Treasures
Benham Bookcase
A 19th century Australian cedar colonial bookcase, the upper portion with moulded cornice, four glazed doors enclosing shelves, surmounted by carved C scrolls, flower and foliage ornaments, lower portion with moulded fronts to the drawers and semi-shield shape applied panels to the doors.
Calvert Flag
Flag used in an expedition led by L. A. Wells, of Adelaide, which left for the Fitzroy River in June, 1896, from Cue, W.A. The expedition was equipped by A. F. Calvert and sent out under the auspices of the Society. C. F. Wells and G. L. Jones perished and the expedition flag was used to cover their coffins.
Canteen - used on Stuart's 5th expedition
The canteens were used to carry water, strapped to saddles, and only used sparingly during the day in case the party had to camp without finding a water source. Stuart’s men had to ask his permission to drink while on the trek.
Found in 1871, abandoned where W Masters had dropped it on a track between Barrow and Tennant creeks.
The canteens were of interest to First Nations People who reportedly had never seen metal before and tried to gather them up at Kekwick’s Ponds in June 1860.
Colonial Dining Table and Chairs
A 19th century Australian cedar colonial dining table with oblong extending top with slightly D-shape ends, including seven leaves, five turned and fluted legs (one of which is to centre), with brass castors to feet, c. 1860, 473 cm over-all length. A set of nine mid-Victorian mahogany dining chairs, each with oval back surmounted by carved scroll and foliage ornament, turned front legs with carved acanthus decorated knees, hide covers to seat and back, c. 1865. The chairs were refurbished in 1985, the table was refurbished in 2002.
Early South Australian Currency and Medals.
Descriptions of individual items are included in the case.
Fragment of Sturt’s Boat.
On a part of the boat which Sturt carried on his Northern Expedition, leaving Adelaide in August, 1844, is the following description: “Portion of boat taken by Captain Charles Sturt into the interior of Australia. He arrived at Depot Glen on 27 January, 1845, and left on 17 July – after enduring great hardship from want of water. The boat was left in the waterhole and was found in a tree 40 feet from the ground.”
Fragments of the Tablet Erected by Flinders at Port Lincoln, Feb., 1802.
To commemorate the death of eight of his men at Port Lincoln, Flinders inscribed a copper plaque. As he described it: “I therefore caused an inscription to be engraven upon a sheet of copper and set up on a stout post at the head of the cove, which I named Memory Cove . . .”‘
Gill’s “Coinage of South Australia”. MSS and Published Book.
Thomas Gill, of Glen Osmond, was Under Treasurer of S.A. from 1894 to 1920 and Treasurer of the Society for many years. The Society published this manuscript as a supplement to Vol. 13 of the Proceedings. It is regarded as important source material on early currency, the Gold Escort Route, and the Bullion Act.
Growth cut from tree marked by Gosse
W.H Tietkins (explorer) cut it out in 1890 at Camp 6, Stevenson Peak, Peterman Ranges N. T. (G and S mirror image).
Information about Gosse's expedition can be found in Read More
Source RGSSA R38
Lewis's Leather Dispatch Bag - "Pony Express"
With the OVERLAND TELEGRAPH construction running behind time and with a 420km gap between the ends, Charles Todd, Superintendent of the Overland Telegraph, offered the ESTAFETTE CONTRACT to John Lewis, who agreed to meet Ray Parkin Boucaut and travel to Daly Waters. During this ride they formed the “Pony Express” to carry messages between the two ever closing ends of the Overland Telegraph Line thereby maintaining the telegraph link from Adelaide to Darwin and then England. A series of camps with fresh horses were stationed across the gap.
Day by day the rides were shortened until the wires of the telegraph were joined on 22nd August 1872 at Frew’s Ponds, some 90km South of Daly Waters.
Source RGSSA R46 donated by John Lewis
Light’s Surveying Equipment.
Colonel William Light was appointed Surveyor-General of South Australia in 1836 with the commission to select a site for the capital city. He was thus the Founder of Adelaide, and the following are some of the equipment he used in his profession – a tripod, dumpy level and surveyor’s staff.
Newland Map Cabinet
An Australian oak map chest with six full width drawers. It bears an engraved silver plate inscribed: ‘A memorial to Major V. M. Newland, O.B.E., M.C., D.C.M., 1954.’ V. M. Newland was President of the Society in 1936-37.
Piece of Pemmican
In 1872 Colonel Peter Egerton- Warburton led an exploratory party of 7 men and 17 camels (from Beltana). They departed Alice Springs in 1873, crossed the Great Sandy Desert and survived extreme heat and lack of water by killing the camels and drying their meat. They arrived at Oakover river 1300km north of Perth with Warburton strapped to one of two remaining camels. The party suffered from scurvy and Warburton had lost sight in one eye. They reached Roebourne and returned to Adelaide by ship in 1874
Source RGSSA R100 View More below for recipe
Portrait of Colonel Light
A portrait on canvas by George A. J. Webb, “Colonel Light,” signed and dated 1904,60 x 50 cm, in gilded gesso frame encrusted with oak leaves and acorns. Presented by the Hon. John Lewis.
Presidents Chair
This throne, made entirely of Australian blackwood and upholstered in Australian leather by Messrs. Pengelley & Co., of Edwardstown, was offered to the Society as a gift in June, 1927, by the then President of the Society, Mr. A. A. Simpson.
Stuart's Table
A simple writing table with moulded rim and drawer was made by Stuart while working for James Sinclair at Green Patch Station Pt Lincoln in 1854. Donald Sinclair said that this table was used by Stuart when teaching him and his siblings to read and write.
Source RGSSA R81 donated by S. Sinclair
Stuart’s Chair
This folding chair was made by Stuart while working for James Sinclair at Green Patch Station Pt Lincoln in 1854. It is threaded with kangaroo hide thonging originally made by Stuart. Restoration by Artlab.
Source RGSSA R78 donated by Mr S. Sinclair
Stuart’s Tree
At the termination of his third attempt at crossing the Australian continent between October, 1861-July, 1862, John McDouall Stuart planted a flag on a tree on the shores of Van Diemen’s Gulf overlooking the Indian Ocean. J.M.D.S. was cut into the bark of a large tree, a short way inland.
Sturt’s Cannon
Believed to have been carried by Captain Sturt, on his exploratory voyage down the Murray in 1830 and left with Mr. Williams at Gol Gol sheep station. The cannon was subsequently given to Captain Johnston, whose wife gave it to the Society in 1907. .However, another account maintains that it was carried by Major Mitchell, the explorer, and abandoned at a station on the River Darling.
Sturt’s Flag
Charles Sturt’s (1795-1869) explorations were aimed at solving the problem of the inland-flowing rivers. This is the Union Jack that Sturt unfurled as he entered the Murray from the Murrumbidgee, January, 1830. It was presented to the Society by Captain Geoffrey Sturt and Miss Katherine Sturt, grandchildren of Captain C. Sturt.
Sturt’s Sword.
This is a sword carried by Charles Sturt on his expeditions. It was donated to the Society by A. L. Williams, of Wallumbilla, Queensland.