THE HISTORIC DRIVE BORDERTOWN CANNAWIGRA MUNDULLA
9. The Wirrega Council Chambers 1886-1888 The District Council of Wirrega was proclaimed on 30th July 1884. The councillors at this time were John Kennedy (Chairman), Edward Steer, Thomas Jewell, David Jones and William Carson. The area covered was the whole of the Hundred of Wirrega which extends from the East of Mundulla to Carew. Council Chambers were built and first used on 1st June 1886. The last meeting took place on 7th January 1888, when the Wirrega Council was then divided into two wards (Mundulla and Buckingham) of the Tatiara District Council. From 1888-1903, the Tatiara Council met in the old Wirrega Council Chambers until its own chambers were built in Bordertown in 1904. The building, used by the Mundulla Tennis Club for many years, was restored in 1973 and houses photographs relevant to the Wirrega Council history. During 1986 a commemorative council meeting was held by the local council in the old chambers. 10. Old Mundulla Hotel This is the oldest surviving building in Mundulla with the first section, built about 1876, originally the post office and store. In 1884 Mrs Ellen Jones from Bordertown Hotel applied for a licence for a hotel at Mundulla. The store moved to new premises across the road and rooms were added to the existing building. Mr Wallace of Salisbury purchased the hotel in December 1911 and transferred the license to premises in the new town of Waikerie. The hotel closed in 1912. From 1912 to 1974 it was used as a private residence, boarding house and store room. It was purchased by the National Trust in 1974, restored and became a museum. From 1994 it was a licensed restaurant and gallery. It was sold by the National Trust and opened in 2003 as the Heritage Listed local pub. 11. Moot-Yang-Gunya Swamp The Moot-Yang-Gunya Swamp is fed with water from the Nalang Creek. There is water in it two out of every three years and it fills approximately once every seventh year. The swamp helps feed the underground water system. In the 19th century, there were two saw mills for log cutting. There are many birds and animals living in and around the swamp. Examples of birds include three or four different types of Duck, Swans, Moorhens, Herons, Night Herons, Spoonbills, Golden Whistlers, Red Robins, Silver Eyes, Weebills, Pardalotes, Regent Kingfishers and Kookaburras. Some other wildlife are brown snakes, yabbies, lizards (Sleepy Lizards and Bearded Dragons) and of course, rabbits. Be sure to allow time to follow the walking trail before continuing your trip eastward on the highway into Bordertown. 12. Dr Penny and “Charla” 35.7km on right Formerly the Deputy Colonial Surgeon at Robe, Dr R. Penny was persuaded, in 1859, to set up practice and become the first resident doctor for the district. In 1864, Dr Penny spent 765 pounds on building a house and other improvements. He named the house “Charla”.
Sargeant’s Water Hole by Blake Hammond
He practiced at “Charla” from 1859 until his death in 1887. His practise covered 100 square miles, necessitating many hours on horse back or buggy over rough tracks visiting his patients. When he was practising, the importance of sterilisation was unknown, but Dr Penny suspected there was a connection between dirty instruments and deaths. Many people owed their lives to him and his realisation of the importance of hygiene. Dr Penny’s surgery was at the eastern part of the home next to the room which he used as a hospital. Residents’ needs were looked after by Dr Penny’s daughters. He was the only doctor serving the new town of Bordertown and the farmers in the agricultural area surrounding the town. When Dr Penny died, his son’s family lived at “Charla” and Mr Samuel Penny then worked the land. After his death, the farm was sold outside the family. In recognition of Dr Penny’s contribution to the district, the elderly citizens’ units at the Bordertown Hospital have been named “Charla Lodge”. Restricted Access - Private Property 13. Clayton Farm 38.5km on left Clayton Farm is situated 2kms out of Bordertown on the Naracoorte Road. In 1871, Mr August Wiese selected 680 acres and grew oats and wheat and grazed sheep and cows. The surrounding farmland is still owned by the Wiese family. There are several interesting buildings on the historic farm. Clayton Homestead was built to replace the original two roomed home in which the family lived from 1872-1885. The Shearing Shed has large tree trunks as its framework, chosen for their particular positions. The roof is straw and branches packed down with mud. It is quite modern and has many of the features a present day shearing shed would have. The shed is classified by the National Trust. A display of restored farm machinery is housed in a shed built for the purpose. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 4pm. Sunday from 1pm - 4pm. Other times by appointment. Travel back along Naracoorte Road to Hubl’s Road and travel along it to Frances Road. Turn right. 14. Wiese’s Horse Dip 41.9km on left This horse dip was built in 1931 by local landholders using timber from nearby buloke trees. Its main function was to control a parasitic itch in working horses (Clydesdales). Horses were walked into the dip and, due to the horses’ size, the operators bucketed and sponged the solution over the horses to complete the task. Reverse direction and travel back to Bordertown along Frances Road.
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