Town Walk
Explanation & Significance of Town Walk
With the support of our community and the Yorke Peninsula Council, Warooka Progress Association has created a local history walking tour, so that visitors can learn about the heritage of Warooka and the surrounding districts. The tour can be easily walked in an hour, or longer, if you prefer. It commences at the Warooka Visitors Information Outlet.
Each sign has a link to WPA website and warooka primary school will be looking to include some video, picture as well before the 150th.
Warooka Council & RSL Hall
The Town Walk is designed to guide visitors through Warooka’s rich history, connecting them with important sites, stories, and landmarks. It helps locals and visitors alike understand how the town has grown and evolved over the years.
- Preserve and share Warooka’s local history and heritage
- Educate visitors and residents about important sites and stories
- Encourage exploration of the township
- Strengthen community pride and identity
- Enhance the visitor experience in Warooka
Town Walk Signs
Warooka Council & RSL Hall
The area covered by the District Council of Warooka was 146,890 hectares (362,690 acres), bounded by the Peesey Swamp to the East, and by the sea on all other sides – 177km of coastline. The first chairman was Thomas Robertson and the first clerk was Joseph Vigar. Meetings were first held at the home of Mrs Baker until 1890, and later Mr Keightley, until a council office and reading room were built at the rear of the Institute in 1898. When the Memorial Hall was built in 1928 a council office and library were incorporated at the front of the new hall.
In 1947 a ratepayers poll gave council the power to borrow to build a new office and RSL Clubrooms. Planning began in 1953 and the building opened in 1956. Since the amalgamation of the District Councils of Warooka, Yorketown, Minlaton and Central Yorke Peninsula in 1997, this office become a branch of the Yorke Peninsula Council at that time.The Yorke Peninsula Council office in Warooka was closed in 2018, at which time,
Warooka Council & RSL Hall
Warooka Progress continued to use this site for meetings, also operating the Warooka Visitor Information Outlet with support from Yorke Peninsula Council from 2021.
Until the end of World War 2 returned servicemen of the Warooka district belonged to the Yorketown sub-branch of the RSL. In January 1946 a sub-branch was formed at Warooka with President FGS Ball, Secretary WH Baker and 21 members present at the first meeting. At the February meeting a move was made to approach Warooka District Council for assistance with clubrooms. In 1956 the new clubrooms and council offices were opened and the sub-branch moved into its own quarters. For many years the Warooka RSL organised the ANZAC services. At first these were held on the afternoon of the Sunday nearest ANZAC Day in the Memorial Hall, but since the late 1960s, dawn services have been held on ANZAC Day in front of the council office, followed by a march to the memorial gates at the oval – these being the district’s World War 2 Memorial (LINK).
Warooka Institute & Memorial Hall
From 1884 when the first Institute Hall was opened, it was the centre of entertainment for the near Warooka area. Dances and concerts were held regularly, and concert parties of variable worth toured country areas. Control of the Institute was passed to Council in 1892, and from then the school held its break-up concert there each year. By 1908 moving pictures were regular entertainment at the Hall, held on Wednesdays and dances on Saturdays. Harry Porter from Minlaton had a big Overland car to generate power for the pictures, jacking up the rear wheels and running the generator from the car engine.
In 1920 the matter of a War Memorial was raised, some residents favouring the building of a Memorial Hall. A committee was formed with Mr F Taheny as president, Mr W Baker, secretary, and Mr G Player, treasurer. There were no government subsidies in those days with the huge task of raising the money left entirely up to the community. In 1927 the annual St Patrick’s Day Sports proceeds were donated to the hall. A tender of £2,399 for the new hall was accepted, and on February 15th, 1928, the new Memorial Hall was opened by Brigadier Price-Weir, with high tea and a concert rounding off the occasion. Sadly, the secretary of the Committee, Will Baker, was not there. He died just 6 months before the opening of the hall that he had worked for during almost 7 years. ‘WHB’ was carved on a stone as a memorial tribute and can be seen high up on the wall to the left of the foyer entrance. The old Institute had its porch removed and remained as ‘The Supper Room’. The new hall continued to be used for entertainment, including roller-skating & gymnasium in the 1930s, and in the late 1940s Benbow Amusements started weekly pictures. There are two small rooms at the front of the hall one of which was built as a Council committee room, the other a Library, with books originally provided by the Institutes Association. The Library still operates today as a depot to the Yorketown Library. In 1983 the foyer and new toilets were added between the Memorial Hall and RSL room, connecting the buildings and creating a more versatile space.
