beltana • Find • State Library of South Australia

Tea time at the Diamond Jubilee Picnic at Beltana

Mitchell, Robert, c. 1897, Photograph, PRG 1610/11/75

Photograph of a group in a rural setting, comprising mainly of children with adults standing at the rear. Identified as the 'Diamond Jubilee Picnic, Beltana, tea time'.

Beltana Cairn

c. 1945, Photograph, PRG 830/20/207

Two men standing near a cairn at 'Beltana cairn'. Sir Lyell McEwin could possibly be person on left.

Beltana Station

Walpole, E. L., c. 1930, Photograph, B 47089/318

Buildings viewed through a group of gum trees and identified as 'Beltana'.

Photographs from northern South Australia

Oliver, Gordon Ross, 1985, Photograph, B 73317/1-16

A selection from travel photographs taken by amateur photographer G.R. Oliver. Identified as from Wilpena Pound, Moolooloo Road, Flinders Ranges and Beltana, they also include nearby localities such as Arkaroola, Blinman, Wirrealpa Station and Parachilna.

Horse and buggy belonging to Dunesk Mission

1896, Photograph, B 61824

BELTANA: Reverend Robert Mitchell, missionary at the Smith of Dunesk Mission, Beltana standing by the Mission's buggy-cart at Waroola Creek [From information provided by Glenys Aird, this is more likely to be the Warrioota Creek, on which Beltana is located.] According to a researcher, the lady in the buggy is probably Robert Mitchell's daughter Agnes who accompanied her father during his time in Beltana.

Rev. Robert Mitchell at his desk

Phillips, Sydney, c. 1900, Photograph, B 64281

BELTANA: The Reverend Robert Mitchell, pioneer founder of the Smith of Dunesk Mission, photographed sitting at his desk in the Presbyterian manse at Beltana, South Australia.

Afghan camel drivers

c. 1870, Photograph, B 61979

BELTANA: Afghan camel drivers photographed at Beltana, possibly during a time when they went on strike, January 25, 1870.

Donkey wagon, Beltana

c. 1920, Photograph, B 36075

Donkey-drawn wagon loaded with wool bales.

Agnes Mitchell riding a camel

Mitchell, Robert, c. 1897, Photograph, B 61820

BELTANA: Agnes Mitchell riding a camel at Beltana.

Reverend Robert Mitchell

c. 1896, Photograph, B 61825

BELTANA: Reverend Robert Mitchell, pioneer founder of the Smith of Dunesk Mission standing by a buggy-cart which was used to travel the countryside around Beltana in the northern Flinders Ranges; the parish extended to the rail head at Oodnadatta.

Reverend J. Bentley Reid

1902, Photograph, B 61827

BELTANA: Reverend J. Bentley Reid riding a horse, called 'Tommy' at Beltana.

Aboriginal shepherds

Woods, Charles Walter, 1906, Photograph, B 54698/24

BELTANA: Aboriginal shepherds with a goat herd, thought to be near Beltana.

Camels and Afghan handlers

Sweet, Samuel White, c. 1885, Photograph, B 62375

BELTANA: Camels enclosed in a stockyard at Beltana; seven Afghan men sit and stand in the foreground.

Flinders Ranges album: Beltana station

c. 1898, Photograph, B 60681/47

View of the Beltana Station homestead.

An old colonists's home at Beltana

Mitchell, Robert, c. 1897, Photograph, PRG 1610/11/90

Photograph of a a man and a woman standing by a fence at the front of a corrugated iron dwelling, with the man standing beside two horses harnessed to a cart.

Cairn at Beltana

c. 1928, Photograph, B 9048

Cairn erected at Beltana Station in 1928, commemorating Giles Expedition, 1875-6. It was unveiled by the Governor of South Australia, Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven in 1930. Giles eventually led a successful expedition from Beltana Station across the Great Victorian Desert and reached Perth in 1875.

Plate on Cairn, Beltana

1935, Photograph, B 9049

Plate on Cairn, Beltana, commemorating Giles Expedition, 1875-6. The plaque on the cairn says: "This cairn commemorates the setting out of the exploring expedition which left Beltana Station on 6th May 1875 and after enduring great hardships, reached Perth, WA on 18th November 1875. The return journey was made from January to August 1876. The expedition was financed by Hon. (Sir) Thomas Elder and consisted of Ernest Giles (leader) WH Tietkens, J Young, A Ross, Peter Nicholls, Saleh, Jimmy and Tommy. Erected in 1928".

Church, Beltana

Mitchell, Robert, c. 1897, Photograph, B 15269

Building used for church services from 1897-98. This building became the Smith of Dunesk Mission church in Beltana. It is still the property of the (continuing) Presbyterian Church. [Information provided by Glenys Aird]. Beltana was the base for the Smith of Dunesk Mission across far northern South Australia.The venture was provided from a fund set up by Mrs Henrietta Smith from Dunesk in Scotland. The mission provided medical and dental services as well as pastoral services to lonely folk. The mission was the foundation of the Australian Inland Mission and the Royal Flying Doctor Service across the outback