_____________________________________________________________________ SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WATTLEGROWERS' ASSOCIATION SRG 449 Series List ____________________________________________________________________ The South Australian Wattle Growers' Association was formed in 1914, but the reasons for its organisation began in the nineteenth century. The leather trade was an important industry in Australia, and therefore the tanning of hides an important adjunct. The bark of the broad leaf wattle was a natural source of tannin, used in the tanning process, and mills were established in the Adelaide Hills, eg at Blumberg, (Birdwood). Wattle-growing became an important primary industry in the wetter regions of the colony where wheat growing was not wholly successful. Wattlebark was exported overseas until South African bark, produced more cheaply, entered the market early this century. South Australian wattlebark growers approached the Federal Government to obtain a protective tariff which would enable higher prices to be paid for the locally grown bark. A duty of thirty shillings per ton was place on imported wattle bark. The growers engaged in the local industry expected that the duty would be passed on to them, for whom it was intended. As individuals, they were powerless to obtain their entitlement, however. A meeting of wattlebark growers was held at Echunga in 1914 and it was proposed to hold similar meetings in other districts so that growers could consider forming an Association. The first meeting of delegates was held at Meadows and the organisation to represent them duly constituted. A Melbourne company, Messrs. Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. Pty. Ltd., began its association with South Australian growers before the 1918-19 season and erected a Mill at Jupiter Creek near Echunga for the grinding of the bark material. Its manager, after a few years became Mr W. Bailey who continued in that capacity for over 20 years. This mill was burnt out in the January 13, 1939 bushfires. Another mill operated briefly beside the Ambleside railway station near Hahndorf. The S.A. Wattle Growers' Association had members from Echunga, Meadows, Macclesfield, Kangarilla, Hahndorf, Clarendon, Mount Barker, Jupiter Creek, Mount Torrens, Lobethal, Charleston, Gumeracha and Birdwood and Cherry Gardens. A social feature of the Association was its annual growers' and families' picnic. The records of the Association were donated to the Mortlock Library in 1991 by Mrs H. Roberts and her sister, daughters of Mr W. Bailey, for many years an officeholder of the Association. Sources South Australian Wattle Growers' Association, Report. Meadows, 1939. (SRG 449/Series 3) Rathjen, G.R. Sources & Tributaries: the story of Birdwood (Blumberg) and its schools. Adelaide: Birdwood School Council, 1978, p. 51. Sutherland, George Our Inheritance in the Hills (Australiana facsimile editions; no. 204). First publ., Adelaide: W.K. Thomas, 1889, pp. 4, 11, 25, 29-30, 34, 39. ____________________________________________________________________ SRG 449 Series list Page 1 of 2 _____________________________________________________________________ Minutes of Executive and Annual Delegates Meetings 1 1916-1942. 2cm. [Volume 1 : 1916-1942. Executive Meetings 1916-1931 Annual Delegates Meetings 1916-1942 Volume 2 : 1932-1942. Executive Meetings only.] Statements of Receipts and Expenditure and Balance Sheets. 2 1916-1940. 2cm. Booklet: Report of the S.A. Wattle Growers' Association. 3 1939. 0.5cm. Printed. SRG 449 Series list Page 2 of 2 .