Windmill
The re-siting of the Southern Cross Windmill is a reminder that the original settlers of the town relied on the rainwater harvested and stored in tanks & dams or what they carted from 2 miles (3.22kms) away in shallow soak wells.
The windmill became part of the water scheme built by Alex McKenzie sometime after 1913 to provide reticulated water for his sections15, 17, 20 in the HD(hundred) of Para Wurlie and his homestead in Sec 200 HD of Moorowie.
The waterline from a well in Sec 13 HD of Parawurlie followed the road into Warooka and then south to the towns pound yard and connected to a new 30,000 gallon (113,562 litre) concrete tank built by Mr Bob McKenzie and his sone Alan.
From where ‘Barokee House’ now stands on Main Street (West of the Warooka Primary School), the line crossed the road north, then went east through Sec 1 HD of Para Wurlie to Sec 200 HD of Moorowie. Here it then serviced blocks belonging to Mr Alex McKenzie, The Warooka Hotel, FGS Ball, G Taheny & JM Ramsay.
Encouraged by the success of this water scheme, many of the farms in the area set up similar schemes.
In 1956 a government water supply was completed for Warooka and the Hundred of Para Wurlie, Moorowie and Coonarie from wells in the Para Wurlie water basin.
This relocated windmill was eventually added into the water scheme to raise water to overhead tanks, to irrigate the extensive gardens around the ‘Barokee House’.
Rotunda
The Museum is housed in the original Warooka Police Station. The first Trooper, J.P.Dowling, arrived with his dray load of supplies in February 1879. The two front rooms were built in 1883, but the “moveable cell” and rear four rooms had been built before that. Unfortunately not much is known of the building as a police station, however reference to the existing constabulary is often seen in snippets such as the following: After the Warooka Sports of 1901 an evening concert was held in the Institute, attracting a large crowd. It was reported in the local paper that “the presence of a Police Officer had a salutary effect on the gallery element, the trooper’s statement that ‘You pay to come in, but you can go out for nothing’, nipping incipient rowdyism in the bud”.
The station closed in 1924, and was used as a private residence until 1980 when it was purchased by the Warooka Historical and Museum Society, a volunteer group, and the building has been restored by voluntary labour. Most of the exhibits have been donated by the people of the district. A successful grant application and the tireless dedicated work of Gerry Hough, the then Clerk of the Warooka District Council, plus many hours of fundraising made the purchase possible. Funds for the maintenance of the building were raised primarily by the introduction of the Warooka Art & Craft Fair in 1981, held for many years in the Warooka Memorial Hall. In 2016 the Warooka Progress Association Inc. received transfer of ownership from the Yorke Peninsula Council.
Rotunda
A gentleman with the wonderful name of Vitruvius Hitchcox built his cottage and workshop here in the late 1870s. A blacksmith and machinist by trade, he could live here and carry out his business.
The present Rachel Street is named after Rachel Mary Baker who came to Warooka from Sedan in 1884 after being widowed when her husband was thrown from a horse. She brought her 2 year old son Thomas with her and sent daughter Rachel and sons William and Alfred to relations elsewhere for education. Mrs Baker came to join her sisters Mrs Nicholas Player and Mrs John Young. She eventually moved into the house vacated by Mr Hitchcox and was able to purchase the cottage in 1890 from the sale of her late husband’s saddle plus £50. Mrs Baker became the district’s second midwife travelling from her home to her patients.
Daughter Rachel eventually joined her mother and became the district seamstress, trudging the roads on foot carrying hand machine. Miss Rachel Baker later ran the Savings Bank Agency from the cottage through a purpose made window in the northern wall of the house. The prospective customer walked in through a huge boxthorn hedge to the garden gate, thence to the window. There was a bell to summon Miss Baker, and it was woe betide the hapless new chum who went to the wrong door! Miss Baker took a personal interest in all her clients, making her displeasure known subtly, if by any chance a withdrawal was the reason for the call!
