If Walls Could Talk
Explore the story of a 160-year-old South Australian farmhouse, offering a glimpse into our domestic history through the lens of photographer and artist Alexandra McOrist.
Two rural family farmhouses now lie empty. The houses were inhabited by generations of the same settler families for over 160 years - from 1850 until 2013.
While few personal effects remain and nature is beginning to reclaim the structures we can still clearly see, through careful observation, aspects of personal domestic life.
Two farmhouses witnessing South Australian history
Built in the 1850s, the houses have witnessed almost the entire history of South Australia from colonisation, to modern times.
'The best and worst of times', features images and text from The West Australian, 22 October 1952 and the Chronicle, 22 April 1954
'The best and worst of times', features images and text from The West Australian, 22 October 1952 and the Chronicle, 22 April 1954
Red Gum Farm and Home Farm did not house rich or important figures from society, yet the farmers and their families, and others like them, were pivotal in the building and prosperity of the Australia.
'Never Underestimate', featuring a country girl magazine cover from The Australian Women’s Weekly, 4 April 1936
'Never Underestimate', featuring a country girl magazine cover from The Australian Women’s Weekly, 4 April 1936
The domestic details and concerns of our settlers can appear trivial amongst world or national events, but the living history they provide still shapes our own personal lives and experiences.
Using newspapers and periodicals to breathe life into the images
To breathe life back into the two farmhouses, excerpts from newspapers and periodicals, that are contemporaneous with the family life of these farmhouses, are incorporated into each image.
'Volunteers Rally Round', featuring an image from the State Library's collection of the Royal Oak Hotel at Tothill Creek, c1890. SLSA: B 40571 and text from the Adelaide Observer , 25 October 1862
'Volunteers Rally Round', featuring an image from the State Library's collection of the Royal Oak Hotel at Tothill Creek, c1890. SLSA: B 40571 and text from the Adelaide Observer , 25 October 1862
The excerpts within the images cover subjects of direct relevance to the families and were sourced from local, statewide, and interstate newspapers held by the State Library of South Australia.
'Reap the Rewards', features text from the Adelaide Observer, 25 December 1875 and two images from the State Library collection: Ridley’s Reaping Machine, c1846. SLSA: B 8586 and Papers relating to Ridley’s Reaping Machine. SLSA: PRG 1043/3/2/1-4
'Reap the Rewards', features text from the Adelaide Observer, 25 December 1875 and two images from the State Library collection: Ridley’s Reaping Machine, c1846. SLSA: B 8586 and Papers relating to Ridley’s Reaping Machine. SLSA: PRG 1043/3/2/1-4
Topics cover immigration, agricultural innovation, advertising, health, weather, transport, war, and entertainment. It will be evident that the style of prose changes over time and articles do not always conform to the socially accepted sensibilities of today.
Imagining their lives
'Tug of war', featuring an article in the Kadina and Wallaroo Times, 17 March 1920
'Tug of war', featuring an article in the Kadina and Wallaroo Times, 17 March 1920
'Better together', featuring an article in the Critic (Adelaide), 13 May 1899, p12, Adelaide Observer, 14 July 1900, p24
'Better together', featuring an article in the Critic (Adelaide), 13 May 1899, p12, Adelaide Observer, 14 July 1900, p24
'Bad deeds', featuring articles in the Adelaide Observer, 3 April 1847, p5, The South Australian Weekly Chronicle, 30 March 1861, p4
'Bad deeds', featuring articles in the Adelaide Observer, 3 April 1847, p5, The South Australian Weekly Chronicle, 30 March 1861, p4
Happy Days
In 1939, the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies announced, on every national and commercial radio station in Australia, the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the Second World War
The latest local news would be broadcast by the stations and the Ministry of Information would convey wartime news.
Families would gather round the radio in war and peace time to listen together and a variety of programs were made to appeal to different generations.
Program schedules were published in specialist weekly publications such as The South Australian Radio Call.
What’s on in 1940 ? Tune into 5AN and you could hear “Dinner music” at 6pm.
Tune into 5DN Adelaide and you could hear “Happy Days” - a half-hour live broadcast show with gags and music at 9pm each evening.
This image features images and text from the publication The South Australian Radio Call, 21 February 1940, p17.
