SA Governor Hieu Van Le to lead celebrations at Glenelg for SA’s 180th Proclamation Day
SA Governor Hieu Van Le will read the Proclamation of South Australia at a ceremony celebrating its 180th anniversary at Glenelg North on Wednesday morning.
IT WAS 180 years ago on Wednesday when, after a 158-day voyage, HMS Buffalo sailed into Holdfast Bay carrying 176 passengers.
Aboard the boat was British Governor John Hindmarsh who, with his secretary George Stevenson, went on to earn December 28, 1836, a place in the South Australian history books.
It became Proclamation Day, when the vice-regal proclamation to establish South Australia as a British province was first read by secretary Stevenson at a large gathering under a gum tree – now known as the Old Gum Tree – at Glenelg North, two years after the British parliament passed the South Australia Act in 1834.
The parliament established the province in February 1836, and the first free settlers arrived at Kangaroo Island in July. In August, Colonel William Light explored KI, along with areas around Patawalonga and Port Lincoln, as possible sites for a capital, and by December confirmed Adelaide as the capital city.
While Proclamation Day is December 28, the public holiday falls on the first working day after Christmas Day, which is usually Boxing Day. This year the public holiday was on Tuesday.
SA Governor Hieu Van Le, who will read the Proclamation of South Australia at a ceremony celebrating its 180th anniversary at Glenelg North on Wednesday morning, said it was a time to reflect on the early settlers who came as free people, and were “confronted with huge challenges”.
“There was nothing here actually in terms of economic structure,” he said.
“They left behind their homes and endured a long, arduous sea journey, arriving with little food and material possessions.
“They were forced to live in tents and makeshift accommodation for months. They were confronted with a harsh, natural environment … regular horrendous bush fires, extreme heat ... droughts in the summer, then floods and storms in the rainy season.”
Governor Hieu Van Le said the colony was also approaching bankruptcy.
“The state’s expenditure at the time was four times more than it its revenue, and politically it was not that stable,” he said. “In fact, our first two governors were recalled back to the UK prematurely.
“So you see, what comes out of this is that, at a very challenging time, our settlers had shown an extraordinary resilience, strength and determination, which ultimately led them to overcome all of this adversity and, with sheer hard work, a successful, prosperous settlement was built.
“Our state, South Australia, entered into an exciting period of significant reform in many, many key areas of our society.
“South Australia was among the most democratic of any society. So my message for all South Australians: ‘Don’t take this for granted’.”
Since 1857, Proclamation Day has been celebrated every year at the Old Gum Tree.
Premier Jay Weatherill, who will also attend the 180th Proclamation Day commemoration, said the day was a time to “come together to celebrate our achievements as a state”.
“We know South Australia is the best place in the world to live, but sometimes it’s easy to take that for granted,” he said.
“Together, we’ve created a state with remarkable social cohesion, enviable standard of living and high quality of life.
“We should celebrate just how far we’ve come over the past 180 years and also recommit ourselves to the things that we love most about our beautiful State.”
City of Holdfast Bay mayor Stephen Patterson said celebrations would go ahead despite forecast rain, but any scheduled changes would be updated on the council’s website on Wednesday morning.
“The wet weather isn’t dampening our community spirit, and we’re hopeful that the rain will hold off during the ceremony, so we’re encouraging people to wear sturdy shoes, bring a brolly and join us in commemorating this important event in our state’s history,” he said.
“So much has changed since the Proclamation of South Australia was first read beside the iconic Old Gum Tree, but Holdfast Bay remains a vibrant place ... so we’re encouraging people to come along to the ceremony.”
Governor Hieu Van Le, a refugee who arrived in Adelaide 39 years ago, said reading the Proclamation of South Australia was like a fairy tale.
“Captain Hindmarsh stood there 180 years ago … and now I am a boat person ... standing there on that same place,” he said.
“I pinch myself. That can only happen in Australia.”
PROCLAMATION DAY: WHAT’S ON
180TH PROCLAMATION DAY COMMEMORATION CEREMONY
SA Governor Hieu Van Le will read the Proclamation of South Australia at the traditional commemoration ceremony at Glenelg North from 9am on Wednesday. The formalities will be followed by a free community barbecue and live music. The event should go ahead despite rain forecast, but organisers suggest people bring umbrellas and wear robust shoes. Side streets surrounding the Old Gum Tree Reserve will be closed between 7am and 1pm. It’s at Old Gum Tree Reserve, MacFarlane St. Check council website for any last-minute changes: holdfast.sa.gov.au
130TH BAY SHEFFIELD CARNIVAL
The Bay Sheffield Carnival continues on Wednesday at Colley Reserve, Colley Tce, Glenelg. The first heat kicks off from 10.25am. Major races for the day include the final and presentation of the 550m O35 Handicap, 800m Novice Handicap, 1600m Open Handicap, 120m U18 Junior Girls Bay Sheffield, 120m U18 Junior Boys Bay Sheffield, 1600m O35/Women Handicap, 1600m Selected Backmarkers’ Handicap, 550m Open Handicap, 120m Women Gift and
120m Open Bay Sheffield. The presentation of the Frank McHugh trophy is at 6.30pm. Entry is free for spectators. Details: saal.org.au
BAY SPORTS FESTIVAL
The Bay Sports Festival also wraps up on Wednesday, featuring the Proclamation Classic Swim at Glenelg Beach, south of Glenelg jetty, from 9am. Three swim distances include 1km and 2km (from 9.30am), and 5km (9am). The swim is open to all swimmers aged 18-plus. Registration will be available from 8am at Glenelg foreshore. Check website for updates regarding weather conditions. Details: adelaidemasters.org.au
BAY DISCOVERY CENTRE: REMNANT FORMATIONS EXHIBITION
The exhibition is inspired by nature and features jewellery, paper and textiles. It’s on at Bay Discovery Centre, Moseley Square, Glenelg from 10am and 4pm daily until January 29. Details: glenelgsa.com.au/baydiscover
SWIMMERS HOPE FOR ANOTHER CLASSIC
UP TO 200 swimmers are hoping wet weather won’t dampen their chance to make a splash at the Proclamation Classic open swim at Glenelg Beach on Wednesday morning.
The event, run by the Adelaide Masters Swimming Club and Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, attracts participants aged from 18 to over 80, taking part in 1km, 2km and 5km distances.
But poor weather conditions, including strong winds that affect water quality, may force its cancellation. A top of 32C with a high chance of showers and a thunderstorm is forecast.
Event organiser Geoff McConachy said they would decide about 8am.
“(We are) extraordinarily hopeful it will go ahead,” he said.
“It is another celebration of Proclamation Day ... (and) is one of a dozen swims during the year which help promote ocean swimming in Australia.”
Assistant race organiser Sue Graebner said the swim, part of the Bay Sports Festival, had been running for about 25 years and was rebadged as the Proclamation Classic swim about five years ago.
“Swims have been held on Proclamation Day in and around Glenelg since the late 19th century, but they haven’t always been continuous,” she said.
Ms Graebner, also a member of Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, said open-water swimming was a growing sport in Australia.
“We like to have a celebration of Australian beach culture in Adelaide’s premier beach by having an open-water swim,” she said.
Swimmer Chloe Pate, 18, said she would tackle the 5km distance.
“I’m a distance swimmer and it is good to get in some longer races ... we have open water nationals coming up at the end of January. It is good preparation,” she said.
“It is really different to the pool because it is not laps, it is doing the course ... I quite enjoy doing it.
“It is a fun thing to do after Christmas, before the New Year.”
Details: adelaidemasters.org.au