William and Alfred also joined their mother again when able to help the family menu by actually trapping and hunting their food! Alf was happy to get a job at Boyce’s Store, while Will went to work for his Uncle John Young. Pay was 5 shillings a week, with an occasional extra shilling to buy boots. Times were tough in the 1890’s and the Young’s could not always pay in cash. Will took 90 sheep in lieu of wages, fenced off part of the yard at the family home, and became an instant grazier! He and Alf grazed their sheep along the roadside – the ‘long paddock’ – until able to rent Balaklava Run. They sold their sheep for 4/9d a head, thus getting their start.
William and Alfred purchased the ‘corner’ shop trading as Baker Bros and later built the Top Shop. They also became famers continuing to operate as Baker Bros.
William and Alfred were both to marry in the same year, 1911, and built their houses Ballara (William), at corner of Main Street and Baker Street (Alfred) at opposite ends of town.
The cottage and adjoining small paddock remained in the Baker family until 1963, when it was donated to the community by Mrs Rachel Baker’s grandson, Bill Baker. Previously Bill had offered the use of the ‘paddock’ to a visiting circus that operated for a couple of weeks in Warooka to the delight of the local children.
The Baker Rotunda was built in 2004 by the Warooka Progress Association, with funding from the Australian Department of Family & Community Services in conjunction with the District Council of Yorke Peninsula. It was officially opened on December 24, by Bill Baker.
It was Bill’s wish for the town to have a community ‘village green’ as he had experienced in England when on leave during World War 2.
The youngest two brothers Samuel (Sam) and Daniel (Dan) Murdock joined Elf and Chook in partnership upon their return from service. The garage at Yorketown was opened in this period and is still operated by Elf’s grandson. In the years to follow further branches were opened in Kadina, Crystal Brook and Port Pirie. The Murdock Brothers sold over 200 cars, trucks and tractors as well as other farm machinery in 1924. This same year Sam decided to separate from the partnership with his brothers and began operating the Warooka garage on his own behalf. In 1950 Sam relinquished the Ford agency, ending an association started at Warooka in 1919. Jim Koennecke took over the operation of the garage after WW2 and Sam continued to run the adjacent hardware store until his retirement in 1974. Sam Murdock, Uncle Sam or Sammy to many, lived a quiet unassuming life, although he was always prepared to help anyone in need. Sam became a JP in 1937 and acted as the Coroner for the Warooka district for many years. A local legend in the Warooka community. He passed away in October 1986.
Jacob’s Peesey Store
Jacob’s Peesey Store, affectionately known over the years as ‘The Corner Shop’. It was originally a small, unlined, wood and iron building, later much enlarged. Mr Jacobs built his house on the north side of the shop with 2 large Moreton Bay gif trees planted in front.
Mr Charles Standrod Keightley came to Warooka in 1881and purchased Eddie Jacob’s block which included the corner shop. The sore was run by Mr Boyce. Mr Jacobs had been engaged as a chemist at Angaston, and through Warooka land might be suitable for vine and fruit growing. He developed an orchard at the rear of his home and eventually a jam factory was established in sheds built the purpose.
Labels for ‘Warooka Jams’ can still be seen in the Warooka District Museum. With a family of seven, the original house was enlarged to accommodate the family. Mr Keightley were was well-known for his wariness of his daughters’ suitors and created an elaborate bell system so that he would know when they arrived home from outings! However, the girls were also wary and used the window!
Mr and Mrs Keightley were often consulted by the local community about sickness and injury, and Mr Keightley was even known to stitch wounds and pull teeth!
Many store owners followed the Keightleys including G Thomson, Baker Bros, J Penhale, P Grabia, J&W Barclay, L Bittner, R Melville, J Casson, B Clarke, T&M Wright, Dunstones, Aslins, partners T Stone & L Fragomeni.
A newsagent ran for a short time operated by Jack Blakely in conjunction with the grocery store in Main Street.
The building remained empty for several years before S McKibbin relocated the butcher shop in 2017 from the original premises next door to The Top Shop. The premises was purchased by N Fooks and J Murdock in 2020.