'Home sewn style in the 1930’s', featuring images from The Australian Woman’s Weekly, Our fashion service and free pattern, 30 March 1935, p43
'Home sewn style in the 1930’s', featuring images from The Australian Woman’s Weekly, Our fashion service and free pattern, 30 March 1935, p43
'Ready to wear in the 1950’s', featuring images from The Australian Woman’s Weekly, 9 September 1950, p11
'Ready to wear in the 1950’s', featuring images from The Australian Woman’s Weekly, 9 September 1950, p11
'Practical choice', featuring images from The Australian Woman’s Weekly, 9 September 1950, p83
'Practical choice', featuring images from The Australian Woman’s Weekly, 9 September 1950, p83
Showing the Way
On the 18 December 1894 South Australia was the second place in the world, after New Zealand, to give women the electoral vote.
Polling Day article featured in the Northern Argus (Clare), 24 April 1896, p2
The Adult Suffrage Act also allowed women to stand for parliament, making South Australia the first place in the world to do so, and gave men and women equal political rights.
The first opportunity for women to vote came in the election of 1896. Sixty six percent of the colony’s women ventured out to vote that day, a higher percentage than the less assiduous men.
'Syrups, cordials and quackery', featuring articles in the Evening Journal, 27 March 1896, p4 (London Dental Institute), South Australian Register, 25 March 1898, p3 (Coca Wine), Kadina and Wallaroo Times, 19 July 1899, p3 (Polypathic Clinic, North Terrace, Adelaide), Kapunda Herald, 4 January 1901, p1 (Beecham’s Pills, Rose’s Celebrated Eye Lotion), Advertiser, 14 January 1910, p9 (Rexona The Rapid Healer), Advertiser, 14 July 1914, p11 (Hudson’s Jujubes), The Register, 1 May 1915, p13 (Hearn’s Bronchitus Cure), Narracoorte Herald, 22 May 1917, p4 (Narracoote Hospital lists)
'Syrups, cordials and quackery', featuring articles in the Evening Journal, 27 March 1896, p4 (London Dental Institute), South Australian Register, 25 March 1898, p3 (Coca Wine), Kadina and Wallaroo Times, 19 July 1899, p3 (Polypathic Clinic, North Terrace, Adelaide), Kapunda Herald, 4 January 1901, p1 (Beecham’s Pills, Rose’s Celebrated Eye Lotion), Advertiser, 14 January 1910, p9 (Rexona The Rapid Healer), Advertiser, 14 July 1914, p11 (Hudson’s Jujubes), The Register, 1 May 1915, p13 (Hearn’s Bronchitus Cure), Narracoorte Herald, 22 May 1917, p4 (Narracoote Hospital lists)
'Country fun', featuring articles from The Northern Argus (Clare), 14 April 1882, p2 and The Northern Argus (Clare), 24 April 1896, p2
'Country fun', featuring articles from The Northern Argus (Clare), 14 April 1882, p2 and The Northern Argus (Clare), 24 April 1896, p2
'Make do and mend', featuring an article in the Southern Argus (Port Elliot), 7 December 1944, p4
'Make do and mend', featuring an article in the Southern Argus (Port Elliot), 7 December 1944, p4
Healthcare Pioneer
Dr Gertrude Halley (1867-1939) was a driving force in the development and provision of healthcare for children. She was one of the first women to graduate from Melbourne University with a medical degree (1896) and became an accomplished eye and ear specialist.
She was chosen in 1913 to establish the first medical branch of the Education Department in South Australia. She believed in educating parents in health and hygiene and pioneered special needs teaching.
She witnessed significant improvements in childhood mortality, particularly after the commencement of vaccination.
The history of vaccine introduction in Australia shows steady progress in fighting once-common killer diseases to a point where most people are now unfamiliar with them.
Vaccines for smallpox (1804), tetanus (1925), whooping cough (1925), and diphtheria (1927), became powerful disease prevention tools. Community based immunisation (often in schools) for these diseases began in 1932, with polio (1956), measles (1969), and other vaccines following.
Photograph featuring text from the Areas’ Express, 19 January 1934, p2 and the Advertiser, 2 October 1939, p1.
'New rhythms', featuring text and images from the Australian Woman’s Weekly, 28 March 1936, p2. Music formed an important part of entertainment and socialising in rural areas.
'New rhythms', featuring text and images from the Australian Woman’s Weekly, 28 March 1936, p2. Music formed an important part of entertainment and socialising in rural areas.
