Heritage Places
Heritage Place Details
| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
|
| Address |
Off Birdsville Track, Via MARREE |
| Locality |
|
| Accuracy |
L - low level confidence |
| Development Plan |
Land Not Within a Council Area (Far North) |
| Polygon Type |
P - parcel (from DCDB) |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Mulka Store (sometime Scobie Homestead) Ruins |
| Registered Name |
Mulka Store Ruins |
| Significance |
Built c.1885 with additions c.1924, the ruin is historically significant because it represents the first holding of Alexander Scobie and the pattern of pastoral settlement in a hostile and predominantly harsh environment. From c1924 to c1953 the building became a store and an isolated supply point for travellers along the Birdsville Track. Its ownership for much of this period by George Aiston, noted for his invaluable work in early anthropological study, adds to its historical interest.
George 'Poddy' Aiston is an important figure in the region's history. In 1901, on his return from the Boer War, he joined the S.A. Police Force and served at various remote locations before being posted to Mungeranine in 1912. He and his wife opened a store in that year. By then his keen interest in Aboriginal customs as Aboriginal Welfare Officer had made him an authority in the area. Aiston's new job made him protector of two local tribes, the Dieri and Wonkongura.
When he resigned from the force in 1924 before buying Mulka Station he had accumulated a valuable collection of artefacts, which he housed in a large room of the store. He opened a new store in the former homestead in 1924. Upon his retirement he collaborated with Dr GV Horne to write 'Savage Life in Central Australia' based upon 20 year's study of Aboriginal life. He was also involved in arranging a display of native crafts at the Melbourne National Museum, and responsible for cataloguing the Horne-Bowie Collection in Canberra. ('Sydney Morning Herald', 12 March 1931) as Honorary Consulting Anthropologist. He died in 1943 and his widow kept the store open. When Mrs. Aiston left c1953 she presented most of his collection to the SA and Canberra Museums. (HCB 10/8/84) |
| Subject Index |
Commerce (retail and wholesale) - Shop; Miscellaneous - Ruin; Farming and grazing - Homestead; Cemeteries and burial sites - Isolated Grave |
| Class |
State |
|
|
| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
25-JUL-1985 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Unincorporated SA |
| State Heritage ID |
12758 |
| Heritage Number |
54 |
|
|
|
| SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
| Section 16 |
|
| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CL 6175/774 H832300 S266 |
Disclaimer
While due care has been taken to ensure that the SA Heritage Places Database accurately reflects the South Australian Heritage Register and listings of Local Heritage Places in Development Plans, the State of South Australia does not accept liability for the use of the SA Heritage Database for any purpose. Users should consult the Department for Environment and Water - Heritage South Australia to confirm the listing of State Heritage Places and the relevant Development Plan for Local Heritage Places/Contributory Items.
In the majority of cases, the maps of State Heritage Places on this web site show the footprints of the most significant structures on a registered Place. However, sometimes they simply indicate the complete area of land comprising the Place. Work is proceeding to further refine the mapping of such places. It is also important to note that development control is not limited to the registered structures but extends to their setting and structures nearby (what is termed ‘development affecting’ a State Heritage Place). Hence it is vital that exact details of the listed place and implications for any proposed development be discussed with Heritage South Australia staff, as they cannot be deduced solely from the information on this web site. The inclusion of a place in the SA Heritage Register gives no right of public access. Permission to visit properties must be sought from the owners. The accuracy of the mapping of State Heritage Places is not guaranteed. Please contact Heritage SA ( https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/sa-heritage-register) if you believe there is an error.
GIS files
To access downloadable GIS files, go to Data.SA.