In 1920 the matter of a War Memorial was raised, some residents favouring the building of a Memorial Hall. A committee was formed with Mr.F.Taheny as president, Mr.W.Baker, secretary, and Mr.G.Player, treasurer. There were no government subsidies in those days with the huge task of raising the money left entirely up to the community. In 1927 the annual St.Patrick’s Day Sports proceeds were donated to the hall. A tender of £2,399 for the new hall was accepted, and on February 15th 1928, the new Memorial Hall was opened by Brigadier Price-Weir, with high tea and a concert rounding off the occasion. Sadly, the secretary of the Committee, Will Baker, was not there. He died just 6 months before the opening of the hall that he had worked for during almost 7 years. ‘WHB’ was carved on a stone as a memorial tribute and can be seen high up on the wall to the left of the foyer entrance. The old Institute had it’s porch removed and remained as ‘The Supper Room’ where meetings are still held today. The new hall continued to be used for entertainment, including roller-skating & gymnasium in the 1930s, and in the late 1940s Benbow Amusements started weekly pictures. There are two small rooms at the front of the hall one of which was built as a Council committee room, the other a Library, with books originally provided by the Institutes Association. The Library still operates today as a depot to the Yorketown Library. In 1983 the foyer and new toilets were added between the Memorial Hall and R.S.L. room, connecting the buildings and creating a more versatile space.
Warooka & Districts Museum
The Museum is housed in the original Warooka Police Station. The first Trooper, JP Dowling, arrived with his dray load of supplies in February 1879. The two front rooms were built in 1883, but the “moveable cell” and rear four rooms had been built before that. Unfortunately, not much is known of the building as a police station, however reference to the existing constabulary is often seen in snippets such as the following: After the Warooka Sports of 1901 an evening concert was held in the Institute, attracting a large crowd. It was reported in the local paper that “the presence of a Police Officer had a salutary effect on the gallery element, the trooper’s statement that ‘You pay to come in, but you can go out for nothing’, nipping incipient rowdyism in the bud”. The station closed in 1924 and was used as a private residence until 1980 when it was purchased by the Warooka Historical and Museum Society, a volunteer group, and the building has been restored by voluntary labour. Most of the exhibits have been donated by the people of the district. A successful grant application and the tireless dedicated work of Gerry Hough, the then Clerk of the Warooka District Council, plus many hours of fundraising made the purchase possible. Funds for the maintenance of the building were raised primarily by the introduction of the Warooka Art & Craft Fair in 1981, held for many years in the Warooka Memorial Hall. In 1997 all District Councils (including Warooka) were amalgamated into Yorke Peninsula Council who then took ownership of all assets held by the smaller District Councils.
In 2016 Yorke Peninsula Council gifted the Museum’s ownership to Warooka Progress Association bringing it back into ‘local’ hands to manage into the future. A small band of volunteers continue to support opening days / hours and maintain displays. A large shed built by the Lions Club has predominantly been used for storage. In 2023 some major work began with repairs to the roof, complete re-wiring of all buildings and in 2025-26 plans to cement the Lions Shed to create a new display area will occur.
Consulting Rooms
The Warooka Consulting Rooms Committee was formed in July 1934 as the Warooka Auxiliary of Yorketown Hospital. In 1938 the question of a doctor’s consulting room at Warooka was raised. Until then the doctor had consulted at the Memorial Hall in the Committee Room on his weekly visits – a venue, not really comfortable for doctor or patient. A public meeting to discuss the issue was held on September 3rd 1938, when the ladies of the Auxiliary received the district’s approval to carry on with the project. The foundation stone was laid in February 1939 by Mr Otto Klem, of Corny Point and the rooms were opened by the President, Mrs ES Baker. In 1957 the financial management of the rooms became the responsibility of the Ladies Auxiliary, at the request of the four remaining trustees. Red Cross had continued to operate after World War 1 and meetings were eventually held in the Consulting Rooms. A small club continues to operate helping raise funds when needed. The Warooka branch of the Mothers& Babies Association was formed in 1967, with clinics being held in the Consulting Rooms. The Warooka & District Parents Group continued to use the rooms with monthly visits from a clinic nurse for many years.
1968 it was felt it would be sensible to invest the property in the District Council of Warooka, as belonging to the people of the district. Since the amalgamation of the District Councils of Warooka, Yorketown, Minlaton and Central Yorke Peninsula in 1997, the Consulting Rooms were then transferred to the new Yorke Peninsula Council, but still administered by the Committee. With numbers dwindling, the Warooka Consulting Rooms Committee became a sub-committee of the Warooka Progress Association.
In 2016, Yorke Peninsula Council transferred the ownership of this property and the Museum Building to Warooka Progress for future management. As sub committees and services in the consulting rooms reduced, the building was leased for numerous years with ongoing repairs and maintenance being met by Warooka Progress. In 2024, after 18 months consideration, the building was then sold to the current lessee at the time, keeping another business still operating within the town.
