Monthly Lecture

Books & Bones in the Wheat Fields: Robert Bedford’s South Australian Dream.

Robin Wagner, Dean of the Library, Gettysburg College

Bedford was a community leader, author of significant scientific papers, and an advocate for a free library system in SA. He was a character of the first class.

Robert Bedford was a 20th century scientist, philosopher, inventor and community organiser. Landing in Kyancutta in 1915 he established a library and museum. He also practiced medicine, operated a post office and general store, built a cottage hospital, removed fossils and meteorites from public lands, constructed an aerodrome in the middle of the wheat fields and much more.

Robin Wagner is a librarian who has written articles on Australian subscription libraries and early 20th century book lending services in the Australian Outback. Her research on the influence of the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Munn-Pitt library survey of 1934 led her to discover Robert Bedford and the Kyancutta Museum and Institute. She lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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To help advance the Society’s objectives will you also consider making a tax deductible donation to the Society’s Trust Funds to promote geographical learning?

Yes, I would like to donate to the RGSSA Inc Trusts:

The Royal Geographical Society of South Australia Inc. Trust Funds are to support, sponsor, encourage or promote projects or other activities for scientific study of any or all aspects of geography and/or the educational applications or dissemination of the findings thereof. The funds either provide for growth in our geographical Library knowledge and information services; or are applied to more general geographical activities, awards and scholarship.

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Date and Time

18 March 2027 | 5:30 pm

Location

Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Institue Building

Cost

Members: $5
Non members: $10

Light refreshments availabale fro 5:00 pm