Edithburgh Progress Association Inc

09/06/2026

At first glance, this looks like a dramatic coastal cliff. In fact, it is Lake Fowler.

This wonderful old photograph, reproduced in The Chronicle in 1932, shows the towering gypsum workings beside what is now one of Yorke Peninsula's most recognisable salt lakes.

The brilliant white 'cliffs' were not natural formations. They were created by decades of quarrying as workers extracted gypsum from the lake's edge.

Standing beside the stacked bags, the workers appear tiny against the massive excavation. By the early 1930s, thousands of tons of gypsum were being exported through Edithburgh each year for use in cement, plaster products, fertiliser and industry.

Today, many visitors know Lake Fowler for its changing colours and unique landscape, but few realise it was once the centre of another thriving mining operation.

Over the coming weeks we'll share more of the fascinating stories behind Lake Fowler, including the men who worked here, the gypsum industry that helped build South Australia, and the surprising connection between this quiet salt lake and the bustling port of Edithburgh.

07/06/2026

When the Governor-General came to Edithburgh...

This remarkable photograph, taken by local photographer E.R.R. Edwards around 1904, captures an extraordinary moment in Edithburgh's history: the arrival of the Governor-General of Australia and his party at Edithburgh Jetty.

The caption identifies the Governor-General's party being escorted from the jetty by Mayor W. Baker, with a large crowd gathered to witness the occasion. At the time, Edithburgh was one of the most important ports in South Australia, serving as a gateway to the district long before modern highways connected the region.

The visitor is believed to have been Lord Northcote, who served as Governor-General from 1904 to 1908. While we are uncertain of the details, the visit was clearly significant enough for much of the town to turn out in their finest attire to welcome the vice-regal party.

Looking closely at the photograph, you can see the jetty tramway rails beneath their feet, used to transport goods and luggage along the jetty. What was then a bustling working port also became the stage for one of the most distinguished visits in Edithburgh's history.

07/06/2026

Yet another amazing capture by AdBe Photography ... did you know they have a website? For more stunning images, and where to buy them, visit https://adbephotography.com.au/

05/06/2026

We all love Soxy, don't miss it!

What’s coming up at the Location!
This weekend on Sunday Sesh with Soxy’s Music at 5 and Soph’s Currys

04/06/2026

🐇Did you know ... Lake Fowler’s English name is in honour of William Fowler (1821–1901), the lessee of vast tracts of pastoral land on southern Yorke Peninsula, and later, at Yarraroo near Port Arthur. Both were later surveyed and sold off to agriculturalists.

Fowler was also infamously responsible for introducing rabbits to the region. Importing them from England in the late 1850s, for pets and hunting, he introduced them to some old wombat holes near the old homestead.

They, of course, bred ‘like rabbits’ and within a generation the district was overrun. Bounties and poisoning campaigns followed, and Fowler himself apparently spent a small fortune trying to undo the damage. By September 1886, the South Australian government had spent £1,500 (equivalent to ≈ $500,000 today) in the previous 6 months on eradication.

Fowler was said to be a meticulous man, regularly carrying a tape measure to ensure his paddocks were ploughed to the correct depth, but he got it very wrong on this occasion!

01/06/2026

Long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) are often in residence along our coast, sometimes lazing in the sun, and others frollicking in the water. Sometimes the bane of fishermen, it’s delightful to see them back from the brink of extinction. Before South Australia was even colonised, seal hunters and whalers exploited the once-abundant species almost to extinction for their pelts and oil by the 1830s. Fortunately, since their protection, they’re recovering in number, and the South Australian population makes up about 83 percent of the total number of long-nosed fur seals in Australia.

They’re fascinating creatures, often called puppies of the sea. Males can grow up to two metres long and weigh well over 150 kg, while females are much smaller and more graceful in the water. These seals are superb divers and hunters. Most dives last around one to two minutes, though some individuals have been recorded staying submerged for over ten minutes and reaching depths of more than 350 metres in search of fish and squid. They’re fast, agile swimmers and can even surf, breaking waves for sheer enjoyment. On land they’re surprisingly nimble too, using their flippers to haul themselves up steep rock shelves and ledges that seem impossible to climb. Although often reported as being in distress, seals will often float or sunbake with a flipper sticking up in the air, but they’re just regulating their body temperature. They make a whole range of odd sounds from bleats to grumbles and barks. As much as we love them, and they look so docile bathing in the sun, they are wild animals and can be unpredictable.

⚠️❎ Do not get closer than 30 metres to a seal if it is on land. In the water, prescribed vessels like jet skis and ski boats must stay 300 metres away from seals, while motorised vessels, sail boats and kayaks should not get any closer than 50 metres. Swimmers should stay at least 30 metres away. ⚠️❎

📷 Fabulous seal photos by Shirley Thompson
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30/05/2026

This will be a huuuge day, so get behind it and give what you can 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

29/05/2026

How good is this!

29/05/2026

Don't miss this! It's the week we play at home against CMS Crows

On Saturday July 4th, from 9am-3pm we’ll have extra offerings in our store and gallery space for our Winter Market! Come and meet some of our artisans & experience tasty treats, artisan wares, winter woolies, beautiful bouquets and live tunes.