Warooka Uniting Church (Wesleyan Chapel with cemetery)
Mr John Chandler, of Flaxman’s Valley, lessee and Mr James A Johnson, of Lindsay Villa, lessor in September 1872 agreed that they would sell a portion of their land (Section 200, Hundred of Moorowie) for the erection of a Wesleyan Chapel to be used for both religious and educational purposes. Mr Johnson was the accountant for The South Australian Company and grandson of George Fife Angas.
Built of swamp mud and stone with stringy bark rafters and named Mount Hardwicke Chapel, it stood on a high rise of the Peesey Range. It was completed in March 1874 and officially opened on the 4th of that year. Other than private residencies the chapel was the first public building in what would eventually become the township of Warooka.
The chapel was used for local schooling until 1883 when the existing state school, which had been completed late in 1882, was ready to be used.
Although there was provision for a public cemetery at the abandoned location of the government town of Peesey Flat, approximately two kilometres east of the town, the site was considered unsuitable.
The first recorded burial at the cemetery adjoining the chapel, was in April 1873 when 24-year-old Joseph Hill was interred. The burial ground served the district until the early 1960’s when the present public cemetery was established south of the town.
The current substantially constructed church was opened in April 1907 and then became the Warooka Methodist Church. The memorial windows, commemorating local pioneers, were dedicated in 1936. The tower, at the front of the church was dedicated in March 1953 and construction of the adjoining hall commenced in 1958.
The Uniting Church in Australia was founded in June 1977 when congregations of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches became one, hence this Warooka Methodist, became the Warooka Uniting Church. The attached cemetery has continued supporting internments of members of this congregation, since the opening of the public cemetery on Sturt Bay Road.
Murdock’s Motor Garage
Brothers Elford Edwin (Elf) and Charles William (Chook) Murdock’s business became known as Murdock Brothers, commencing operation at Point Turton in 1909 as contractors, cutting chaff and cleaning wheat. Elf and Chook purchased this block on the Main Street in June 1916. Elf, who had been discharged from the army as medically unfit in October 1915, built the shed you see today. The garage at Warooka became the base of the Murdock Brothers. On August 31st, 1917 a celebration was held in the new building for the unveiling of the town’s “Roll of Honour”.
Stock troughs and water tanks were made at the premises and the brothers commenced the sale of farm machinery, motor cars, petrol, oil and even provided motor cars for hire. The youngest two brothers Samuel (Sam) and Daniel (Dan) Murdock joined Elf and Chook in partnership upon their return from service. The Murdock garage at Yorketown was opened in this period and is still operated by Elf’s family.
In the years to follow further branches were opened in Kadina, Crystal Brook and Port Pirie. The Murdock Brothers sold over 200 cars, trucks and tractors as well as other farm machinery in 1924. This same year Sam decided to separate from the partnership with his brothers and began operating the Warooka garage on his own behalf. In 1950 Sam relinquished the Ford agency, ending an association started at Warooka in 1919.
Jim Koennecke took over the operation of the garage after WW2 and Sam continued to run the adjacent hardware store until his retirement in 1974. Sam Murdock, Uncle Sam or Sammy to many, lived a quiet unassuming life, although he was always prepared to help anyone in need. Sam became a JP in 1937 and acted as the Coroner for the Warooka district for many years. A local legend in the Warooka community, he passed away in October 1986.
The Top Shop (Baker’s Gallery)
Built by Baker Bros in the early 1900s and known as the “Top Shop” by reason of position, not status! It was run in conjunction with the “Corner Shop” by the family. The premises passed to Mrs M Baker in 1935. She remodelled the shop front, converted the adjoining garage into a butcher shop and opened the original section as “Distingue” fashions. From 1946 the shop changed hands a number of times and for many years was a drapery and chemist agency. The shop once housed the “Barley Bin” craft studio and “The Paper Nymph” producing items made from recycled paper. Currently operating as Baker Bros Gallery by a descendant of the Baker family
Perc Hayes was the first to run the butcher shop. Of course, it, too, has had 10 various butchers in residence. With the opening of another butcher shop further down main street, the old site has supported a café, pilates studio and other business operators providing various services in Warooka.
