History of Brinkworth
Brinkworth Museum and Historical Reserve
The Museum and Historical Reserve, formally the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, was officially handed over to the community in a special service during the State Jubilee 150 celebrations on 2.11.1986. The museum and reserve is to be preserved, and is managed by, the Brinkworth History Group, a registered member of the History Trust of South Australia
The Collection and State Jubilee 150
The collecting and collating of photographs and material to preserve the history of Brinkworth and surrounding districts began when the Historical Society was formed on 30th April 1984. This lead to the development of a display of photographs and items of historical significance, for the Jubilee 150 Celebrations in 1986 and the official handing over to the community of the former catholic church building, grounds and original contents. Major restoration and painting of the building was undertaken for this event with the help of a local government grant and many hours of dedicated work by volunteers.
Australian Bicentennial Project
Restoration continued with major work being done to the leadlight windows through a bicentennial grant for the Bicentennial Celebrations, held in Brinkworth in October 1988. The leadlight windows were designed and made by E.F. Troy, leadlight artist.
Purchased by Albert and Norman Weckert, road contractors for the Hut and Hill River and Snowtown District Councils.This plough was used to prepare the main street of Brinkworth for bituminising in 1934, as well as work on local roads in the district and is mounted on a cairn of stones collected from the remains of the Angle Grove and Rochester Hotels, Brinkworth Hotel Stables and the Anama Eating House.
Brinkworth Centenary and Book Launch
The Centenary Committee was formed in 1989, and organized the Centenary of the township of Brinkworth, celebrated on the 2nd to the 4th of October, 1992. The celebrations opened with the colorful Centenary Ball and launch of the history book "Magpie Creek Junction: a history of Brinkworth and District". The Centenary Book Committee was formed soon after the Centenary Committee, and compiled and published this history of Brinkworth and District in the hundreds of Boucaut and Hart.
The centenary celebrations included a street parade, activities in the town and a bush dance held on the oval at the Recreation Ground. To conclude the weekend a memorial church service, community lunch and school reunion of past and present students and teachers of the Brinkworth and past surrounding schools was held in the Memorial Hall. Copies of the history book are available via members of the History Group and at Hardy's Deli and Takeaway, Brinkworth.
Brinkworth History Group
In 1993, the Centenary Committee and the Centenary Book Committee disbanded and the Brinkworth History Group was formed to maintain and continue to collect, collate and manage the Brinkworth Museum Collection and the Historical Reserve Grounds. Registration with the State History Centre in 1997 assured the history group of funding through the Museums and Accreditation Grants Program (MAGP) and similar grant funding avenues to assist with the management of the Museum Collection. The History Group continues to receive support from the History Trust of South Australia (HTSA) and in 2006 completed the required re-registration process to remain as a registered museum.
South Australian Federation Grant Funding was received in 2000 to establish the
'Local Flora – Living Herbarium' project to highlight and preserve the unique area of 'senna shrubland' vegetation in the Historical Reserve; the only remnant native vegetation in the town of Brinkworth.
The museum building is maintained from funds raised by the group, and with support from the Wakefield Regional Council. In May 2009, the History Group was granted funding through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program 2008-09 to repair the western wall, roof vents and down pipes of the museum and install a rainwater tank.
Displays and Development
The History Group participates annually in the History Trust of South Australia's state event 'History Week' and coordinates displays and events with various themes each year. The theme for History Week in 2009 is "Brinkworth How it Grew: Part 2" and will include a display of photographs and memorabilia and the collecting of stories relating to the town and district of Brinkworth. Most history week displays can be viewed for the remainder of the year before the display is dismantled and stored.
The Brinkworth Museum Redevelopment Plan is underway with stages 1 and 2 of a four stage program completed.
- Stage 1: The permanent display "Religion in Regional South Australia"
- Stage 2: The installation of infrastructure and storage
The museum primarily focuses on the permanent display "Religion in Regional South Australia", seasonal displays and the collection of photographs, documents and small objects.
Grant Funding
Funding for museum projects over the years has been sourced from:
- Museums and Accreditation and Grants Program (MAGP)
- Community History Fund
- South Australian Federation Grant 2000
- Volunteer Small Equipment Grants
- South Australian History Fund
- Volunteer Grants Program
- Australian Government’s Local Community Infrastructure Grant Program
- Wakefield Regional Council - various
Friends of the Brinkworth History Group
"Friends of the Brinkworth History Group" is by way of a $10 donation annually. This contribution assists with the current project at the time. Currently (2009) repairs are about to commence on the western wall of the museum – thanks to donations from the "Friends" of our history group as well as general fundraising and support from the Wakefield Regional Council. If you are in a position to become a member and/or assist with any other help with the functioning of the museum and surrounds please make contact with the president, secretary or committee member of the history group. (Contact details under Museum Opening Times)
Museum Opening Times
The museum opens on the first Sunday of the month (not January) from 2 – 4 pm. and other times by appointment. Coin donations are gratefully accepted.
For appointment bookings contact:
President Fred Groom Phone 8846 6023
Secretary Helen Weckert Phone 8846 6086
or group members Jenni Heinjus, Barbara Groom, Heather Hancock and Karen Wundke.
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