On 20 November 2022, a laneway in Eudunda will be dedicated during a historic afternoon event in the Town Gardens.
Appelt Lane – Northern End – Signpost
The 750m laneway, which is the brainchild of the Eudunda 150 Committee, will be called ‘Appelt Lane’ to recognise the pioneering achievements of the Appelt family. The Appelt family played a key role in the foundation of Eudunda in the 1870s, and continued to serve the community in the following decades.
The laneway, which has never been named, crosses the breadth of the town, starting at the Eudunda Preschool Centre, running past the Railway Station, through the Town Gardens, and ending opposite the former Laucke Mills building.
The lane will recognise three generations of the Appelt family.
Eudunda Family Heritage Gallery – Afternoon Tea – Poster
As part of their celebration of Eudunda’s 150th Anniversary, the Eudunda Family Heritage Gallery is hosting a Devonshire Tea in the Eudunda Gardens, with music, poetry, great food, and period costume.
The afternoon will begin at 1:30pm with the official dedication of the stunning mosaic chaise longue constructed by the Eudunda Community Hub and Shed in the Eudunda Gardens to commemorate 150 years of Eudunda. The Devonshire Tea will follow this.
The Eudunda 150th Committee are proud to share the dates the Exhibition is open to the public over November 2021.
We are so pleased with the entries that have been sent in, the hall will be filled with great art, just waiting for you to come view it on one of the days marked above.
Samuel & Jenny are keen to have all the Art Entries coming in today and tomorrow (Sat 23rd) at the Eudunda Hall from 9am to 5pm. Another opportunity is on Saturday 30 October 2021, from 9am to 5pm.
One of our major projects is to publish the diary of Emilie Appelt for the first time.
Emilie was a Eudunda pioneer who arrived in the town in 1876, as her husband, F.G.E. Appelt, owned Appelt’s General Store on South Terrace. She was a devout Lutheran of the local Emmaus congregation and a fluent German speaker, one of many in the town.
Her diary, which spans from May 1904 to December 1914, captures the essence of life in Eudunda at the turn of the twentieth century, and on the brink of war. There is no other record like it in Eudunda’s history, giving it inestimable historical value.
Local historian, Samuel Doering, has edited her diary, providing a wealth of information and explanatory notes, guiding readers through the events and experiences Emilie recorded. On November 5, Eudunda 150 will be proudly launching this book, making Emilie Appelt’s extraordinary diary accessible for the first time.
We have received generous support from the Regional Council of Goyder and the Appelt Family to make this possible, and to make this book a physical reality, we’ve teamed up with local publisher, Openbook Howden Print & Design.
More details will be forthcoming!
(Please note, that the title page image is only a mock-up.)
We are proud to announce that another of our major exciting projects is to create a time capsule for the year 2070, Eudunda’s 200th anniversary.
The capsule will be laid in the centre of Eudunda where it will serve as a reminder of our town’s rich past, as well as our future potential.
We would like to fill the capsule with letters from members of the Eudunda community and surrounding districts. If you would like to write a letter, we’d like you to detail your connection to Eudunda, any fond memories of the town, and your community involvement. You might like to write about how you think life might appear in 2070, especially how you think Eudunda might change over the next fifty years. Feel free to write creatively about Eudunda and your connection to the town.
We are proud to announce one of our major events, an Art Exhibition to be held in the Town Hall for three weeks during November. Throughout this exhibition, Eudunda will be on show through photography, drawing, painting, and mosaic.
Should you wish to enter the competition, residents in the Eudunda district will be receiving entry forms this week and if you need more or more info click the link
Members of the Eudunda 150th Celebrations Committee recognise that the COVID-19 Pandemic stalled the district’s celebrations, but the sacrifice was worthwhile in keeping everyone safe.
The Committee have had a meeting and see a path forward, with modified celebrations and some permanent fixtures to celebrate the Eudunda 150th.
Colin Thiele 100th – Debbie Hibbert & Margaret Doecke – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Organiser of the event and MC for the day, Margaret Doecke welcomed 130 guests, including the Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP and his wife Rebecca and Janne & Jeff Minge from Queensland (Janne is Colin Thiele’s daughter). We were very lucky to have had Janne & Jeff attend, as once again, covid restrictions between the states had only just lifted.
The history of the sculpture, from an idea to eventual unveiling 25 years ago on Sunday 5th November 1995 was very interesting, and Margaret was happy to see that many who were involved so long ago were able to make it to celebrate again. The Committee at the time gave sculptor Chris Radford a donation of $600 for his work. Margaret also mentioned the work of the late Myles Schutz who did the stone work that Colin’s sculpture is mounted on.
Colin Thiele 100th – Luke Herriman holding phone & Samuel Doering (insert) – Main Photo Robyn Bradbrook
Samuel Doering, Chairperson of the Eudunda 150th Committee addressed us via Skype from Celle, Germany. To do this Luke Herriman contacted Samuel on Skype with his mobile phone, and he is seen here holding the phone covered by his hat to keep the wind out of the conversation, it worked quite well and everyone could hear Samuel.
