Lyrup Welcome Sign at the line up for the ferry crossing. Murray Riverland South Australia
The South Australian government established the provision for the founding of communal settlements, known as village settlements: Crown Lands Amendment Act 1893. Eleven village settlements were founded on the River Murray: Lyrup, Waikerie, Holder, Pyap, Kingston, Gillen, New Era, Moorook, Murtho, Ramco and New Residence.
The scheme was a response to the economic depression that hit South Australia, and other Australian colonies.
Lyrup was established by a contingent of 243 persons - 49 males, 40 married women and their husbands, 114 youths and children. They left Adelaide by rail for Morgan on 20 February 1894 where they boarded the PS Ellen at 2 pm and travelled by river to Lyrup where they landed on 22 February 1894.
The area was totally virgin and nothing had been prepared for their arrival. Everything they needed was brought on the boat. Stores included an engine and pump, 5 tons of flour, 1 ton of corned beef, tents, tarpaulins (condemned by the railways because they were full of fleas), 40 yards of calico, 5 pounds of pins, 6 dozen pairs of moleskins and one dozen men’s felt hats among many other things.
On arrival tents were erected for the women and children and the men were housed in bough shelters.
Land was cleared, the pumping plant installed, the land cleared for planting. The settlement was established as a commune with food and clothing issued with ration coupons. If anyone caught a rabbit or a fish, it was put into the community supplies. The early days were tough with poor living conditions and dissatisfaction with the communal methods. The system changed to private ownership in 1903 and to this day the Lyrup village continues to prosper. [Ref: SA Memory]
Lyrup Village Settlement
During the communal era (1894–1901) the Lyrup Village Association managed all aspects of life on the settlement. In the first few years members meetings were held almost every week and most decision were made by the members, even details like the number of wires on the fence around the sheep paddock.
Members elected a Board of Trustees. They allocated labour to tasks and managed the settlement on a day-to-day basis. Later in the 1890s the Board began making more decisions without calling a members’ meeting: their actions were rarely challenged by members.
Lyrup was not included in a District Council until it was included in the District Council of Loxton in 1910.
After the division into individual blocks, the Village Association continued to manage the pumping and distribution of irrigation water. Block owners paid water rates based on the size of their block.
Water was only available during general and special irrigations in the era of channels (up to 1973).
During irrigations the pump ran continuously day and night from Monday to Saturday. The watermaster decided the order in which growers received water. When the pipeline replaced the channel growers could order water as and when they wanted it.
The Institute block and the adjacent vacant area was originally the Association drying green. The settlement grapes and apricots were dried on the green.
Early in 1895 the Association began erecting a large building on the site, to be used as a hall and school. There were then about 400 people living in the settlement: there were about 150 children of school age.
Brick walls were erected almost to roof height but work then ceased. When work resumed in 1906 the area originally intended to be the stage and dressing rooms was completed and roofed. The walls of the auditorium were demolished. The completed building was large enough to serve as a hall for the smaller population of the 1900s, and was also rented by the Education Department from March 1908 until the Department erected its own building in 1935.
That building was divided up to become the watermaster’s residence. That has been completely replaced with the present Institute Hall of 1931: additions were made to the front of the hall in 1964. [Ref: Settlement story boards]
Lyrup August 23
The annual meeting of the Lyrup Village Association was recently held here when the balance sheet and report of Trustees for the past year were read and adopted by the members present. A meeting of the Lyrup Branch of the Australian Dried Fruits Association was held afterwards. There was a poor attendance at both meetings.
The first irrigation of the season commences tomorrow week. Some more rain would be welcome. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 2-9-1915]
THE LYRUP INSTITUTE
Large Attendance at Gala Opening
Lyrup's fine new institute hall was opened on Saturday, in the presence of a large attendance which included many visitors from the various River districts.
Mr A Pomeroy had the honour of declaring the hall open, a duty which he regarded as a great compliment. In his opening speech Mr Pomeroy traced the history of the effort which had culminated in such a fine result.
A well organized programme of sports for young and old was carried out during the afternoon, while inside the hall excellent business was done at the various stalls for the sale of cool drinks, refreshments, etc.
In the evening an orchestral concert was given by Mr J C Irving's orchestra and at a dance which followed the music was contributed by Mr Ted Thomas's jazz band. There was a very large attendance at the dance.
Altogether the whole proceedings went with a swing. The committee is particularly grateful to Mr Irving's and Mr Thomas's parties whose services were given gratuitously. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) Friday 11-12-1931]
The neat and recently opened Lyrup Institute was the scene of a very pretty wedding on May 21 when Miss Laurel Harrington was united in matrimony to Mr G Williams, both of Lyrup. The hall was very prettily decorated for the occasion. The ceremony was performed by the Rev A E Cowley of Renmark.
