Port Willunga is celebrating its 175th anniversary in September, marking an important milestone in the area’s rich history.
As part of the celebrations, the City of Onkaparinga plans to install interpretive signage to highlight significant European historical sites and stories, along with two town entry signs to enhance local identity.
The interpretive signage will showcase key historical sites, including the Thomas Martin Homestead and the historic jetty, ensuring the area’s built history is preserved and shared with the community and visitors.
The council is collaborating with the Port Willunga Heritage Sub-Committee of the National Trust of South Australia (Willunga branch) and historical experts to ensure the content is accurate and respectful.
You can provide your feedback on the proposed signage content (interpretive signage) and design and locations (town entry signage) at the council’s Your Say page until Sunday 25 May.
The designs, layout and colours of the interpretive signage are fixed to comply with the council’s approved brand, but the town entry signs have been approached differently to reflect the history and uniqueness of Port Willunga.
The idea for the signage was sparked by a deputation by the Port Willunga Heritage Sub-Committee of the National Trust of South Australia (Willunga branch) at the 12 November 2024 Council meeting, where it was resolved that Council ‘acknowledges Port Willunga as a port and area of historic significance’ and that signs be installed to recognise local historical sites.
"We, the Committee of the Willunga Branch of the National Trust of South Australia, acknowledge the historical significance of Port Willunga and of the role it played in supporting the growth and prosperity of towns, communities and businesses across the region," the sub-committee wrote.
"Port Willunga was one of the earliest operating ports in South Australia (1841) and was the busiest regional port in South Australia in the 1850s and 1860s, so we believe due recognition of its historical significance should be given at this time by the City of Onkaparinga as Port Willunga celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2025."
This project acknowledges and celebrates the 175th anniversary of the settlement of the town of Port Willunga, and as such it doesn’t reference the area’s history prior to European settlement. Acknowledgement of the area’s Aboriginal history could be made as part of a separate project.
Feedback received will be collated into a report that will help determine the signs’ final content, design and location with the signs planned to be installed in July/August ahead of September’s 17th anniversary celebrations.