October 2010
Mannum, South Australia 5238
Issue Number 51
Mannum Celebration Day Sunday 31st October 2010 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on’t forget! It’s only a few weeks away! The day to celebrate the history, present and future of our wonderful town, Mannum, and this part of the Murraylands Region. For the history, the day will have a 1933 theme. 1933 was the last year that there was a “Back to Mannum” celebration, and you will be able to see the actual program for that event. 1933 was also the year in which the Sojourner, the boat whose sunken remains appeared when the water level was down at its lowest, was launched. If you have any photos or memorabilia of Mannum from about that time, the
D
organisers would love to hear from you (ring Kirsty MacGregor on 8569 1402, or Jenny Whitehorn on 0448 533 147). For the present, we just need to look at how much the water has risen and be thankful. Lots of businesses and community groups will have stalls and displays at Mary Ann Reserve and elsewhere in the town. There will be a FREE Lions BBQ, face-painting, kite-flying, canoe hire — and MORE. You will be able to pick up a Mannum passport, get it stamped when you visit 4 major attractions and perhaps win a prize. Or take a cruise on the Jester. The rowing club, which is celebrating its centenary this year, will be open. Learn about the Canoe Trails and hear about the launch of a new trail. For the future? Well, that’s up to you to keep the Mannum area the lovely place it is. Start on the 31st of October, and just keep on making it better and better. And remember something that was said at the launch of the Sojourner in 1933: “How we adapt to conditions now is how we will be remembered in 50 years time.” People from the Murraylands Regional Tourist Association have put in many hours planning for this Celebration Day, and they are excited at all the new things they have learned about the district. They guarantee that you’ll be excited too. The celebration has been made possible by a grant from the Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal. Mannum’s application for the Revive and Thrive grant was the State winner. What a great start that was! See you all there on Sunday 31st October. Carl Gross
Kirsty MacGregor and Jenny Whitehorn before a map of the district
Struggle to Save Heritage Dry Dock he rising water level in the Murray is good news for the river’s health, but for Flinders University archaeologists working to conserve a unique 19th century dry dock at Mannum, it created an added sense of urgency. Excavations in December last year yielded some of the structural secrets of the disused dry dock, which was used to repair and refit the paddle steamers that plied the Murray’s busy trade up until the 1920s. Staff and volunteers from the Mannum Dock Museum and a team of postgraduate and undergraduate students from Flinders again worked on the
T
Contents Angie’s Cooking Tips Ageing In The Murraylands
20 25
site with an architect and conservationist from September 21st to 27th. Their aim was to complete a full picture of the dock’s structure and the environment in which it sits. Originally built as a floating structure for use on Lake Alexandrina, the Randell Dry Dock was towed to Mannum and installed onshore in 1876 by Captain William Richard Randell, founding father of Mannum. The installation of the Dock at Mannum greatly extended a small existing ship building and repair facility that had been developed by Captain Randell.
Calendars & Dates Church Services
Continued page 6
28 3
Classifieds Letters
“Corowa” in Randell Dry Dock. This vessel was owned by W R Randell between 1876 and 1907. Photo: Mrs B Rimell
27 2
Mental Musings, The Hall On My Bookshelf
10 15
Out of this World Puzzle
8 3