A large number of relatives and friends attended, the building being crowded.
After the ceremony a dance was held. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 2-6-1932]
A move is on foot to ask the railway authorities to establish a siding on the Renmark to Barmera [railway] line. Lyrup has been at a disadvantage for years through having no siding at a convenience distance. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 18-5-1934]
Enquiries were received from Barmera and Lyrup as to the likelihood of power being extended to those centres. The secretary (Mr R C Penhall) reported that arrangements for the financing of the scheme had been satisfactorily concluded. The Trust decided to engage Major Coghlan, a qualified electrical and mechanical engineer, to supervise the installation of electric power. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 31-12-1934]
The Lyrup Welfare Club's fifth birthday was celebrated in the local institute. visitors were received by the local president (Mrs Beames) and the secretary (Mrs F Wright). Afternoon tea was provided by the committee of the club. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 12-6-1935]
A claret-cup ball was conducted by the football club. Music was supplied by McMillan's orchestra, and visitors were present from Loxton, Renmark, and Berri.
The new school which is to be officially opened by the Minister of Education (Mr Jeffries) on August 30 at 11am is now occupied. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 24-8-1935]
The new school, which is of the most modern type, was officially opened by the Minister of Education (Mr Jeffries). It is well lighted and ventilated.
Accompanying the Minister were the Director of Education (Mr Adey), Mrs Jeffries, and Mrs Adey. Speeches were given and songs sung by the children under the direction of the teacher (Mr A V Johns).
Morning lunch was provided by the women, and a half-holiday was granted to the children.
A back to school was held in the institute. A programme was arranged by the Welfare Club. The takings were £I4, which will be used in improving the school building and grounds. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 6-9-1935]
Lyrup CWA First Birthday
On Wednesday July 14, the Lyrup branch of the Country Women's Association held its first birthday party in the Lyrup Institute.
Visitors were present from Berri, Barmera, and Renmark branches. Mrs Beames, President of the Lyrup branch, received the guests.
Mrs Andison gave a very interesting and entertaining talk on her stay in Paris, while journeying to England on exchange with the Education Department. [Ref: Murray Pioneer (Renmark) 5-8-1948]
Lyrup Welcome Sign at the line up for the ferry crossing. Murray Riverland South Australia
The South Australian government established the provision for the founding of communal settlements, known as village settlements: Crown Lands Amendment Act 1893. Eleven village settlements were founded on the River Murray: Lyrup, Waikerie, Holder, Pyap, Kingston, Gillen, New Era, Moorook, Murtho, Ramco and New Residence.
The scheme was a response to the economic depression that hit South Australia, and other Australian colonies.
Lyrup was established by a contingent of 243 persons - 49 males, 40 married women and their husbands, 114 youths and children. They left Adelaide by rail for Morgan on 20 February 1894 where they boarded the PS Ellen at 2 pm and travelled by river to Lyrup where they landed on 22 February 1894.
The area was totally virgin and nothing had been prepared for their arrival. Everything they needed was brought on the boat. Stores included an engine and pump, 5 tons of flour, 1 ton of corned beef, tents, tarpaulins (condemned by the railways because they were full of fleas), 40 yards of calico, 5 pounds of pins, 6 dozen pairs of moleskins and one dozen men’s felt hats among many other things.
On arrival tents were erected for the women and children and the men were housed in bough shelters.
Land was cleared, the pumping plant installed, the land cleared for planting. The settlement was established as a commune with food and clothing issued with ration coupons. If anyone caught a rabbit or a fish, it was put into the community supplies. The early days were tough with poor living conditions and dissatisfaction with the communal methods. The system changed to private ownership in 1903 and to this day the Lyrup village continues to prosper. [Ref: SA Memory]
Lyrup Village Settlement
During the communal era (1894–1901) the Lyrup Village Association managed all aspects of life on the settlement. In the first few years members meetings were held almost every week and most decision were made by the members, even details like the number of wires on the fence around the sheep paddock.
Members elected a Board of Trustees. They allocated labour to tasks and managed the settlement on a day-to-day basis. Later in the 1890s the Board began making more decisions without calling a members’ meeting: their actions were rarely challenged by members.
Lyrup was not included in a District Council until it was included in the District Council of Loxton in 1910.
After the division into individual blocks, the Village Association continued to manage the pumping and distribution of irrigation water. Block owners paid water rates based on the size of their block.
Water was only available during general and special irrigations in the era of channels (up to 1973).
