Strathalbyn & District
Heritage Centre,
South Australia.
The Strathalbyn
and District Heritage Centre is in the former police station (built 1858)
and courthouse (added in 1867). Features include several rooms
set out in the style of the Victorian era, a room reflecting changes
in health care over the years, and a courtyard with very high
stone walls. From the courtyard, one can access the three jail
cells. Displays in the recently refurbished courtroom focus upon
the lives of the original inhabitants and upon the settlers who
first came to the district. The Scottish influence is emphasised.
In the yard is an extensive
collection of farm machinery from the past, including an excellent
example of a furphy, a blacksmith's shop, horse drawn vehicles
and exhibits centering on the history of the local Emergency Services.
Recent notable additions are an original horseworks - restored
lovingly back to working order by a team of dedicated volunteers and the world-beating solar cycle, The Solar Flare.
The Centre also holds a large collection of books, photographs
and newspaper accounts of people and past events in Strathalbyn,
most of which can be made available to researchers for a very
reasonable fee.Alternatively,
the research can be done for you by Centre staff - also at a very
reasonable rate. The Centre welcomes groups, and guided tours
are available. We are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays & School
Holidays or upon request.
The Centre opens at 1.30pm and remains
open until 4.00pm on the days mentioned. Please note that our very special evening tours (under lights) can be arranged by contacting the Secretary on 83889889.
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Solar Flare 10 Year Reunion - June 2nd 2012
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The world-beating solar-assisted bike Solar Flare, was designed and built by senior students undertaking VET (trade) courses at the Eastern Fleurieu 7-12 Campus in Strathalbyn, South Australia.
In 2001, the Flare won the World Solar Challenge Solar Bicycle Race from Alice Springs to Adelaide then in 2002 it was entered in and easily won two world class events in the USA.
The Strathalbyn Heritage Centre now holds the Solar Flare. We value the Flare not just for its achievements, but also for the remarkable story of its construction and the way in which the whole community got behind the venture to help to ensure its success.
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the Solar Flare's wins in the USA and the Heritage Centre has offered to host a reunion for all of those involved.
With the active help of the Eastern Fleurieu teachers and parents who were most closely involved in the venture, our volunteers have painstakingly reconstructed the whole story and have contracted a professional design consultant to produce what promises to be an absolutely outstanding display. The thumbnails above offer tiny glimpses from three of the eleven large display boards.
The Solar Flare display is to be launched as a major part of the June 2012 celebrations. During April, Heritage Centre volunteers will send out invitations to those who had a part to play in the venture - to students involved in the Solar Flare's construction,, riders, sponsors, support crew, those who lobbied on behalf of the venture, the teachers who drove the whole process; in fact, anyone who made a significant contribution.
On June 2nd 2012, the Heritage Centre will host a reunion for those involved in creating the remarkable story that is the Solar Flare. Highlights will include a one hour DVD presntation that includes interviews with Bill Kelton, David Jennings and Bob Heath and the launching of the Heritage Centre's Solar Flare display. Visitors are also welcome to wander through all areas of the Centre and to catch up with old friends and acquaintances over a light luncheon. After all, catching up and re-living the adventure is the whole point of the day!
Music for the DVDs provided courtesy of Music Revolution.
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Entry |
Adult |
$6.00 |
| Concession |
$4.00 |
| Student 16 & over |
$4.00 |
| Children 6-15 |
$2.00 |
| Children 5 & under |
free |
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