Remembering Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Community Centre is asking residents (current and former) and visitors to share their memories and stories of Cheltenham.

Through this project we have identified that everyone has a different story about their life experience living or working in Cheltenham but the spirit is similar; loyalty, pride and a great appreciation of the social networks and family connections of being associated with this community.

The comment made by Rev Dean Eland in his book ‘Cheltenham Community and Church’ that ‘the fruit does not fall far from the tree’ is common in many stories we have heard so far during this project as many families who grew up in the Cheltenham area (or in close proximity) may have moved on to other areas but still share a strong sense and pride of being associated with this local area.

Rev Eland also makes reference in his book on the concept of ‘community’ - the local community, the occupational community and communities of association as people get together and develop those strong links and social support systems.

We at Cheltenham Community Centre have started this ‘blog’ to share the history of Cheltenham and invite you to add your story – they may be personal anecdotes about living, working in Cheltenham and the community in general.

We would like to thank everyone who has shown an interest in this project and we hope that it will continue to grow and become a true ‘community project’.

Alison Wall
Community Development Officer, City of Charles Sturt

Julie Glacken
Volunteer, Cheltenham Community Centre

Samir
Field Placement Student from Cambridge International College

And our special thanks and acknowledgement to Rev Dean Eland for letting us quote from and refer to from his publication “Cheltenham Community and Church – Introduction to an Adelaide suburban community and a local church.”

Finsbury/Pennington Migrant Hostel: Where are they now?

For more than 40 years the Finsbury Migrant Hostel was the first place thousands of new arrivals to Australia called home. The reality of this ‘home’ was often a shock; the living conditions and Adelaide climate in complete contrast to those expected and those left behind. While this was too much for some to bear, for most the Finsbury Migrant Hostel signalled the start of new beginnings.

As part of History Week 2008 the City of Charles Sturt is planning an activity that recognises and celebrates the different perspectives and experiences of the Finsbury Migrant Hostel.

But we need your help to get started.

Are you, members of your family or friends former Finsbury residents?
Did you live in the Pennington area during the time the hostel operated?
What are your memories and stories?

We encourage you to share these memories with us, either via this blog or by emailing Council's Cultural Heritage Project Officer llacey@charlessturt.sa.gov.au

We are interested in hearing anything and everything about the hostel - the good and the bad!

We want your thoughts on history!

Car accident, woodville, 1933. Image reproduced courtesy State Library of South Australia http://143.216.21.253/mpcimg/34730/b34595.jpg

The City of Charles Sturt has a complex and layered past.Land of an ancient culture in tune with the pattern of changing seasons, over time this place has been sculpted, shaped, drained, constructed and constructed upon to become the vibrant metropolitan city it is today.

Council wants to preserve and tell the history of the local area in ways that best capture the interestes of residents. You are invited to share your thoughts on the history of the City.

• What topics or stories of this area's past do you think should be preserved and told? (eg. migration, suburban boom, industry, farming, places, events, Indigenous, sport, housting trust)
  
  
• What special memories do you have of this area?

Searching for Brompton's BMX Bandits

The year is 1984.

Australian kids have gone mad over PJ, Goose and Judy.
Cruising the streets of Bowden-Brompton, Adelaide, is our very own pack of BMX Bandits.

They are:
Royce, George, Jodie, Scott, Paul, Jamie, Darren, Jason and Brenton.

Their turf:
Green Street Playground track - but not enough jumps so they take to the streets.

It was wondered, "where will the Bandits be in the year 2001?!!!".

So where were the Bandits in 2001 and where are they now? The Bandits would now be 35 to 40 years of age and we are asking for your help in tracking them down!

This story is just one of many that the City of Charles Sturt is hoping to uncover as part of a history walking route through the suburb of Brompton.

Post a comment to share your stories of the Bandits, and to leave clues to help us find them!