Speeches
Sunday, 09 November 2025
Sesquicentenary of Bundaleer Forest
I am pleased to join you for this celebration of Bundaleer Forest’s Sesquicentenary. I visited in March and heard about the wonderful new facility, Maple and Pine. So, I was delighted to be invited back and to be with you today.
I am pleased to be walking in the footsteps of my distinguished predecessor as Governor, Sir Mark Oliphant, who joined in the 1975 Centenary celebrations.
On my way here today, I reflected that, 50 years on, my perceptions of Bundaleer Forest may differ from Sir Mark’s.
As a physicist, Sir Mark may have contemplated the botany and mechanics of how this forest grew and observed the working of a plantation forest: soil cultivation, planting of seedlings, clearing of undergrowth, and harvesting.
As former head of the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my mind turns to how this forest has generated timber, employment and revenue for this region, our state and the nation, and the role it plays in biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
I pay tribute to all of you here today who have contributed to the operations of this forest.
When Bundaleer Forest was established in 1875 by a group of visionaries – among them Surveyor General George Goyder, botanist Dr Richard Schomburgk, and nurseryman, William Curnow – it was Australia’s first purpose-planted forest to supply timber for a growing colony fast depleting native vegetation.
The homes, railway sleepers and telegraph poles built by timber from Bundaleer Forest helped to grow towns, transport and communication.
Over time, we have come to see plantation forests like Bundaleer as balancing commercial forestry with conservation and public recreation.
Many South Australians treasure memories of time spent here camping, hiking, and attending events like music festivals and community gatherings – people coming together to take joy from simple pleasures.
In 1934, the forest hosted the Peterborough Coachbuilders Federation picnic, where you could participate in three-legged and sack races and a ‘married women’s race’, and cool down afterwards with drinks and ice-cream.
Bundaleer Forest even had a school until the late 1960s. It is lovely to see local kindergarten and school children continuing to visit.
What better classroom than this living, breathing museum.
And long before all this activity, this land held deep significance for the Nukunu and Ngadjuri Peoples. Their connection to this country stretches far back before European settlement and continues today.
Friends,
I know the fires that ravaged Bundaleer and Wirrabara Forests in 2013 and 2014 were a traumatic experience for your region – not only their direct impact but the subsequent uncertainty with the future of the forests.
A group of modern visionaries lobbied the state government to keep this part of Bundaleer Forest in community hands – I commend the Bundaleer Forest Community Areas Association and the wider community for your steadfast efforts.
This Forest reserve is now under your custodianship and public access to much-loved hiking trails preserved under greenway legislation.
I understand a section of Wirrabara Forest is now part of the newly proclaimed Wapma Thura Southern Flinders Ranges National Park where the history and legacy of these forests can continue to be shared with visitors.
Bundaleer Forest has always, and will continue to, support community wellbeing, resilience, connection and learning.
As we celebrate 150 years of Bundaleer Forest, your efforts – and indeed the presence of so many of you today - ensure it has a future to look forward to.
May you and your families, friends and visitors continue to enjoy Bundaleer Forest for many years to come.