Millicent National Trust Museum

09/04/2026

Ready for a cuppa and a yarn!
See you there 👋🏼

19/03/2026

How fabulous is this?!

06/03/2026

🙌

17/02/2026

Behind our interesting and incredible displays there is a hive of activity 🔨 🎨
And this is just one of our many stories 📖

The Port Pirie Ice Cream cart was restored by the Millicent Museum's volunteers over the past 12 months and recently was picked up by Jack Ryan from the Port Pirie Museum

17/02/2026

We are proud of our volunteer!

Loreto Cataldi is a Volunteer at the museum working on the restoration of Horse Drawn Vehicles.

His art work is now on display at the library's art gallery.

Go and check out his other pieces. Quite fascinating and worth a visit

30/12/2025

Dr David John Harris

Article by Fred Smith
The SE Voice

THE four decades of service to Millicent and district of the late Dr David Harris (O.A.M.) has been acknowledged by Wattle Range Council.
An exhibition room at the Millicent Visitor Information Centre has recently been re-named the Dr David Harris Gallery.
New signage was sourced from Matt Cockrum of Cocky’s Signs while an information panel detailing his life has been added.
This was researched and written by council staff.
The room had earlier been named in his honour in the early 1990s but the references to Dr Harris had largely since fallen into disuse as its lay-out slightly changed.
The naming of the room was a decision of the long-defunct Millicent Tourist Centre Management Committee and in recognition of the service of Dr Harris to it.
Following an approach from a member of the public as part of the 2025/26 budget-setting process, council decided to add additional signage and include a summary of the achievements of Dr Harris.
Dr Harris was a highly-respected GP in Millicent between 1954 and his death from a brain tumour in 1996.
After service with the Royal Australian Navy during World War 11, he studied medicine at the University of Adelaide.
He founded the Millicent National Trust and the Millicent Museum, was St John Ambulance Brigade honorary surgeon, Millicent Hospital principal medical officer and a member of the South East Cultural Trust.
His service was recognised with the awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia.
A plaque honouring Dr Harris remains in place within the museum which is attached to the Millicent Visitor Information Centre.

NEW NAME: Millicent Visitor Information Centre staffer Sallie Jones with the new information panel at the re-named Dr David Harris Gallery. Picture: Fred Smith

Thankyou Fred and Thankyou Wattle Range Council

10/12/2025

Isn’t this a fabulous memory and a great talking point of our township

MILLICENT, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Did you know that Millicent was named in 1870 after Millicent Glen (née Short), daughter of Adelaide’s first Bishop? Millicent was born at Ravensthorpe Rectory in Northamptonshire, England on 29 September 1837 and her family’s roots remain strong in the South East even now. Millicent herself lived to the remarkable age of ninety‑four.

If you look closely at the photo, you’ll see the Grand Hotel proudly lining the right-hand side of the street. As reported in The Millicent Times on 15 September 1900, architect T. Hall of Mount Gambier designed the building, while H. Knight, also from Mount Gambier, managed its construction. Both men pushed hard to meet their deadline, and thanks to their efforts the Grand Hotel threw open its doors on 12 September 1900.

When you visit Millicent, pop in for a drink or a bite at the Grand Hotel, then stretch your legs with a guided historic walk. If you’re craving more local flavour, the Millicent Museum, with its array of restored horse‑drawn buggies, is not to be missed. You’ll find links to all three below:

https://www.grandhotelmillicent.com

https://www.walkingsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Millicent-History-and-Art-Brochure-2019.pdf

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/millicent-museum/

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/millicent-museum/

This edited picture is from the State Records of South Australia (SRSA GRG 7/69/603). You can find the unedited black and white image in the comments or by using the link below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-sa/22323888876/in/photostream/

Special thanks to the State Records of South Australia, Trove, the SE Voice and Walk SA

Edited and colourised by Kelly Bonato of A Colourful History.

Copyright © Kelly Bonato 2025. All image editing, enhancement and colourisation is subject to copyright. You are welcome to share this post, but the image alone cannot be copied or shared without permission.

05/12/2025

Monday
Looking forward to seeing you!

New date 📅 Dec 8
Same place and same intent
Come along and help us run this incredible museum.

11/11/2025

New date 📅 Dec 8
Same place and same intent
Come along and help us run this incredible museum.

13/10/2025

We’ve wrapped up another incredible Wheelwrighting Workshop with seasoned wheelwright Kerry Riehl.

Participants from Tasmania to Townsville learned the art of crafting a 12-spoke wooden wheel using traditional tools — and each took home their very own finished wheel.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped keep this remarkable heritage trade alive. 👏

Interested in joining this workshop? Save the date for next year's course on 3-7 October. Bookings coming soon.

25/07/2025