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Admella 150th commemorations begin

Posted on August 7, 2008, 6:06pm and updated on August 7, 2008 at 7:48 pm

Kongorong Primary, Allendale East Area School and Mount Gambier’s McDonald Park School have begun holding special Admella 150 Festival “lead-in” functions ahead of next year’s special commemoration program.

The first special gathering was held on Wednesday at Kongorong Primary School, the school nearest to where the SS Admella tragically hit Carpenter’s Reef.

One hundred and 13 blue balloons were released at Kongorong Primary School as a reminder of how many souls were on board the ill-fated steamship when she hit Carpenters Reef a century and a half ago on August 6, 1859.

Allendale East Area School’s function later on Wednesday included the release of 24 white balloons signifying the number of survivors from the wreck while McDonald Park Year 4/5 students released 89 black balloons in the afternoon to represent the number of people who lost their lives in the Admella tragedy, including an ancestor of McDonald Park teacher, John Magarey.

A model of SS Admella made by Peter Jones of Donovons was displayed at each of the schools and students heard stories from those involved in the wreck as told to family and the media of the time.

In Mount Gambier, a display at Centro Plaza for the week starting Monday, August 11 will provide information about projects and events to be held during next year’s 11 day-long Admella 150 Festival.

The Portland Maritime Discovery Centre will host a history forum on Sunday, August 17 at 2pm, and the marble Admella “Rescuers Plaque” and “Portland” lifeboat, which both have recently undergone conservation work, will be unveiled.

Admella project officer Linda Ha, and the Admella commemoration advisory committee are keen to involve the community, especially the young, in learning more about the “nearly forgotten” SS Admella tragedy which they believe highlights the part regional cooperation has played in rescue work in the South East of SA and Western Victoria.

As well as commemorating the wreck of the SS Admella, the Admella 150 Festival will celebrate rescuers and volunteers from the past and present, and will provide fundraising and promotional opportunities for community groups and volunteer organisations.

More information regarding the Admella 150 Festival is available on www.admella.org.au or by contacting Linda Hay at the District Council of Grant on (08) 8721 0444 or Liz Foreman at the Glenelg Shire on (03) 5522 2206.

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Comments

One Response to “Admella 150th commemorations begin”

  1. Greg on August 7th, 2008 7:38 pm 1

    The wrecking of the SS Admella off the coast of Carpenter Rocks on August 6, 1859 was a tragedy that should be remembered. Ownership of our history is important but what of our environment? What are we teaching the children in commemorating history by polluting the environment?

    I note that this week three local schools — Kongorong Primary, Allendale East Area and MacDonald Park released a number of balloons to commemorate the 149th anniversary of this event.

    One hundred and thirteen (113) blue balloons were released in memory of those on board the ship at the time of the disaster. Twenty four (24) white balloons were released signifying the number of survivors and eighty nine (89) black balloons were released representing those that respectfully passed.

    The majority of teachers, I believe, do an excellent job providing children with an educational basis to form their own attitudes and beliefs. I would like to question however, the “bright spark” that thought of releasing pollutants (226 balloons) into the atmosphere to settle indiscriminately along our coastlines, in our waterways, our national parks, our backyards and our streets?

    Surely one teacher among the many who facilitated this commemoration questioned the idea of celebrating history by teaching influential children that it is acceptable to litter the environment.

    The balloons pose a serious threat to animals (marine and terrestrial) through ingestion or entanglement as well as being an “eyesore”.

    Yes, I understand that balloons are bio-degradable. They are made from rubber trees and are a natural product. Research has also shown that balloons decompose at a rate equal to or greater than an American oak leaf.

    However, rubber trees, in particular processed latex balloons are NOT endemic to the Limestone Coast’s natural environment… And what about the ribbons attached to the balloons!

    Surely there are better, greener methods of celebration.

    Whatever happened to environmental rehabilitation — planting native trees to symbolise new life?

    Children are taught that plastic bags, six-pack rings, cans, fishing line and many other objects are damaging to terrestrial and marine life, why are they also taught to release balloons into the environment with no thought of consequence?