Gumeracha and District History Centre members last week toured historic places in the town of Mount Torrens guided by local member and historian, Kym Clark. Some of the Highlights were to visit the St. Georges Anglican Church – kindly opened and escorted by Mrs. Gwen Turner, the Mt. Torrens Uniting Church, the Mt. Torrens Hall and the history of the early pioneers and the buildings in this most historic township. Continue reading Gumeracha & District History Centre Members Tour Mt Torrens →

The new Top of the Torrens Theatre group production of ‘BARNYS FAIR’ has uncovered more local talent with the inclusion of performers from Birdwood High School, Felicity Miller and Lauren Campbell, plus Tess Varney from Birdwood Primary School.

The girls came to rehearsal to be part of the chorus but have shown such talent that they are now included in the character parts. In this, TOTT’s 21st production, we find ourselves in an Old English Fairground run by the O’Shea family, Barney, his mother Grannie, his wife Irene, and their daughter Cathy. Continue reading New faces for T.O.T.T. →

Well known Hills/Barossa artist Ros Dickenson and author/publisher Glenda Couch-Keen have successfully sold out, in less than a year, their sunshine happy pony book Penny Down Under- Australia’s Tribute to Thelwell. Launched by Olympic equestrian Gillian Rolton at the Adelaide International Horse Trials last November, all but a few of the one thousand hand signed limited edition hard cover copies have gone ‘to good homes’. Continue reading Pony Book Sell-out Success →

Local cattle stud, Gathbodhan Cattle, from Kersbrook, had great success at this years Strathalbyn Show, and showed the Southern Hills region just how good it is in the North.

Taking both Male and Female Champions in the Highland Classes, they then also moved on to the Interbreed section and came home with Reserve Champion Interbreed Male, Reserve Champion Interbreed Female and Champion Interbreed Pair. Continue reading Local Breeders Show Southern Success →

The Gumeracha Primary School will kick off its 150th Celebrations on Friday, October 19th, 2007, with a School Open Day starting at 11am. Assembly will be at 12.30pm for a parents, grandparents, old scholars and friends tour of the facilities and special student assembly with presentations by classes.

The Celebrations will continue on Saturday, October 20th, with a Reunion Programme commencing at 11.30am and running to 3.30pm. The Programme will include old scholars registration, the 150 years commemoration ceremony, a B.B.Q. luncheon, school visit and roll call, a display by the Gumeracha and District History Centre Inc. and orders will be taken for a special commemorative edition of the Torrens Valley Historical Journal devoted to the Gumeracha School. Continue reading Gumeracha Primary School 150 year Celebrations 1857 – 2007 →

Birdwood High School won seven ribbons recently in the Schools Led Steer competition at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Two ribbons were won in the show ring: On the Hoof; the Limousin steer winning a fourth place ribbon and the Murray Grey winning a fifth place. But the Limousin scooped the pool to win 5 ribbons in the carcase competition including the T&R Pastoral Prize for Champion Domestic Carcase; Highest Scoring Domestic Carcase in both schools and open breed and the T&R Pastoral Trophy for the Grand Champion Carcase of the show. Continue reading Birdwood wins Grand Champion Carcase →

Winners of the jumper raffle for the ‘Back to Back’ Challenge which was held on September 2nd and drawn by Michael Willoughby (pictured) at the Heart of the Hills Market were: 1st prize winner, M. Walker of Woodville; 2nd prize winner, Nicola of Kingswood and 3rd prize winner, B. Noack of Ridgehaven.

The jumper raised $230.00 for cancer research!

The ‘Back to Back’ Challenge was held earlier in the year and the Gumeracha Spinners’ team ‘Gumeracha Gumknutters’ made a new club record by spinning and knitting the jumper in 7 hours, 55 minutes and 48 seconds!!

The sheep were shorn by Frank Jacob of Littlehampton using blade shears. The Gumknutters now have a real challenge on their hands to try and beat this time next year!!