Adelaide - South West Corner of: Keith explores this the forgotten quarter of the Adelaide City region
St Luke's Church is a well-known landmark on Whitmore Square in the city. When it was built in the mid 19th century the Minister said he feared for the people living in the suburb behind because they lived in 'rotten little hovels'. Mercifully all that has changed. Paris has its French Quarter, Adelaide has its fourth or forgotten quarter - the South West Corner.
We're talking about the part of the city square mile bounded by West and South Terrace, Gouger and Morphett Streets. It's an area with oodles of variety - a kaleidoscope of historic houses and shops, modern buildings and rows of quaint cottages.
It is a slice of the city with a rare and rich sense of 'community'. To show us around I tracked down a local bloke and arranged to meet him outside another landmark in this part of Adelaide - the Sturt Street School. Ken Gutte has fond memories of the old 1880s school. He trained here in the 1950s and went on to teach here in the 60s when it was a so-called a Demonstration School. That's where 'green' young teachers would come to prepare for their postings to one-teacher schools in the country.
It's resurrected now as a city school but back then, Ken says this fine, solid stone building was a real focus for the community. "It was a school that had tremendous loyalty. It was like a second home to many of the children around here."
For decades the school galvanised the community and helped foster an understanding of multiculturalism in what was a very diverse population.
"Remember that at that time there were a lot of migrants moving into the area during the late 40s and 50s," said Ken. "These people didn't have a great deal of association with the city of Adelaide or the people of South Australia."
On their way home from school the kids would pass another Sturt Street landmark - the handsome old chemist shop, later made famous by Afghan naturopath and herbalist, Mahomet Allum.
"We heard about all the wonderful things he had done and how he had cured this and that and so there was intrigue and fascination every time you went past Mahomet Allum's shop," laughed Ken.
There was some intrepidation too given the advertisements boasting of Mohamet's 'extraordinary healing powers' and the mystery cleanser he called 'blackjack".
Get into the back streets and you'll unearth a real secret. How about Australia's very first mosque? It's easy to find as its tall slender minarets guide you to Little Gilbert Street. They've been summoning Moslems for prayer here for more than one hundred years.
Shefic Talavanic, the Mosque's long-time President is full of stories about the place. "There were two old fellas here and one of them said 'I've got a little bit of money I'd like to build two minarets here in front'.
"And the other said 'ooh that's a very good idea, a very good idea!' Then he built it, he said 'Ah you've built these two, I will build the two in front but they might be a little taller than yours! And they are taller!" he laughed.
The 1889 mosque beneath connects the South West Corner with the outback. It was funded mainly by retired Afghan cameleers who had worked on the Great Northern Railway and Overland line.
Amidst the modern commercial premises there are still traces of the old industries that thrived in this working class area. No sign of the dairy company that used to be here but the ice-cream cone factory building is still on Sturt Street. In the 1920s the McNiven Brothers ice-cream cone factory was a popular spot with the kids. On baking days the tantalising aroma of the fresh wafers drifted towards the school and resulted in the kids crowding around the door begging for handfuls of broken cones.
Wander into the side streets and it's easy to imagine them full of kids from a host of backgrounds. The SW Corner is still a very much lived-in city quarter where a yarn over the fence comes naturally.
We bumped into Katina Patitas doing just that over her front fence. She arrived here from Greece nearly 50 years ago and with her husband, bought the house she still lives in - complete with veggie garden.
Katina's a real 'gem' around here and is typical of the good-hearted nature and down-to-earth fabric of the area.
There's no set track to follow to explore this part of the city. Just start in Sturt Street and then get off into the side streets to discover the South West corner.
The Adelaide City Council has produced a handy guide to the area. Pick up a copy from the Pirie Street Customer Centre, the Sturt Street City Centre or download it from the city website. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
"Historic South West Corner" booklet.
Available from ACC Customer Centre.
25 Pirie St.
AdelaideAdelaide South West Community Centre.
171 Sturt St.
AdelaidePublished 20th August 2006