Ballara Arts & Lifestyle Retreat
Ballara was built in 1910 for William Baker and his new wife Emilia (Millie) Schaefer. It is understood Millie would come to Warooka only after the house was completely finished and furnished! William met Millie when she came from Ballarat to visit her sister who lived at Warooka. They were married in 1911 and Millie named her new home ‘Ballara’ in memory of her hometown.
A feature of the house is its ornate ceilings, and story has it that visitors came from afar especially to view them. William ran a wheat agency from an office on the front verandah and was also a contact for World War 1 recruitment. For a time, William oversaw receiving and delivering payments for the workers at Inneston. William tended an orchard and vines on the western side of the house, drying sultanas on the roll out ceiling of a hut at the back of the property. He also built a small cellar for brining meat, plus dairy and fruit storage. The hut later became room and board for the schoolteacher.
William and Millie were both very much involved in community projects, often attending meetings many of which were held at Ballara. Millie became known as ‘the cup of tea lady’ regularly taking the large silver teapot across the road to the school. William enjoyed singing and playing piano, with musical evenings often held in the parlour. When entertaining guests the children were never allowed ‘past the archway’ in the hall.
In 1927 William sadly died at only 50 years of age, leaving Millie on her own with their five children Doreen, Dulcie, William Jr (Bill), Ron, and Betsy. Millie died in 1965 and Ron continued living at Ballara until his death in 1988. Ron loved animals and had quite a collection. As well as chooks, ducks and geese there were kangaroos, emus, pheasants, turtles, a variety of small birds and a wombat!
Having never married and no children of his own, Ron left the house and contents to his ten nieces and nephews. Although the Baker name has all but disappeared, Ballara still remains in the care of the family.
Warooka Primary School
The first official school in the area commenced at James Murdock’s house, Point Turton. A ‘public’ school in the Wesleyan Chapel (Warooka Uniting Church) was commenced by Eliza Parkins in the middle of 1879, although not officially recognised by the Council of Education until the end of the same year, 31 children were enrolled at the time. The stone building here was completed late in 1882 and was ready for use in 1883. The students marched to their new school with their head teacher, Mr Cunningham. From 1892 the head teacher was helped by monitors, paid and unpaid, who were only 13 years old. Monitors were used until 1926, after this the junior teacher’s position was introduced.
The Hannay Prize – unique to Warooka.
The Hannay prize was first awarded to a student of Warooka School in 1939. J Frederich Johnson gave this award in memory of his late grandmother, Rosetta French Hannay, (daughter of George Fife Angas) and grandfather Reverend John Hannay. Prior to Warooka becoming a township, the Johnson family managed the large parcel of land known as Orrie Cowie Station. The Angas and Johnson families had a strong tradition of integrity, religious faith, service to the community and respect for learning. Thus, it was a fitting gesture when the family departed from the Warooka district to leave this memorial to link their belief in learning for the future.
Add link to school
https://www.warookaps.sa.edu.au/index.htm
Warooka Post Office
It was reported in the SA Advertiser, December 1872, that a public meeting of the inhabitants of Hardwicke Bay had taken place, chaired by Mr Thomas Robertson, on December 12th.
It was proposed at this meeting “that a request be forwarded to the Postmaster General that he should grant us a post office”, the post office at Orrie Cowie being too distant.
Some discussions took place regarding the name it should be called. Mr john Young proposed it be named “Warooka”, being the native name of a well in the neighbourhood.
Mr Joseph Vigar proposed that Mr Nicholas Player should be the first postmaster, as his residence was most centrally located (opposite the present Anglican Church, on what was to become Mr David Ramsay’s property). Mt Player consented to undertake the position.
The post office was later conducted in Mr Francis’ store, next to the Warooka Hotel, until his property was sold, by court order, in January 1879.
The present post office was completed in 1884, at a cost of £760.
Moving Murals
These murals are located on the walls between the Warooka Foodworks and Warooka Hardware stores, with the third in the same location, across the road on a water tank.
Warooka’s Moving Murals (MM) Project combines traditional mural art with Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
Locally inspired artworks, embedded with AR trigger images, activate animations through a free smart phone app.
Targeting young audiences and art tourism enthusiasts, the MM Project transforms static murals into dynamic, interactive experiences.
Created by Southern Yorke Peninsula artists, the murals celebrate local culture and stories – offering an immersive experience that enhances Warooka’s vibrancy.
