Articles & News
Are you interested in heritage buildings, the conservation process, or the stories of people who lived long ago? Browse through these pages and discover treasures of the past.
Fighting frosts
“The worst frosts in 55 vintages" have recently destroyed crops, devastating both wineries and growers.1 Farmers in Light Pass 100 years ago knew exactly how that feels. They also experienced devastation caused by frosts, as time after time frosts would wipe out...
Ring those bells!
Ring those bells! Surely one of the most iconic sounds of the Barossa must be the sound of bells ringing out over the countryside. Since the early days of German settlement, the bells in the Barossa have been busy - calling the faithful to worship on Sundays,...
Advent traditions
The season of Advent begins today. Do you use an Advent calendar? This tradition – as well as that of the Advent wreath - originated in Germany and would have been part of Christmas preparations for many of the German settlers here in Australia. Advent (Latin - ‘to...
We’re on to the footings!
We began 2023 with the installation of the new roof on the cottage, protecting her from all the wild weather that's been happening. And we are ending with an equally big job - working on the footings. This is another major stage, and after many somewhat frustrating...
Barossa weddings – a chance to celebrate.
Who doesn’t love a wedding? We all love a happy event, and a reason to celebrate. And the Barossa Germans certainly loved to celebrate a wedding. Back in the 1800’s, weddings were usually held on a Thursday to allow for three days of celebrations to be held (what an...
Significant journeys – Bethesda Mission, Lake Killalpaninna
Have you ever made a journey to see a place of significance in the history of your family? Where did you go, and how was it? Did you feel a sense of connection there? Stephen Reuther, a Rechner descendent, makes a journey to the place where his great-grandfather lived...