Lobethal Tapestry: Lisa marvels at history in action in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia
It seems there's always something happening at the old Onkaparinga Woolen Mills that dominate the streetscape of Lobethal. Pop in any weekend or Public Holiday and you'll find the bustling Heart of the Hills Market - a showcase of all things local.
The market is the perfect use for the sprawling buildings that have dominated the valley dubbed the 'valley of praise' by its Lutheran settlers when they arrived here way back in 1842. Tucked away in one corner of the market, the Lobethal Heritage Association has salvaged some of the machinery that used to fill the hall.
Chris Mackintosh, 'The Lobethal Tapestry': "This is an old creel that was used up until 1993 when the factory closed down. The creel contains the bobbins of yarn which run right through onto the warping mill."
That chapter of Lobethal's history began in 1869 when W. Kramm from Hahndorf moved wool-weaving machinery into an old brewery on the site. In 1887 it became the SA Woolen Company and prospered - eventually becoming the Onkaparinga Woolen Mills.
Famous around the world for its blankets and cloth, the mill was the lifeblood of Lobethal for more than a century before being closed in 1993. Desperate to keep Lobethal's history alive, a group of locals have banded together to weave the stories of their town into what has become known as 'The Lobethal Tapestry'. Chris Mackintosh says the old mill is the perfect place.
Chris Mackintosh, 'The Lobethal Tapestry': "That's why I chose the idea of a tapestry to be woven here to tell the story of Lobethal because this was such an important weaving centre in our state."
Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday these tapestry-weaving converts sit in front of the upright loom or haute lisse under the watchful and very patient eye of professional tapestry weaver, Katharina Urban.
It's a real study of collective concentration as the ladies painstakingly follow the design sketched on the 'cartoon' or outline hanging behind the loom. Katharina says it's the use of colours that bring the tapestry to life.
Katharina Urban, Master Weaver: "We look at the design and we choose the colours and vary them - seven different strands. That way we achieve the shade exactly in the tapestry, as we need it. So it's almost like bringing the colours together in a painting."
The tapestry was designed by local artist Ellie Webb and depicts significant events in Lobethal's history like the original inhabitants of the valley, the ship that brought the first group of settlers to the colony, early settlement and more contemporary events like Australia's first grand prix - raced around the streets of Lobethal in 1937. Of course the woolen mills are depicted - along with the armed forces.
Chris Mackintosh, 'The Lobethal Tapestry': "The army, navy and airforce are strongly represented. Of course people served in the two World Wars and the Boar War and the fabric for all of their uniforms and gray blankets were made at the mill."
This is one project that simply can't be rushed. Even though work began in September last year and is still only about a third of the way through, it's still attracting a lot of attention on market days.
Chris Mackintosh: "People look with amazing awe at the small scale of the actual finger work compared to the large scale of the beautiful tapestry itself and the wonderful colours that are coming in. People will appreciate it as a work of art and hopefully they'll be inquisitive enough to ask what the little icon are which will give the history of Lobethal - so it's historic as well as artistic."
It's hoped the Lobethal Tapestry will be completed by the end of 2009. In the meantime you can keep an eye on its progress at the Heart of the Hills Market every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Public Holiday. It's at Number One Lobethal Road and is open from 10 till 4. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Heart of the Hills Market
Old Woolen Mills
Lobethal
Open Fri, Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
10am - 4pm
www.adelaidehillsmarket.comPublished 26th April 2009
