Tiled Tabletop Tour

Celebrating 150 years in Mitcham
Tabling our Heritage
Tour
Park Ward tabletop installation,
R. Tamblyn, M. Almond,
V. Manson, P. Vivian, M. Ragless
Overton Ward table unveiling by Mayor
Ivan Brooks, March 2004.
Discover the features, uniqueness, personalities and landmarks of each ward and give yourself and
friends the opportunity to appreciate the city's heritage.
AA Bailey Reserve, Clarence Gdns
Mitcham City Band played at each
opening
Background
The village of Mitcham was founded in 1840 near Brownhill Creek, on land owned by the South Australian
Company. In 1853 the District Council of Mitcham was established, becoming only the second local
government body to be formed in SA, after the City of Adelaide.
In 2003 the City of Mitcham commemorated its 150th birthday, and to mark these celebrations, a set of
commemorative tiled picnic tables were built, and installed in each of the six wards that make up Mitcham
today. These practical tables are designed to present Mitcham's history in an informative and visual manner,
which will encourage appreciation of our unique heritage.
The idea for the tables was inspired by similar picnic settings created by artists Jim and Ronda Dunstan at
the Colin Thiele Gardens in Eudunda.
Creating the Tables
The result of 454 volunteer hours and committed team work
over 12 months, the tiled tables not only depict Mitcham's rich
and varied heritage, but are themselves an embodiment of the
strong sense of community still present in the district.
Each table proudly displays the unique local landmarks,
significant sites and buildings, local industry, and prominent
past residents relevant to the respective ward. Just for fun, a
'find it' game is incorporated into each table design.
Research and collation of the Information and images
Ward installation, C. James, R. Tamblyn,
incorporated into the tables was undertaken by Maggy Ragless, Babbage
M. Winders, D. Lane, M. Ragless, V. Manson, P. Vivian,
community historian, and local volunteers from the Heritage
M. Almond
Support team. Information and images were sourced from the
local history collection held at the Mitcham Heritage Research Centre and the community
Artists Jim and Ronda Dunstan designed and created the tiled table tops, which included the painstaking
task of hand painting, firing and glazing each of the 112 ceramic tiles.
Construction of the bases and installation of the tops was done
by Mitcham Depot staff, and the Heritage Support Team. The
tiled table-tops are laid on a base made of local Mitcham stone,
edged with bricks made by the former Metropolitan Brick
Company of Eden Hills.
A separate official unveiling was held for each of the tables, and
these events were eagerly supported by members of the public.
Festivities on the day included bus tours, face painting, and
music by the Mitcham City Band.
Building the table base, R. Tamblyn, P. Vivian, D. Lane
Now, why not take yourself on a tour around the Mitcham District, visiting each
of the six tables. You will need a vehicle, and don't forget to pack a picnic! Start
wherever you like (see map on back), and allow at least 2 hours.
Gault Ward
This ward is named after medical practitioners Dr Arthur Gault and his son Dr Kyle Gault, who served the
Mitcham district from 1888-1950.
Table Location: Bachelor Reserve, Norseman Ave (western end), Westbourne Park.
Special Features: The base of this table features Mitcham sandstone and bluestone, reflecting the
material used in many of the surrounding houses.
Game: Look for Dr Gault's 10 patients on the table top
Park Facilities: Tennis court, Playground, Toilets
Park Ward
Named after the many parks in this council ward, particularly Belair
National Park - one of the 10 oldest in Australia.
Table Location: Minno Reserve, Sherwood Road (opposite
Nottingham Way), Glenalta.
Special Features: The base of this table features creek stones, often
used in the early settlers' cottages.
Game: Look for the 10 sailors who jumped ship and settled along
Coromandel valley
Park Facilities: Playground, shade
Park Ward installation, P. Vivian, M. Almond,
M. Winders
Babbage Ward
Named after Benjamin Herschel Babbage (1815-1978) who was a railway engineer, explorer,
horticulturalist, and the Council's first Chairman.
Table Location: Francis St Reserve, Francis St (by Rupert Ave), Bedford Park
Special Features: The base includes very hard quartzite from the Ayliffe Quarry (opened in the late 1830s)
and is edged with Burbank brick. The brick was possibly made by the Walpole family who used concrete
coated with sand due to building material shortages after World War II. The base is highlighted with rose
china chips representing Benjamin Babbage's home 'The Rosary'.
Game: Look for kookaburras
Park Facilities: BBQ, Playground, shade, close to Flinders Medical Centre and bus stop
Overton Ward
This ward is named after Thomas Overton (1804-1869) who served on
the first District Council of Mitcham
Table Location: AA Bailey Recreation Ground, Neville Ave (eastern
end), Clarence Gardens
Special Features: The base of this table features the foundation stone
from the demolished Edwardstown Institute, formerly situated on the
corner of South Rd and Neville Ave.
Game: Look for fowls that everyone had in their backyards
Park Facilities: BBQ, playground, shelter and shade
Overton Ward table, inserting the foundation
stone from the Edwardstown Institute, J.
Dunstan
Boorman Ward
Named after Lawrence Dalby Boorman (1886-1950), the longest serving
town clerk for Mitcham.
Table Location: Mitcham Reserve, Old Belair Road (by Norman Walk),
Mitcham
Special Features: The base incorporates dressed sandstone from the
demolished Brady Cottage (built in the 1840s), Ayliffe stone, bluestone and
creek stone. The china chips decorating the base came from donations by
Syd Buscombe (1906-2002) and from Brady's Cottage in Mitcham Village.
Game: Look for the quarryman's 10 shovels
Overton Ward table installtion,
P. Vivian, M. Almond
Park Facilities: Historic Keystone Bridge, BBQ, Playground, undercover
seating, rotunda, toilets
Craigburn Ward
Named after Craigburn Farm, which was gradually established
between 1845 and 1853 (comprising over 800 acres) by Peter
Cumming who served on the first council.
Table Location: Waite Reserve, Waite St (by Young St),
Blackwood
Game: Look for the 10 pigs which escaped from the piggery on
Craigburn Farm
Park Facilities: BBQ, Playground, basketball rings.
Craigburn Ward table installation, R. Dunstan,
M. Ragless, Don, P. Vivian, D. Lane, M.
Almond
Table top production and artwork by Jim and Ronda Dunstan of 'Gumvale' via Eudunda. Ph: (08) 8581
1505
Construction by the Mitcham Heritage Research Centre Support Team. 103 Princes Rd, Mitcham SA
5062. Ph: (08) 8372 8261
Sponsored by the City of Mitcham. 131 Belair Rd, Torrens Park SA 5062. Ph: (08) 8372 8888
Prepared by Mitcham Local History Service and Heritage Research Centre,
103b Princes Rd, Mitcham, SA 5062. Ph 8372 8261
November 2009