Old Tailem Town’s Peter Squires OAM will go down in history

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More than 40 years have passed since Peter Squires inherited a property on the outskirts of Tailem Bend and decided to use it to preserve the district’s history.

Old Tailem Town has been an institution and tourist landmark since 1982, somewhere visitors can go to appreciate old buildings, vehicles and knick-knacks – or even take a ghost tour.

For the kingdom he has built, “for service to community history”, Mr Squires, 86, was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Sunday.

"I was born here, I planted all these trees, I've left my mark," Mr Squires said.

The long list of positive reviews in the Old Tailem Town's visitor book prove how much the public enjoys the pioneer village.

Still, Mr Squires would love to read more of them.

"It's fun meeting new people that come, but we'd love to get more visitors coming in and out the doors," he said.

"My main concern is that it continues on.

"It's all about life's different stages in time."

The pioneer park was an old family farm that he inherited from his grandfather and has since turned into a moment of history, with 115 buildings on 15 streets.

After being inspired by another pioneer town he had visited at Swan Hill, he decided that was what he wanted for Tailem Bend.

Running Old Tailem Town was an experience no-one else could get, he said.

Mr Squires collected, was gifted and created parts of the town from different areas of South Australia, and even interstate.

It's clear Old Tailem Town is loved and cherished by the community that has kept it running since its doors first opened in 1987.

You can visit Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village at 8552 Princes Highway,
Tailem Bend.

It is open from 9am-4pm every day except Christmas Day.

• More information: Visit www.tailemtown.com.au or call 0419 359 532.