Mt Pleasant District History

03/05/2026

We set up a display in the meeting room at the Mount Pleasant Barossa Library, with banners and some items from the History Room which people may not have known we have for viewing. However, although this was booked we have now been asked to remove the items and the banners will be on display throughout the library. This means that my planned Free Draw for a copy of The Quiet Waters By, is not longer viable. My plan was to gain some insight into how many people would view the display and be rewarded for a chance for a copy of a 'hard to come by' history book. I apologise if you had planned a visit... you will still be able to see some of our efforts, but sadly, not appreciate the effort that goes into the development of the banners and booklets we are happy to share. Our History Room runs purely on donations so this opportunity to 'advertise' was appreciated, although now it is coming up short. We are open each Thursday afternoon, or by appointment if this doesn't suit. Hopefully you will find a time to visit our History Room soon.

01/05/2026

Sometimes, history throws up the most amazing tales.

30/04/2026

30/04/2026

Don't forget - for all those clamouring for a copy of "The Quiet Waters By", Paula is running a FREE raffle for all those who pop in to check out the display during the History Festival!!

30/04/2026

Paula set up the display in the Library this afternoon.
Sticking to the History Festival theme of 'Connections' Paula has gathered information about some of the early settlers, soldiers, buildings and strong women.
We are trialling a new way of giving people access to our collection during History Festival. The opening hours are the same as the Library. Please note that the Library will be closed on the 5th may, but reopen on the 6th.

28/04/2026

Catharine Schofield was the proprietor of the Totness Inn for 28 years after her husband died in 1869, after an accident that threw him from his trap into the stone wall of the Inn, hitting his head. The property was left to Catharine and she continued the business, possibly with the help of her daughter and grandsons.
To find out more of her story, visit the display at the Mount Pleasant Barossa Library during business hours in May, and view the banner we have created, and the booklet we have produced telling a little of the Schofield history.
While there you can enter a FREE DRAW for a copy of the local history book, The Quiet Waters By, by Reg Butler. Just leave us your name and contact details in the 'raffle book' provided.

27/04/2026

Interesting piece relevant to the display on Anzac Day

The cost of war is profound. Over 3,000 Australian nurses served in WWI alongside the ANZACS. They worked in confronting conditions, often close to frontlines, overwhelmed with casualties and horrific injuries.
While the term 'shellshocked' became used for returning men, trauma carried by the nurses was hidden and dismissed for decades.
Read more in the ANMJ - https://bit.ly/3QjW8gh

25/04/2026

The Anzac Dawn Service this morning was very well attended, and for a small town of around 1,000, getting half that number is amazing. Paula set up a display of cards which contained the bios of those from the district who served. These were dotted around the hall, which made it a little hard to photograph, together with pull up biographies of other people who served. Former resident Hazel Wilton's uniform was also on display - but sadly ther person charged with getting that photo failed badly!
There will be a history display in the Library during the History Festival.