The line up of guest speakers for August to November 2026 covers topics of historical interest.

Meeting Venue and Times: All meetings are on the 3rd Monday of the month in the Hall of the Burnside Community Centre, corner of Portrush and Greenhill Roads, Tusmore, commencing at 7.30pm. Friends and visitors are most welcome to attend meetings. A $2 donation is much appreciated.

Highlights this year include:

• Wednesday 17 August 2026 meeting: Moving History: The Waite Gatehouse relocation. Speaker: Daniel Raschella
• Thursday September 17 2026 outing: guided tour of Urrbrae House, visit to the Waite Gatehouse
• Wednesday 21 September 2026 meeting: Oases in the Desert: the mound springs of inland Australia. Speaker: Colin Harris
• Wednesday 19 October 2026 meeting: Charles Hope Harris: Surveyor, Astronomer and Toponymist. Speaker: Roger Harris
• Wednesday 16 November 2026: Quiz Night and End-of-Year Celebration Supper

Official programmes are now available from Drakes Supermarkets, public libraries, councils and online for this year’s May History Festival.

Now is the time to check out the programme of over 500 events and to make your bookings for what promises to be a busy and enjoyable month for history lovers.

BHS History Festival Events

Once again, we will be an active contributor to the History Festival with these events:

1. Guided Walk of Dulwich: “Secrets of Dulwich: Discover the untold stories of Dulwich” with Polly Dundon (Sat 3 May, 10 -12noon). Book at secretsofdulwichsa@gmail.com
2. Guided Walk of Dulwich: “Secrets of Dulwich: Discover the untold stories of Dulwich” with Polly Dundon (Wed 14 May, 10 -12noon). Book at secretsofdulwichsa@gmail.com
3. Guided Walk: “Eastwood: Burnside’s smallest suburb, yesterday and today” with Ally Preiss (Tues 6 May and Wed 7th May, 10am – 12noon). Book by phoning 0422 705 916
4. “Wheal Watkins 1843 Heritage Mine: Above Ground Tour” with Dave Monceaux (Sun 11 May, 1:30-2:30pm or 3:00-4:00pm). Book by phoning 0422 705 916

You can find full details, including booking arrangements, in the links above or in the official History Festival print Programme on pages 34 and 35.

The full Burnside Historical Society Programme of meetings events and outings was distributed to members at the recent February meeting.

The line up of guest speakers for 2025 covers nine topics of historical interest.

Meeting Venue and Times: All meetings are on the 3rd Monday of the month in the Hall of the Burnside Community Centre, corner of Portrush and Greenhill Roads, Tusmore, commencing at 7.30pm. Friends and visitors are most welcome to attend meetings. A $2 donation is much appreciated.

The recently produced video of the Wheal Watkins Mine was shown at our March meeting.

Wheal Watkins was part of Australia’s first metalliferous mining area. The area was worked in the 1840s and was the forerunner to the mining industry based on copper in SA. It transformed the economy of South Australia from depression to rapid growth and prosperity.

The video of the Wheal Watkins Mine has been produced by the Burnside Historical Society (BHS) with the support of the City of Burnside, and is part of our current Mines Project.