'News across the airwaves', featuring images from the Australian Woman’s Weekly, Homemaker Section, 8 June 1940, p6
'News across the airwaves', featuring images from the Australian Woman’s Weekly, Homemaker Section, 8 June 1940, p6
'Cut a sporting dash', featuring an article in The Register, 2 April 1915, p2 and an image of James S Pearce, Kapunda Football Club, 1879. SLSA: B 7437
'Cut a sporting dash', featuring an article in The Register, 2 April 1915, p2 and an image of James S Pearce, Kapunda Football Club, 1879. SLSA: B 7437
We’re Made for Working
R.M. Williams was born into a pioneering settler family in South Australia. He became widely known for creating a distinctively Australian style of bush attire. In 1932, he had a small factory running in his father’s shed, which later expanded into a major international business.
This image features an advertisement for RM William boots in the Chronicle, 5 January 1950, p8.
His handcrafted riding boots consisted of a single piece of leather that was stitched at the rear of the boot and incorporated elastic at the sides. They were made to be practical, hard-working boots.
The boots in this image are indeed RM Williams and were worn on the farm by the last resident farmer.
'The prophesy line', featuring articles in the Observer, 10 February 1906, p35, Wickepin Argus, 12 May 1927, p3, and Port Lincoln Times, 20 May 1932, p6.
'The prophesy line', featuring articles in the Observer, 10 February 1906, p35, Wickepin Argus, 12 May 1927, p3, and Port Lincoln Times, 20 May 1932, p6.
'Uncertain hero', featuring articles in the Yorke’s Penninsula Advertiser, 7 December 1900, p3, and the Narracourt Herald, 8 April 1902, p4, as well as a photograph of Boer War Soldiers, c1900. SLSA: B 25167
'Uncertain hero', featuring articles in the Yorke’s Penninsula Advertiser, 7 December 1900, p3, and the Narracourt Herald, 8 April 1902, p4, as well as a photograph of Boer War Soldiers, c1900. SLSA: B 25167
'Taking care', A farm’s viability depends on mechanically sound equipment and all livestock and horses being fit and healthy. Featuring articles from the Northern Argus (Clare), 24 March 1874, p3, Northern Argus (Clare), 21 February 1896, p2 and Northern Argus (Clare), 5 August 1904, p4
'Taking care', A farm’s viability depends on mechanically sound equipment and all livestock and horses being fit and healthy. Featuring articles from the Northern Argus (Clare), 24 March 1874, p3, Northern Argus (Clare), 21 February 1896, p2 and Northern Argus (Clare), 5 August 1904, p4
Makes You Loveable
In the mid-20th Century one of the featured farms, Home Farm, installed pipework from outdoor rainwater tanks through to the kitchen and a bathroom.
Featuring an article in The Australian Women’s Weekly, Portfolio of Fashion and Beauty, 8 June 1940, p6.
The stove predates the bathroom by at least 40 years.
This bathroom consisted of an outdoor lean-to construction of corrugated iron, accessed via an external porch.
Having a hot bath with sweet-smelling soap must have been welcome after a hard day’s work.
In contrast, there is no evidence that the residents of the Red Gum Farm ever felt the need for a separate bathroom.
About the Artist
An accomplished, multi-award winning and sought after photographer, Alexandra 'Sandi' McOrist, who hails from Scotland, lived for a time in Adelaide and returns frequently to work on creative projects.
One such project is this heartfelt series of photographs, called If Walls Could Talk.
Through her generosity in allowing us to use her photographs we can now bring this wonderful story about one hundred and sixty years in a South Australian farmhouse to life again.
Acknowledgements by the artist
Alexandra McOrist thanks the farm owners for introducing her to the farmhouses and giving her permission to photograph them. Their friendship, help, knowledge and consideration were invaluable and much appreciated.
Historical research for this series of photographs was made possible by the superb online search facility of the National Library of Australia's TROVE, which includes South Australian newspapers from the State Library of South Australia's collection.
Alexandra thanks the State Library of South Australia for their kindness and courtesy in helping her with research and for their great enthusiasm for the project.
Copyright Notice
Photographs, text and design copyright ©Alexandra L McOrist 2021 and ©State Library of South Australia
All rights reserved. No part of this exhibition may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Alexandra L McOrist.
The photographic images featured may be offered as Limited Edition Photographic Prints, each numbered and signed by the author.
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