100 YEARS AGO
Looking into our past…
Among the Shirkers: Detention
camp for Fort Largs
– Christmas
Clemency for 47 Trainees
The Advertiser, 24 December 1913
It was a tough crowd of 65 defaulters that
paraded at the detention camp outside
Fort Largs before the Acting Commandant
(Major Brand). All had been prosecuted for
not complying with the requirements of the
Defence Act. The military authorities withheld
action to see if the delinquents would ‘make
good.’ Month after month passed, and while
nearly 14,000 youths in the State, were doing
their duty about 200 were openly defying
the law.
On December 1 instructions were issued to
deal with all shirkers in the Senior Cadets
and Citizen Forces. The result was that over
180 were before the courts. The majority paid
the fines rather than risk losing their jobs.
The others preferred the detention camp. Of
these some had never been known by the civil
police to work. They were of the larrikin type
of the worst class. Some were out of work at
the time; some could not pay the fine, and
one absolutely refused to pay the fine or do
duty of any sort on the plea of conscientious
scruples. Many sentences of detention would
not ordinarily terminate till two or three days
after Christmas Day.
In view of the fact that many were first
offenders the Acting Commandant, with the
concurrence of the magistrates concerned,
promised to remit the sentences of those
trainees whose conduct was good, in order
they might return to their homes for the
festive season, provided they turned over the
proverbial new leaf on January 1.
3D Printing Presentation
The Library Service and Fab Lab Adelaide are demonstrating
the use of a 3D printer at an upcoming session at the Port
Library. Have you ever been curious about how the world
of 3D printing works? Join the session to witness Fab Lab
Adelaide creating an object using the latest 3D printing
technology that is available today. Fab Lab Adelaide is a
not-for-profit community workshop in which new products
and creative works can be designed and made using digital
fabrication equipment including several 3D printers and a
laser cutter. The free session will be held at the Port Adelaide
Library, 2-4 Church St, Port Adelaide on Wednesday
18 December at 2pm.
Bookings essential on 8405 6580 or via
Christmas Cheer
It’s time to celebrate! Greenacres and Semaphore libraries
are giving children and adults alike the chance to decorate
a Christmas themed cupcake and make Christmas themed
chocolates or chocolate pops. We will provide you with
a cupcake to decorate and the opportunity to take part
in chocolate making. Once finished, you can keep your
masterpiece and take it home to show off to the family. All
materials will be supplied so you must book if you wish to
participate. The session is not suitable for children under five
years. This activity will run at Greenacres library on Thursday
19 December, from 6.30-7.30pm and Semaphore library on
Monday 23 December from 10.30-11.30am.
Bookings are essential by phone or online
