Soldier settler history in photos

STEPHANIE THOMPSON
THE life of Loxton’s first soldier settlers and their families is on display as part of a month-long history festival.
The World War II Soldier Settlement Exhibition is currently at the Loxton Library and Visitor Centre for South Australian History Month.
Loxton and information manager Karen Rubarth encouraged people to visit the exhibition.
“We knew we had quite a bit of material that the public hadn’t seen and we thought it quite pertinent to get it out there,” she said.
Mrs Rubarth said the exhibition features photos and other memorabilia, documenting how irrigation and family blocks were established.
“Once the soldier settlement happened, then it created a lot of manufacturing and the packing houses, winery and it generated a lot of business,” she said.
“It resonates with a lot of people as they remember a lot of these things happening.”
A notable document is a large map featuring the family names of soldier settlers.
The free exhibition will be open to the public every day throughout May.
For more information, visit the website (festival.history.sa.gov.au/events/wwii-soldier-settlement-exhibition).