, M. J. Boase,R. E. O. Diedrich (chief engineer).Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 10 August 1950 |
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Oh Friday evening last, the body of the Wallaroo town hall was well filled with local •citizens and visitors for the Dedication and Handing-over Ceremony in connection with the recently acquired Jubilee Ambulance. Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), Thursday 29 May 1952 |
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IN the A grade basketball. Point Pearce defeated Booborowie 21 goals to 1 . In a B gradematch. Port Victoria defeated Point Pearce 4 goals to 1 . Trophy winners in trie A grade matchwere Betty Oewhurst (Booborowie) and Eila Weerra (Point Pearce). B grade trophy winners were Ella Davey (Port Victoria) and Ada Newchureh (Point Pearce). (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 1 October 1953 |
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POINT PEARCE this year won the football premiership of the YorkeValley Association.
Booborowie were also premiers in their association, but the Missionteam (above) was too good
for Booborowie (below) and defeated them 13.8 to 9.6. Point Pearce Colts defeated Booborowie
Colts 6.6 to 4.4. Trophies presented by the Minister of Lands- (Mr. Hincks) for the best players
in the main match were woi. by E. A. Wanganeen (Point Pearce) and Ron Thompson t Boo-
borowie I. Trophies for best place men were won by K. Warrior (Point Pearce) and F. Cousins Booborowie). Best players in the Colts' march were D. Chester (Point Pearce) and Ken Bruce
(Booborowie) (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 1 October 1953 |
1970s
June 18, 1978, the Wallaroo Welsh Congregational Church closed.
Around Wallaroo
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| Wallaroo Church of Christ, SA.Foundation stone 27 Aug 1913 by Mrs E J Killmier, opened 14 Dec 1913 on corner Owen & May Sts, closed 1958, sold to Princess Royal Masonic Lodge |
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| The 1865 limestone building which was the town’s first post office and now museum, Wallaroo, SA |
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| Wallaroo Town Hall and War Memorial Arch. The Town Hall was built in 1902 and was gutted by fire in 1917 with only the external walls left standing. It was remodelled under the supervision of Adelaide Architect Mr. Quinton Bruce, and re-opened in late February, 1919, Wallaroo, SA |
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| The 1914 Wallaroo Railway Station was built in American Art Nouveau style. SA |
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| Sonbern Lodge Motel First opened in 1915, Wallaroo, SA |
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| This building in Owen Terrace, Wallaroo, SA, was built in 1864 and traded as "W.C. Eland's Wallaroo Bonded Stores |
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| Building was Pentecostal church 1935, later Assemblies of God. Wallaroo SA. Since 2013, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox church |
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| The Wallaroo Soldiers Memorial stands in front of the Town Hall, dedicated 1924, Joanna Day |
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| Wallaroo. Yorke Peninsula. The old Police Station built in 1862. It closed as a station in 1972. Denisbin |
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| The Cornucopia Hotel is located in the heart of Wallaroo, SA |
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| Wallaroo, SA |
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Wallaroo Waterside Workers' Hall officially opened, 24 January 1908. Yorke Peninsula, South Australia | | Old cells behind the police station, Wallaroo, SA |
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Things Top Do and Places To Go
Wallaroo Historical Town Walk
The Kernewek Lowender Copper Coast Cornish Festival
HERITAGE AND NAUTICAL MUSEUM
“Kernewek Lowender” (Cornish happiness) festival every second year throughout the Copper Triangle.
