Our Stories
Building a shared history of Avenue Range
This is a growing and living collection of stories told direct by people from the Avenue Range community, past and present. If you would like to add your story, please use the file upload section on our contact page. Or please email us for more information.
‘My time at Avenue Range and Beyond’ by Stephen Hill
I was born on 19th January 1945 at Hamley Bridge, South Australia, while Dad was fighting the Japanese in Moratai. We lived at Maitland until 1950. My family included my parents Bob and Emily, my two brothers, Roger and Greg and my two sisters Jenny and Julienne....
Avenue Range School in 1941
In 1941 the school inspector in South Australia’s south east invited schools to contribute a 2-age summary of their school. This was the contribution from the Avenue Range school.
A Brief History of the Avenue Range School and Church
This article gives a brief history of the Avenue Range school and church printed by Herald Print in Naracoorte, author and date unknown.
The Avenue Store by Heather Sanders
the avenue store by heather sanders (nee thomas) Heather Sanders (nee Thomas) worked at the Avenue Store for Norma and Dick Benger for five and a half years in the early 1960s. They sold the store to Norm and Wilma Whitbread and Heather continued to...
A 50 Year History of the Avenue Store
A 50 Year History of the Avenue Store and Post Office The Avenue Store played a unique role in the Avenue community and served locals and passers-by for half a century. It was considered the hub of the community for decades and was significant to locals in...
The History of ‘The Pig’ of Avenue Range
The History of 'The Pig' of Avenue Range 'The Pig’ of Avenue Range has a rich and unassuming history. Many outside the community are unaware of this much loved community mascot, or the friendly neighbourhood rivalry it brings to those living in the community....
Christmas comes to Avenue Range in 2019, report by ‘Candi Kaine’
Christmas comes to Avenue Range in 2019, report by Candi Kaine The annual Avenue Range community Christmas extravaganza was held with the usual pomp and ceremony. Around 40 people gathered to catch up on the year’s events, exclaiming “is it December already?” and...
‘By the Way’ Gallery – by Mrs Phyl McDowall
Mrs Phyllis McDowall talks about her involvement with the Red Cross when they managed the 'By the Way' gallery in the old Avenue school. You can read more about the Avenue school and church in chapter 5 of 'Life on the Range'. By the Way Gallery In the mid-1950s...
Sydney Bushfire Report by John Hensel (2002)
This story appeared in The Avenue Ranger, 2nd edition, March 2002 (click here to read the full newsletter). Sydney Bushfire Report by John Hensel (2002) On Thursday 3rd January [2002], Ian Jenke, Ashley Wilkin, Rob Legoe and myself left Naracoorte by bus for Adelaide....
Avenue locals become ‘Electric Rodeo’ road-crew
Volunteers from Avenue Range chip in to help Lee Kernaghan’s road-crew following the Great Southern Muster, held in Lucindale, South Australia, November 2003
Avenue lights up for the festive season
The Pomery family of Avenue Range light up for the festive season with a Christmas lighting spectacular—December 2002
Avenue Range’s first European settler: John ‘Jacky’ White
Most of us have heard or seen the name Jacky White, but very few of us know who he was and why his name is preserved in our local history. Let’s explore the man behind the name and find out how he found himself in our part of the world. Over 170 years ago, in 1843, a...
South East Drainage System
Over 150 years ago, in 1863, an important inspection of the South East took place by South Australian government officials, George Goyder (Surveyor General), William Hanson (Engineer-in-Chief and architect) and William Milne (Commissioner of Public Works). The trip...
Sad Times in the Early 1900s
We should take our hats off to the pioneering families that came before us. They had a tough time living in this region and they had plenty to endure. Here’s a sad article in the Naracoorte Herald in 1906 reporting the death of young Jock Hensley, of Cairnbank, who...