TWENTIETH CENTURY HERITAGE SURVEY Stage 1 : Post Second World War (1946–1959) OVERVIEW HISTORY South Australians in the 1950s. The children are (left to right): Anthonius (Tony), Maria, Anthonia (Toosjie) and Johanna (Joh) in the summer of 1954/55. The family migrated from Holland in 1953 and have moved from migrant camps at Bonegilla and Finsbury to an asbestos house rented from the South Australian Housing Trust. Their father Anthonius Dam has photographed the four children in their front yard at 23 East Avenue, Northfield, enjoying a cold Coca-Cola, still a rare American treat for any South Australian child. (Photo given by Maria Dam to S Marsden) Susan Marsden (Marsden Russell Historians) [assisted by Carol Cosgrove and Robyn Taylor] Adelaide 2003–04 Contents Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 5 Aims................................................................................................................................................... 5 Methodology..................................................................................................................................... 5 Themes............................................................................................................................................... 5 Recommendations................................................................................................................................ 6 Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................................. 6 Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................ 7 Context................................................................................................................................................... 8 The South Australian environment ............................................................................................. 10 Peopling South Australia .............................................................................................................. 12 Migration .................................................................................................................................... 12 Aborigines: tradition and displacement................................................................................. 14 Economic production and working life .......................................................................................... 17 Reconstructing a capital city economy........................................................................................ 17 Mining.............................................................................................................................................. 19 Agriculture...................................................................................................................................... 21 Developing South Australia’s manufacturing ........................................................................... 25 Working........................................................................................................................................... 29 Developing South Australia’s service industries........................................................................... 31 Water supply .................................................................................................................................. 31 Electricity......................................................................................................................................... 32 Transport......................................................................................................................................... 33 Architecture, engineering and construction............................................................................... 37 Housing ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Building settlements, towns and cities............................................................................................ 45 Special-purpose towns .................................................................................................................. 46 Industrial towns ............................................................................................................................. 47 Soldier settlements......................................................................................................................... 48 Adelaide and Elizabeth ................................................................................................................. 49 Politics and government.................................................................................................................... 51 Expanding the Commonwealth ................................................................................................... 51 Governing Playford’s South Australia........................................................................................ 53 Administering South Australians................................................................................................ 54 Managing migrants ................................................................................................................... 54 1 Providing services ..................................................................................................................... 56 Developing democracy.................................................................................................................. 58 Reforming local government.................................................................................................... 58 Struggling for the Aboriginal cause ........................................................................................ 58 Working for women’s rights .................................................................................................... 59 Defence in a Cold War................................................................................................................... 60 The social and cultural life of South Australians........................................................................... 61 Having fun ...................................................................................................................................... 61 Worshipping ................................................................................................................................... 63 Forming associations ..................................................................................................................... 64 Remembering the fallen ................................................................................................................ 66 Enjoying public spectacles............................................................................................................ 66 Creating ........................................................................................................................................... 66 Making homes ................................................................................................................................ 67 Homelessness.................................................................................................................................. 69 Conclusion........................................................................................................................................... 71 Chronology 1946–1959....................................................................................................................... 72 Bibliography........................................................................................................................................ 76 Primary Sources ............................................................................................................................. 76 Secondary Sources ......................................................................................................................... 76 Heritage Surveys............................................................................................................................ 80 Articles in journals, newspapers and newsletters ..................................................................... 81 Theses............................................................................................................................................... 82 Papers .............................................................................................................................................. 83 Interviews and recollections......................................................................................................... 83 Websites (general).......................................................................................................................... 83 Other ................................................................................................................................................ 84 Index..................................................................................................................................................... 85 2 South Australia showing the