National Volunteer Week | A Ray of Sunshine Helping Keep History Alive
- Adelaide Style Accommodation
- May 18
- 2 min read
As it’s National Volunteer Week, Adelaide Style Accommodation would like to recognise Mary and the wonderful volunteer team at the Peterborough Historical Printshop, around 250km north of Adelaide.
Mary has lived in Peterborough for around 23 years, moving from Goolwa with her late husband Eldon, whose family connections to Peterborough stretched back to the 1870s. The town held a special place in his heart after spending much of his childhood there with his great grandparents.
Following Eldon’s passing, volunteer Heather Parker invited Mary to help with a special project involving original job dockets dating from 1923–2001.
Mary says:
"Then I entered the print shop and forgot to come out."
Nearly 13 years later, Mary continues volunteering and sharing stories, knowledge and passion with visitors from around Australia and beyond.
But Mary was quick to remind me:
"I don’t want to take all the credit for our success."
She speaks warmly of fellow volunteer Judy Evans, Secretary of the Print Shop and instrumental in securing grants to help preserve this important piece of South Australian history. She also proudly acknowledges Marnee Pappin, a younger and enthusiastic volunteer who has become a valued part of the team and brings wonderful computer skills and fresh energy.
It’s clear when speaking with Mary that preserving history is truly a team effort
When visiting the Print Shop, you step into a world before mobile phones and instant communication — where printing presses, posters, newspapers and letters connected communities.
One remarkable historic poster I’m sharing is dated 1 March 1889, advertising a public meeting connected with the District Council of Yongala, reminding us how communities communicated more than 130 years ago.
The team has also recently identified printing machinery believed to date from before 1893 — incredible discoveries helping preserve our shared heritage.
How lucky are Peterborough, South Australia and visitors from around the world, to have volunteers like these keeping stories alive.
Thank you Mary, Judy, Marnee and all the volunteers at the Peterborough Historical Print Shop for preserving history, sharing knowledge and welcoming visitors with such warmth and generosity.
If you enjoy history, heritage, media, newspapers or storytelling, take a moment to visit the Peterborough Historical Print Shop. I’d encourage you to connect via their Facebook page or book ahead.
You may arrive curious… but perhaps, like Mary, you may forget to come out. Check out this short video to learn more
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