During irrigations the pump ran continuously day and night from Monday to Saturday. The watermaster decided the order in which growers received water. When the pipeline replaced the channel growers could order water as and when they wanted it.
The Institute block and the adjacent vacant area was originally the Association drying green. The settlement grapes and apricots were dried on the green.
Early in 1895 the Association began erecting a large building on the site, to be used as a hall and school. There were then about 400 people living in the settlement: there were about 150 children of school age.
Brick walls were erected almost to roof height but work then ceased. When work resumed in 1906 the area originally intended to be the stage and dressing rooms was completed and roofed. The walls of the auditorium were demolished. The completed building was large enough to serve as a hall for the smaller population of the 1900s, and was also rented by the Education Department from March 1908 until the Department erected its own building in 1935.
That building was divided up to become the watermaster’s residence. That has been completely replaced with the present Institute Hall of 1931: additions were made to the front of the hall in 1964. [Ref: Settlement story boards]
Lyrup August 23
The annual meeting of the Lyrup Village Association was recently held here when the balance sheet and report of Trustees for the past year were read and adopted by the members present. A meeting of the Lyrup Branch of the Australian Dried Fruits Association was held afterwards. There was a poor attendance at both meetings.
The first irrigation of the season commences tomorrow week. Some more rain would be welcome. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 2-9-1915]
THE LYRUP INSTITUTE
Large Attendance at Gala Opening
Lyrup's fine new institute hall was opened on Saturday, in the presence of a large attendance which included many visitors from the various River districts.
Mr A Pomeroy had the honour of declaring the hall open, a duty which he regarded as a great compliment. In his opening speech Mr Pomeroy traced the history of the effort which had culminated in such a fine result.
A well organized programme of sports for young and old was carried out during the afternoon, while inside the hall excellent business was done at the various stalls for the sale of cool drinks, refreshments, etc.
In the evening an orchestral concert was given by Mr J C Irving's orchestra and at a dance which followed the music was contributed by Mr Ted Thomas's jazz band. There was a very large attendance at the dance.
Altogether the whole proceedings went with a swing. The committee is particularly grateful to Mr Irving's and Mr Thomas's parties whose services were given gratuitously. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) Friday 11-12-1931]
The neat and recently opened Lyrup Institute was the scene of a very pretty wedding on May 21 when Miss Laurel Harrington was united in matrimony to Mr G Williams, both of Lyrup. The hall was very prettily decorated for the occasion. The ceremony was performed by the Rev A E Cowley of Renmark.
A large number of relatives and friends attended, the building being crowded.
After the ceremony a dance was held. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 2-6-1932]
A move is on foot to ask the railway authorities to establish a siding on the Renmark to Barmera [railway] line. Lyrup has been at a disadvantage for years through having no siding at a convenience distance. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 18-5-1934]
Enquiries were received from Barmera and Lyrup as to the likelihood of power being extended to those centres. The secretary (Mr R C Penhall) reported that arrangements for the financing of the scheme had been satisfactorily concluded. The Trust decided to engage Major Coghlan, a qualified electrical and mechanical engineer, to supervise the installation of electric power. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 31-12-1934]
The Lyrup Welfare Club's fifth birthday was celebrated in the local institute. visitors were received by the local president (Mrs Beames) and the secretary (Mrs F Wright). Afternoon tea was provided by the committee of the club. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 12-6-1935]
A claret-cup ball was conducted by the football club. Music was supplied by McMillan's orchestra, and visitors were present from Loxton, Renmark, and Berri.
The new school which is to be officially opened by the Minister of Education (Mr Jeffries) on August 30 at 11am is now occupied. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 24-8-1935]
The new school, which is of the most modern type, was officially opened by the Minister of Education (Mr Jeffries). It is well lighted and ventilated.
Accompanying the Minister were the Director of Education (Mr Adey), Mrs Jeffries, and Mrs Adey. Speeches were given and songs sung by the children under the direction of the teacher (Mr A V Johns).
Morning lunch was provided by the women, and a half-holiday was granted to the children.
A back to school was held in the institute. A programme was arranged by the Welfare Club. The takings were £I4, which will be used in improving the school building and grounds. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 6-9-1935]
Lyrup CWA First Birthday
On Wednesday July 14, the Lyrup branch of the Country Women's Association held its first birthday party in the Lyrup Institute.
Visitors were present from Berri, Barmera, and Renmark branches. Mrs Beames, President of the Lyrup branch, received the guests.
Mrs Andison gave a very interesting and entertaining talk on her stay in Paris, while journeying to England on exchange with the Education Department. [Ref: Murray Pioneer (Renmark) 5-8-1948]