Formby Fountain
One hundred and forty years ago, a drinking
fountain cast by McFarlane’s of Scotland, and
shipped all the way to Port Adelaide, was unveiled
on North Parade by then Mayor, John Mitchell
Sinclair. A ‘public subscription’ had raised money
for the fountain, as a nod to John Formby –
prominent local businessman and Mayor of Port
Adelaide from 1870 1873.
The unveiling on May 27, 1876, took place with
much fan-fair and earned lengthy prose in the
South Australian Advertiser.
John Formby was well-regarded for his services as
Mayor, his business acumen and his contribution
to the local community.
He arrived in Port Adelaide, on a ship he owned,
from his native Liverpool in 1840 at the age of just
21. Eight years later he married Mary Ann Hollow
– and some sources of history report him having
fathered 13 children.
He founded “John Formby and Son, Customs
and Shipping Agents” in Lipson Street and was
Chairman of Port Adelaide Football Club from
1880-1892.
Over more than a century, the Formby Fountain
was moved to various locations around Port
Adelaide, and withstood, well, the ravages
of time. That is until 2014 when because of
extensive cracking and corrosion, and to ensure
its preservation, it was put on permanent loan to
the Port Adelaide Historical Society Museum, on
Fletcher Road, Peterhead.
A replica was cast by Billmans Foundry in Victoria
– and has been placed outside what is now the
Port Adelaide Police Station.
John Formby died in his home at Alberton
on October 1, 1906 and he was buried at the
Alberton Cemetery, now known as Pioneer Park.
For a step back in time, visit the Formby Fountain
- a lasting memorial to a man who played an
important role in Port Adelaide’s history.
100 Years of History
Reflecting on newspaper stories
from our past
Shipping in war
“The greatest fleet of ships ever seen in South Australia
berthed in Port Adelaide in 1942. It was the giant convoy
which brought the A.I.F. back from the Middle East….
In March, April, and May 1942, 73 troopships and two
hospital ships berthed at the Port … 32,932 personnel
disembarked here and more than 50,000 tons of war
material was loaded. At the same time harbor staff and
wharf labourers handled all the interstate ships that
were in the port. The work went on 24 hours a day,
in the greatest shipping rush in Port Adelaide’s history.
Every berth was occupied. Often big overseas ships
were moored two abreast, sending ashore an endless
stream of men, vehicles, guns, ammunition, and other
war supplies…. There was not a hitch. Not a single vessel
was held at the anchorage waiting for a berth. A few
weeks later, the same scenes again when American troops
poured ashore, to use Australia as the jumping off place
for the war in the Pacific.”
By 'The News' Skipping Reporter, August 31, 1945
U.S men think our women are beautiful
'American soldiers think South Australian women are
beautiful, and regard Australian soldiers as a fine bunch of
men. Americans, who have been entertained by the Port
Adelaide Cheer-up Society, told the secretary (Mr. Jonas)
this in a letter of appreciation.'
The News, May 7, 1942
The recently installed Formby Fountain replica on the
corner of Lipson St and St Vincent St
Below: Adelaide, SA. 14 March 1942. The troop train conveying
troops of the 7th Australian Division to Adelaide after their
disembarkation at Port Adelaide on their return from the Middle East.