Port Pirie National Trust Museum

01/05/2026

Final countdown. Don’t be sorry you missed out on this.

06/04/2026

03/04/2026

Don’t miss out. Limited Tickets.

An information session about the infamous Port Pirie Chemical Treatment Plant.

01/04/2026

📜 CALL-OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS - HELP SHAPE OUR SHARED STORY! 📣

As preparations begin for the upcoming Port Pirie SALA Winter Festival and Port Pirie's 150th Anniversary celebrations, we are calling for community members to get involved and support the work of our local History and National Trust groups.

Over the next 6 months, volunteers will play a vital role in research, storytelling, collection support, event planning, and community engagement activities. It all helps to preserve and celebrate Pirie’s history and will contribute to this year’s Winter Festival on August 1st. 🎊

Whether you can contribute regularly or assist with specific projects, your time and knowledge will help ensure our stories are recorded, shared and passed on to future generations. 👪👵👴

No prior experience is required – just an interest in our local history, culture and community. Support and guidance will be provided. ✅

Expressions of interest are welcomed NOW, as we gear up for an exciting period of activity and collaboration!

If interested, give the Port Pirie National Trust Museum a call on 8632 3435 or phone Jack on 0438 365 029.

📷 Courtesy of Port Pirie National Trust Museum

Discover Port Pirie Business Port Pirie Pirie Voices

03/03/2026

Good to have Carlo’s cart back at the Museum for all to see after a much needed restoration.

03/03/2026

Oh dear ….. problems in the cell block. Reported in The Recorder 12th July 1944.

08/10/2025

A reminder

27/09/2025

Can anyone find mention of police bicycles being used in Port Pirie?

Pedal Power - Bicycles for Foot Police – 1893

Shortly after the invention of the ‘modern safety bicycle’ in 1880, Commissioner Peterswald in 1893 introduced (using his words) ‘a new novel form of transport for foot police’ in the city and major country centres by equipping them with bicycles. Introduced on ‘the express understanding that the machines were not to replace horses’, ten bicycles were initially purchased. Commissioner Peterswald went on to report that “They are not used, as many suppose to supersede horses in the Mounted Branch, but for orderlies, and Foot Constables with large suburban districts to supervise. In the latter case, the Constable is able to get about the whole of his district every day, and at the shortest notice, and in the former, the expense of horse keep is avoided.”

The bicycle was undoubtedly a major innovation, with the South Australia Police being the first force in Australia to make use of bicycles. They were subsequently used for all types of Police work, including enquiries, service of summonses, patrols and even in the late 1910’s and early 1920’s to detect speeding motorists; the speed limit at that time being 12 mph. The introduction of the bicycle was however not without some problems. When first issued, some members refused to ride them and advised that they preferred to walk. In one instance, a member was threatened with dismissal if he refused to ride a bicycle. Others complained that due to rough roads, they continually had to stop to re-light the acetylene lamps on their bicycles.

By the late 1890’s the Department employed a bicycle mechanic to build and maintain the fleet of bicycles and during this time developed its own bicycle design, which comprised of straight handlebars and a large seat. They became standard issue for approximately 70 years. By 1916 the number of police bicycles had continued to grow to 100 bicycles for a Force with a total strength of 352 members and the machines were progressively issued to most Police Stations. Bicycles were considered such an important means of transport that they were reported upon in the Commissioner’s Annual Report. In the 1923 Annual Report, the Commissioner advised that Foot Constable Bristow was employed at the City Watch House as the bicycle mechanic and during that year built four new bicycles for a cost of £56/10/0 and the police bicycle fleet numbered 124. The number of bicycles continued to grow until 1943 when they totalled 133 machines.

21/09/2025

A great day.

18/09/2025

Police band at the Museum right now.