Last week, members of the Rotary Club of Prospect embarked on a vocational visit to Kapunda to witness the remarkable resurrection of one of South Australia’s most storied landmarks: Eringa House.
The visit was an opportunity to see heritage restoration in action, led by our very own Grenville Smith, who serves as the chief site building manager for this massive undertaking.
A Legacy Reclaimed
Eringa House is more than just a building; it is a cornerstone of Kapunda’s identity. Originally built in 1879 as “Lanark House” for Alexander Greenshields, the bluestone mansion famously became the home of the “Cattle King,” Sir Sidney Kidman, in 1900. In a grand gesture of community spirit in 1921, Kidman donated the property to the South Australian Education Department, and it served as the heart of Kapunda High School for exactly a century.
Tragedy struck in March 2022 when a devastating fire gutted the historic administration building. However, thanks to a $14 million restoration project funded by the SA Government, the site is being transformed into a state-of-the-art Schools Administration Building.
Inside the $14 Million Restoration
Grenville provided our group with an incredibly informative tour, detailing the technical hurdles of restoring a heritage-listed structure after severe fire damage. Walking through the site, it was clear that this is a labour of love and precision. From the sturdy bluestone walls to the replacement of the iconic French Marseilles tiles, the attention to detail is ensuring that the building’s 19th-century soul remains intact while preparing it for 21st-century use.
Our members – joined by the Rotary Club of Regency Park – were given a front-row seat to the complexity of the scaffolding, the masonry repairs, and the intricate interior work currently underway.
Fellowship and “Local” Legends
No Rotary visit is complete without a bit of fellowship and local flabour. After working up an appetite touring the site, the group headed to The John Franklin Hotel in downtown Kapunda for a classic pub meal.
The highlight of the afternoon’s social hour was undoubtedly Mark Betty’s encounter with a “local.” Mark was spotted having a very serious (and very quiet) chat with a bronze miner and his dog – a charming statue that captures the spirit of Kapunda’s mining heritage. It’s safe to say the local didn’t have much to complain about!
A Successful Day Out
The visit was a resounding success, blending professional insight with wonderful company. We are immensely proud of the work Grenville is doing to preserve South Australian history, and we look forward to seeing Eringa House officially reopen its doors.
