Dumas House at Mount Barker: Lisa visits the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia
Mount barker is one of South Australia's fastest growing centres and little wonder as the freeway tunnels means it's within easy reach of the city. Mount Barker is rapidly growing as the "capital" of the Adelaide Hills but that doesn't mean it's lost its country charm or its tree-lined streets.
There's not a beach in sight but that hasn't stopped Mount Barker recently being named among Australia's top ten most desirable spots for a 'seachange'. Or maybe that should be a 'tree change' and on that score we can thank Charles Dumas.
The Dumas name is an important one in Mount Barker's history. In 1880, Charles Dumas founded the Mount Barker Courier - a bold move in the early days of the young colony. An astute businessman, Charles he tapped the infant advertising market and over the next fifty years he made the Courier a vital part of the local hills scene.
More than a century on that's still the case. But these days it's all computerised and papers fly off the presses at speeds old Charles would marvel at. The Courier's been the local rag in the area for over 100 years - so where does the term, local rag come from? We asked the Courier's current publisher, Kym Marston.
"Back in 1870s there was a shortage of paper caused by floods and the like," said Kym "The inventive, creative and ingenious editor the a newspaper called the "Ethridge Courier" wanted to get hold of some calico handkerchiefs and print his edition on that - hence the local rag was born.
"He's not the only one who has done it. I've read about quite a lot of papers doing one-ff editions on calico or silk mainly back in the 1870s and 1880s when there were shipment supply (problems)."
Charles Dumas became quite influential and even served in parliament. Besides the Courier, one of his great legacies is the impressive array of majestic trees for which Mount Barker is known.
Visit his family home, Dumas House and you'll marvel at the wonderful old Oak trees lining Druid's Avenue.
"He was the chairman of the tree planting association of mount barker," explained Dane Bartlett, the current owner of Dumas House. "He instigated the plantings of all the major trees that are around here. He had different tenders put out to see what sort of trees should be planted - peppertrees were even considered."
They decided on oaks and they're the ones we see today outside Dumas House.
The heritage-listed homestead, built of local stone is now a grand Bed and Breakfast. But you're never far from the influence of its original owner. He planted the giant Oak Tree in the back yard. It's over one hundred years old and is heritage listed. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Dumas House
11 Druids Ave
Mount Barker
Phone: 0417 814 815Published 12 March 2006