Samuel welcomed those attending and inspiring us with part of Colin’s Sun on the Stubble story about Marcus and Bruno with the car and he also read a poem and told of how he introduced Colin’s works to his University English Lecturer, who was impressed with Colin’s work.
Colin Thiele 100th – Janne Minge (Colin’s Daughter) – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Janne Minge gave us an interesting talk about her father Colin, of his growing up in the district from early school life in Eudunda, to riding his pushbike to the train at Hampden to study at Kapunda, and return late at night and eventually off to University and his war service.
Colin Thiele 100th – Mike Roberts – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Local singer song writer Mike Roberts of The Barn at Wombat Flat sang three songs including “Farmer’s Gamble”. A highlight was ‘Hidden Springs’ first written and performed locally 35 years ago for the ‘Eudunda Show’ and Mike encouraged everyone to sing along to this song, with the words in the event programme.
Colin Thiele 100th – Marcus Reseigh – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Marcus Reseigh, local poet recited 3 poems from Colin’s book ‘Songs for my thongs’ published in 1982, and they were Magpie, Wrong Bait, Return Ticket, the last two were very funny.
Colin Thiele 100th – Di Bills – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Di Bills read a prose poem about Bruno having to go to Adelaide to High School, when really Bruno wants to stay on the farm, an emotional story indeed.
Colin Thiele 100th – Jackson Court – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Eudunda Area School student Jackson Court read Colin’s book ‘Gemma’s Christmas Eve’, published in 1994,
Colin Thiele 100th – Claire Schiller – Photo by Robyn Bradbrook
Followed by fellow Eudunda Area School student Claire Schiller reading Colin’s book ‘February Dragon’ published in 1965.
Colin Thiele 100th – Charlie Ross – reading Farmer Schulzs Ducks – photo Peter Herriman
The St Johns Lutheran School house captains were next to contribute to the event with Charlie Ross reading Colin’s book ‘Farmer Schultz’s Ducks’, which was published in 1986.
Colin Thiele 100th – Lucy Mosey reading Storm Boy – photo Peter Herriman
and Lucy Mosey reading ‘Storm Boy’, originally published in 1964.
Colin Thiele 100th – St Johns Lutheran School Choir – Supplied Front L-R: Brooke Schaefer, Emma Doering, Grace Jenke, Annabelle Preston, Bridget Williams, Charlotte Nietschke, Caitlin Schutz and Kayley Schutz. Middle L-R: Mandy Verco – Choir Teacher, Julie IÁnson, Marissa Ross, India Cluse, Zoe Neal, Demi Mosey, Milly Roebuck, Lucy Mosey. Back L-R: Jaz Williams, Amalie Jenke, Lilly Verco, Ruby Preston, Shayla Scholz.
The twenty girls making up the St John’s Lutheran School Choir did a great job battling the increasing wind to sing four songs under the guidance of Choir Teacher Mandy Verco. The songs were, ‘The Only Name (Yours Will Be)’, ‘When I grow up’, from musical Matilda, ‘Write your Story’, and the most fitting song of the day was the last one of ‘Beautiful Day’. Bravo Girls!! Well Done!. By this time the wind was so strong, it was hard to hear the girls singing, so we are thankful for the borrowed video camera from the Council as this allowed us to capture some reasonable sound to be shared later on.
Debbie Hibbert gave an update on the Silo Art Project and an invitation to look at the proposals to decide which artist and works will work on our local silos next year.
The final celebration of the afternoon was to have delicious country baked scones, jam and cream, a great tradition.
Janne & Jeff Minge with the Colin Thiele Sculpture on Colin’s 100th Birthday Anniversary Photo Peter Herriman
We thank Margaret Doecke, Dot Bonner, Di Whatling, Barb Button, Janne Minge, Samuel Doering, Mike Roberts, Di Bills, Marcus Reseigh, Jackson Court, Claire Schiller, Charlie Ross, Lucy Mosey, Mandy Verco and the St Johns Lutheran School Choir, Debbie Hibbert, Andrew Partington, Robyn Bradbrook. Also the many people helping setup for the event, and with cooking and serving food and drinks. The wonderful Eudunda Gardens Committee who do such a great job of looking after the gardens, and for cleaning the BBQ afterward, and those who cleaned up and packed up afterwards, also Luke, Jenny & Toby Herriman.
We thank everyone that helped make this a great event. The Regional Council of Goyder, Australian Government – Drought Communities Programme, Eudunda Community, Business and Tourism Inc (ECBAT), and the Eudunda 150th Committee who helped fund the event so that it was free.
You are invited to the
25th Anniversary of the Unveiling of the Colin Thiele Sculpture
and
Celebrating Colin Thiele’s 100th Birthday
at the Eudunda Centenary Gardens
on Sunday 15th November 2020. 12pm (Noon) to 4:30pm
This even is a COVID Safe event
So you must RSVP by 6/11/20 if you intend coming.
