Pioneers SA Learning Hub

Exploring the early European settlement of South Australia from 1836 to 1846 and answering questions on the lives of people in South Australia's colonial past, what significant events happened during this time

Image reference: A temporary view of the country and the temporary erections near the site for the proposed town of Adelaide. Light, William (1837). State Library of SA B 10079.

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Pioneers SA celebrates our shared heritage and honour the achievements of south Australian pioneers. The blog provides links and resources to tell us the story of the early years of European settlement and colonisation in South Australia.

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  • The Kaurna People of the Adelaide Plains

    Some useful websites to access: Kaurna Children’s Letters: https://www.amw.org.au/register/listings/kaurna-children%E2%80%99s-letters Piltawodli, north of the river: https://adelaideaz.com/articles/piltawoldi–north-of-river-torrens–the-last–native-location–for-kaurna-in-adelaide- Documenting the Kaurna Language In September 1840 Schurmann had taken up a government position as deputy protector of Aborigines at Port Lincoln. As an interpreter he often accompanied police investigations and travelled to Adelaide for court proceedings but had difficulty…

  • 1841 Census

    The 1841 Census was undertaken when the colony was not 5 years old. The distances and small population meant that coverage was poor. Most citizens lived close to Adelaide and were counted by the enumerators. Those living further out may have been missed. Over 2900 households in Adelaide and in nearby villages nearly 9,200 people…

  • Emigration Schemes

    People in Great Britain and Ireland could apply for free passage to South Australia. This was offered to: “agricultural labourers, shepherds, bakers, blacksmiths, braziers, and tinmen, smiths, shipwrights, boat-builders, butchers, wheelwrights, sawyers, cabinetmakers, coopers, curriers, farriers, millwrights, harness-makers, lime-burners, and all persons engaged with the erection of buildings.” The Royal South Australian Almanack for 1839…

  • The Voyage to South Australia – just what was the journey like?

    Most pioneers came to South Australia by ship. Others came on coastal ships from Melbourne, Sydney or Tasmania. Other pioneers came to South Australia overland from Melbourne or Sydney. There are lots of useful websites to look for more information: Pioneers Association: Ships arriving between 1839 and 1844: https://www.pioneerssa.org.au/ships_1839_-_1844.html Bound for South Australia: https://bound-for-south-australia.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/ State…