Avenue Range – a community history
A small South Australian community with a big history
Avenue Range is in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia’s South East. It is the ancient traditional lands of the indigenous Wattatonga tribe in the Bunganditj/Boandik nation. The first European settler was pastoralist, John ‘Jacky’ White, who came to the region in the 1840s.
Since then, the community has grown and evolved in many ways. Agriculture uses have changed and the community has changed with it. Valued services and facilities that once served the community have been replaced by either technology or social progress. Local characters and personalities have come and gone and lived and died—all leaving their unique mark on our community.
The significance of these people, the changes in agriculture, and the once relied upon services and facilities, have shaped our small rural community to give us a rich history.
This website is our version of creating a ‘living community history’ by sharing stories told by the very people who have lived and worked here.
Explore our website and immerse yourself in the history of Avenue Range.
Acknowledgement – Traditional Owners
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this region, the Bungandidj (Boandik) people, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. Information on the traditional owners can be found in Chapter 1 of ‘Life on the Range’
Avenue Range Quick Stats
Traditional landowner: Wattatonga tribe, Bunganditj/Boandik nation
European Settlement: 1840s
Land use: Agriculture
Region size: 320 km2
Population (2016): 111 people, 31 families, median age 39
Electorate: Mackillop (state), Barker (federal), Kingston District and Naracoorte Lucindale (local)
Neighbouring communities: Blackford, Bowaka, Conmurra, Keilira, Lucindale, Minecrow, Murrabinna, Reedy Creek, Townsend and Woolumbool
Life on the Range
Published in 1986, Life on the Range is a collection of historical notes and recollections written and compiled by current and former residents of this historic area. Its stories covers a period of time from the first know indigenous inhabitents and white settlers through to some of the more recents arrivals in Avenue Range in the 1970s and 80s.
Featured stories
‘My time at Avenue Range and Beyond’ by Stephen Hill
I was born on 19th January 1945 at Hamley Bridge, South Australia, while Dad was fighting the Japanese in Moratai. We lived at Maitland until 1950. My family included my parents Bob and Emily, my two brothers, Roger and Greg and my two sisters Jenny and Julienne....
Avenue Range School in 1941
In 1941 the school inspector in South Australia’s south east invited schools to contribute a 2-age summary of their school. This was the contribution from the Avenue Range school.
A Brief History of the Avenue Range School and Church
This article gives a brief history of the Avenue Range school and church printed by Herald Print in Naracoorte, author and date unknown.
This community history project has been funded by the History Trust of South Australia
along with a generous in-kind donation from a former local.