a picture of local heritage-listed house "Kandahar", the home of the West Torrens Historical Society

Programme 2025

* 2025 Programme available to download here*


Light Supper at the conclusion of each meeting

Meeting bookings recommended. Email: westtorrenshistory@gmail.com

We also welcome visitors to view Kandahar, contact us for available times.

Views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the West Torrens Historical Society Inc. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the items printed, responsibility is not accepted for any errors they may contain that are out of our control.

DECEMBER 2024

Christmas Recess - NO MEETING

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year

JANUARY 20, 2025

GUIDED TOUR THE GRANGE CHARLES STURT MUSEUM AND DINNER AT MOSAIC HOTEL

Guided tour starts at 5:30 PM at The Grange Charles Sturt Museum  (Members $5 / Non-members $10)

** Meet at 39D Jetty Street Grange at 5:15pm **

Denise Schumann OAM, local Historian will escort us through the revamped precinct, and also share interesting snippets of the lifestyle of Capt. Sturt and his wife and children. View their house and a range of museum exhibits which serve to demonstrate the way they lived. This visit will allow you to experience the idyllic setting of the cottage as it was in those early days, and the view the gallery of interpretive and multi-media displays. 

After the tour, enjoy dinner (pay your own way) and some camaraderie at the nearby Mosaic Hotel, Turner Drive, West Lakes at 7.15pm   ** DOWNLOAD FLYER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PHONE NUMBER TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE **

FEBRUARY 24, 2025 Hamra Centre Auditorium, 1 Brooker Terrace, Hilton (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: THE HON JON OLSEN AO, CHAIRMAN, ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB

Thebarton Oval, the last hundred years, the next hundred years.

Former Premier, and now chairman of the Adelaide Crows, John Olsen will reflect on, and pay tribute to, the history of Thebarton Oval.  He will then outline the exciting future plans for the redevelopment of the precinct. Don’t miss this informative and enlightening insight. Get the inside story.

PHILIP EVANS, METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE

MARCH 24, 2025  Kandahar, 329 Marion Road, North Plympton  (7:15pm start) (rescheduled from March 2024) 

AGM + SPEAKER: PHILIP EVANS, METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE

Alarm bells, sirens and home truths.

Phil is the community liaison officer and historian for the MFS. He is very engaging and knowledgeable. He will cover the history of the SA Fire Brigade, its equipment, its trucks and firefighting methods from a bygone era. He is also an expert on fire safety and fire prevention in the home and the things we need to know. He has an important message for all of us.

It's a reality check you can't afford to miss.

APRIL 28, 2025  Kandahar, 329 Marion Road, North Plympton  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: MATTHEW LOMBARD, NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM

The History of the Motor Museum, historic cars, and cars we used to drive.

Australians enjoy a love affair with old cars. Being able to passionately reminisce about the cars we used to drive and to admire the primitive engineering and structural design of historic vintage cars provides a step back in time to many of us. Matthew will enlighten us on the history and role of the Birdwood Motor Museum and inspire us with stories of old relics. You don’t need to fasten your seatbelt to come for this virtual ride.

OPEN DAYS AT KANDAHAR  2025 **TBC**

Tuesday May 6* 10am - 3pm 

Wednesday May 7 10am - 3pm

Saturday May 24 10am - 1pm

*Free Bus Tuesday May 6 to Kandahar available from Hamra Centre Library, see City of West Torrens website

MAY 26, 2025  Kandahar, 329 Marion Road, North Plympton  (7:15pm start)

SPEAKER: MARK POLZER, MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGIST/HISTORIAN

Our Underwater Heritage

Mark has carried out extensive research of shipwrecks all around the world, including ancient shipwrecks, one dating back to 600 B.C. He will talk about fascinating underwater archaeological explorations and discoveries he has been involved in. He will also discuss interesting shipwrecks along our South Australian Coast. Dive into Mark’s world and discover our underwater heritage.

JUNE 17, 2025  (TUESDAY) Dinner in the Old Parliament House and tour (**5:30pm start)

(See separate flyer for more details closer to this event)

Instead of our regular monthly meeting at Kandahar, we will enjoy a buffet style meal in the Historic Chamber of Old Parliament House, followed by a guided tour of the current Parliament House, where we will view the historic portraits of all our former Premiers, and visit the Gallery of the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council. Matt Cowdrey OAM MHA, will give a brief talk about the honour of representing Australia as a world champion and Paralympian gold medallist in swimming. 

GENERAL MEETING DATES 

Guest speakers for remainder of 2025 will be advised in due course
JULY 28, 2025

AUGUST 25, 2025

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

OCTOBER 27, 2025

NOVEMBER 24, 2025

DECEMBER 2025

Christmas Recess - NO MEETING

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year

Views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the West Torrens Historical Society Inc. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the items printed, responsibility is not accepted for any errors they may contain that are out of our control.

MEETING MINUTES 2025

General Meeting 24 Feb 2025 TBCAGM 24 March 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 28 April 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 26 May 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 28 Jul 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 25 Aug 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 22 Sep 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 27 Oct 2025 TBCGeneral Meeting 24 Nov 2025 TBC

PREVIOUS YEARS

2024