Main Street Store
The Main Street store was built by Mr Jim Barrett about 1910. The Barrett family lived on the premises and Miss Violet Barrett carried on dressmaking and tailoring. Later the Ward family came from Brentwood to live here.
About 1926, Mr Alf Barrett built a small butcher shop on this allotment on Third Street, opposite the old fire station, however it was not used as such. Mr W Cadd opened a greengrocery and grocery store there in the late 1920s, moving here to the Jim Barrett store after it was bought by Mr S Murdock.
Mr Cadd eventually brought the store himself. He was followed by Ross Penhale and then Bob & Mary Evans who renovated the building in 1959.
Operating as a Foodworks when this sign was produced, the shop has had a number of franchise names including Four Square, Welcome Mart, Serve-Well and IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia).
The Warooka Post Office serviced the community from here for a short time while renovations took place on the PO building.
Warooka Hotel
James McCabe, mason of Warooka, purchased lots 1, 13 and 14 in the newly subdivided township of Warooka in March 1877. The foundations of the hotel were laid by May 1877 and the hotel was completed and the licence granted on the 8th December 1877. The foundations of the hotel wee laid by May 1877 and the hotel was completed and the licence granted on the 8th December 1877.
A year later, in December 1878, McCabe sold the lease for the hotel to Thomas Broad, builder of Adelaide, at a rental of £4a week, for a seven-year period.
In February 1880, James McCave sold the freehold of the Hotel to William Henry Beaglehole, local MP, James Johnston and Jems McDonald Gasquoine, brewers of North Adelaide, for the sum of £500. Broad advertised his lease for sale n October 1880 and one month later, David Ramsay, took over the lease for £688 /10/8, including £150 for good will. On the 26th November 1880 The Register newspaper, recorded the event “Host Broad has sold his Hotel and is leaving the district. Hose Ramsay took possession last week and appears to be the right man in the right place.”
In November 1883 George Davall, a barman from Yorketown who has won £1000 in a Melbourne Cup sweepstake the previous year, purchased the lease of the Warooka Hotel from David Ramsay for £100.
After selling the lease to Davall, David Ramsay removed to Adelaide to be license of the John Bill Hotel, Currie Street. After his wife, Isabella, died in November 1885, Ramsay returned to Warooka, remarried and continued to operate the hotel until 1915. After David Ramsay retired his son, Jim, ran the hotel until 1924. This ended an almost continuous operation of 44 years by the Ramsay family.
Popular publicans, Michael and Alice Kennedy, took up the leasehold in 1956 and in October 1967 purchased the freehold from Lion Brewing and Malting Co Ltd. The Kennedy family continued as hosts of the Warooka Hotel for 32 years, also extending the hotel building during that time.
St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church
On 30th April 1876, about 8 years after the new settlers arrived in the Warooka district, the foundation stone of St Brigid’s Church was laid by Dr Reynolds, Bishop and later, Archbishop of Adelaide. The cost of the original building was £500 and the builder was local tradesman Mr J McCabe. The material used was mostly swamp flagstone, which was easily risen and easily cut, facilitating quick building. The new church was used as a Catholic school from 1877 to 1879, with staff provided by the Sisters of St Joseph. A Vestry and a porch were added to the building in later years, and over the years several beautiful gifts have been made as memorials. The church building is still in excellent condition, a silent tribute to a small band of parishioners who have kept the building repaired and painted.
The Oval Gates
The Oval Gates were officially opened in August 1962. With the ‘new’ town hall having been built specifically as a memorial for World War 1, a suggestion at an Oval Committee meeting resulted in the building of the gates in memory of those who service in World War 2.
Each year at conclusion of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service held at the steps of the Council Office, attendants march to the gates along the main street for the laying of memorial wreaths.
The gates at the eastern entrance to the oval were originally to be placed here as the main gates, but measurements were unfortunately incorrect and were too small.
St James Anglican Church
From the time of settlement, the Anglican Community has been present in the Warooka and district area, and for many years services were held in the original Institute Hall.
In 1890 Mr James Day provided land for an Anglican Church building, however, his dream was not to be realised for 37 years.
Plans eventually got under way for the erection of a white stone building with grey pillars, two side entrances and eight coloured glass windows. Mr AT Bennett carted stone from his property north of Mt Gore and Mr Bert Kessner did the building. The foundation stone was laid on 28th September 1926. The Vestry was built later and dedicated on 25th February 1934 by the Reverend Raymond Walker.