Monday 15 November 2021
In the steps of Elder, Barr Smith and Waite, the 1860s-1940s
Presented by Pam Rajkowski OAM
Over years researching the complex history of the Afghan cameleers, introduced to Australia by Thomas Elder, Pamela encountered an intricate wealth of unpublished, uncompiled information and photos on the private and extraordinary lifestyles of three visionary South Australian founders, Thomas Elder, Robert Barr Smith and Peter Waite. Step with Pamela as she exposes the lavish estates and lifestyles and global connections of these families, and the colonial leadership and influence of these extraordinary entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
While a full time secondary teacher Pamela Rajkowski travelled Australia interviewing academics and Afghan cameleer and Aboriginal descendants. Her first book, In the Tracks of the Camelmen, 1987, preceded three more books. She worked with Australian and International media, organized national outback festivals and 3 cameleer memorials. In 2009 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her community service too, and research on, the Afghan cameleers. Her extensive research uncovered the extraordinary, lavish lifestyles and philanthropy of Thomas Elder, Robert and Joanna Barr Smith and Peter and Matilda Waite.
Record of Meeting
View the record of all past meetings which details all talks given at meetings by guest speakers since our foundation in 1980. Most meetings since 1985 have been recorded.
| No. | * | B | T | d | doc | Date | Topic, Speaker, Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 454 | d | 15/11/2021 | In the steps of Elder, Barr Smith and Waite, the 1860s-1940sPresented by Pam Rajkowski OAM Over years researching the complex history of the Afghan cameleers, introduced to Australia by Thomas Elder, Pamela encountered an intricate… |
Legend
B: Burnside topic
T: tape
d: disc
doc: pdf document
*: on location
Disc and Tape recordings available in the Local History Room