Tailem Bend Historians win SA History Festival award

As a highlight of South Australia’s History Festival, held in May, the Tailem Bend Historians have won the highly contested regional or community award for 2024.

Hosted at the University of South Australia, the prestigious South Australian Historian of the Year Awards recognised the tireless efforts of individuals and groups dedicated to preserving and exploring the state’s rich heritage. 

From the charming town of Burra to the scenic Barossa Valley, and picturesque Gawler to the railway town of Tailem Bend, this year’s awards honoured contributors from all corners of the state.

One of the most notable accolades was awarded to the Tailem Bend Historians, a small yet remarkably active community history group.

Established in 2015 and officially incorporated in 2017, this group has shown an exceptional commitment to documenting and preserving the history of the region.

Their efforts have not only enriched the local community but have also set a benchmark for historical societies across the state.

With a strong commitment to their community history, the Tailem Bend Historians meets monthly to discuss and plan their various projects.

Their gatherings, held at the Tailem Bend Community Library, have become a cornerstone of local heritage preservation.

Notably, every Monday, community members gather for Monday Memories, a cherished event where old stories are recounted, vintage photographs are identified and oral histories are recorded for future generations.

One of the group’s ongoing flagship projects is “Changing Faces of Tailem Bend”, a series of stories published in Tailem Topics, the town’s monthly community magazine.

Prepared by the dedicated duo of Peter and Doris Connolly, this long-running series, now in its 139th issue, captures the stories of people who have lived and worked in Tailem Bend, providing a vivid tapestry of the town’s evolving history.

The meticulous work of the Connollys has become a cherished part of the community, preserving personal narratives that might otherwise be forgotten.

Another significant initiative by the Tailem Bend Historians is a railway employees database.

This ongoing project has compiled information on more than 4000 individuals who were stationed at Tailem Bend from 1905 until the station’s closure in 1999.

This exhaustive database is an invaluable resource for historians and genealogists alike, shedding light on the lives of those who contributed to the town’s railway legacy.

The group’s commitment to history is further exemplified by their impressive array of exhibitions and publications.

In March 2021, they launched The Life and Times of Tailem Bend, an exhibition featuring 233 photographs accompanied by 58 detailed write-ups.

These were displayed on 40 storyboards, along with various historical artifacts, at the Coorong Gallery during History Month.

This exhibition was a resounding success, drawing visitors from across the region and igniting a renewed interest in local history.

The Tailem Bend Historians have acknowledged the tragic death of Mounted Constable Charles McCullagh in the main street, conducted a Colonial Days at East Wellington exhibition and have also produced an East Wellington Cemetery book.

Their work on the East Wellington Cemetery has been particularly noteworthy, with storyboards depicting the history of the cemetery and its burial listings now permanently displayed in the cemetery’s shelter shed.

This project not only preserves the history of the cemetery but enhances its significance as a historical site.

The achievements of the Tailem Bend Historians underscore the profound impact that grassroots history groups can have on their communities.

Their dedication to unearthing and preserving local history fosters a sense of identity and continuity.

By involving community members in their projects, they ensure that history is not just remembered, but actively celebrated and kept alive through the generations.

As this year’s South Australian History Festival ended, it became obvious that the stories and achievements highlighted during the event would resonate long afterwards, reminding us all of the importance of preserving our past.

The Tailem Bend Historians, with their staggering array of projects, exemplify the spirit of historical preservation and community engagement, ensuring that the legacy of Tailem Bend and its neighbouring towns will endure for generations to come.

• More information about Tailem Bend Historians: Search for “Tailem Bend Historians” on Facebook or visit Tailem Bend Community Library at 10am on the last Monday of each month.
• More information about the awards: historycouncilsa.org.au/hcsa-historian-awards-2024-winners.