2026
We held a working bee in September 2025 to rearrange our shed displays and put our phone box on concrete blocks to extend its life span. Thank you to all of those who helped out.
In October 2025, our last surviving Soldier Settler man, Dudley Roberts passed away just after his 102nd birthday. Dudley was also the last remaining 2/27th Battalion member.
Our collection of interviews, photos and videos have been updated to digital format to preserve them for the future and make them more accessible.
Our website has been updated with some wonderful stories and videos. If you would like your family story added please email us
A future long-term project for the Museum is formally identifying the position of each Soldier Settlement farm. (In total 174 farms and 186 Settlers). We are exploring different options and costs, to physically mark the location of each property on site.
ANZAC day is always well attended in Parndana and after the service we will again open the Museum up for people to visit. This has proved to be very popular for locals and visitors.
We are still collecting family information and photos, sadly some families do not have any, but if you think that you may have something for us, please email us.
This year we are again involved with the History Trust of SA for History Month in May, the theme is “Connections”. We are holding a luncheon on the 24th May 2026 at the Parndana Hotel 12 noon, following with a catch up at the Museum. It is open to all families, friends and connections of the Soldier Settlement Scheme.
Lunch cost to be confirmed, please RSVP by 10th May 2026 via:
Email
2025
With the opening of the rebuilt Western District Sports Club rooms in May, we took the opportunity to open more hours for families to attend the Museum, it was very well received. On the Friday and Sunday there was lots of reminiscing, family information and photos collected.
The history month theme this year was “Power”. Farms were only connected to 240 volt electricity from 1966 to 1970, so 32 volt generators and various fuels were used in prior years. Our display was organised by Shirley, who did an amazing job and we all enjoy her work in the foyer, compiling different displays that create a lot of interest.
We are currently the caretakers of the World War II Australian Army 2/27th Battalion Flag, as we have the oldest living veteran from that Battalion living in our community, Dudley Roberts aged 101.
This year our Museum software (Mosaic) was updated, 99% of files are transferred and more family information is being added. We continue to collect photos and information for family files. New display cabinets that we received from the History Trust have been put to good use.
Some of the maintenance that has been carried out this year at the Museum includes the painting of the exterior facia boards, mortar gun base and the telephone box. The Koerstz wool press was also restored. We continue to endeavour to address more ongoing maintenance.
An outdoor bench seat dedicated to a past volunteer and benefactor Pat Cass now overlooks the memorial walls and garden area.
The Sir Cecil Hincks Memorial plough shed that was destroyed in the bushfires has been finally replaced, thanks to Kangaroo Island Council. Located on Timber Creek Road, it marks the site of the Parndana East camp.
Caroline Scrimshaw’s revised version of “A Taste Of the Past - Kangaroo Island” recipe books have recently arrived and are available for sale at the Museum. The revision features our Soldier Settler women who served in WWII. If you wish to order a book, email us on
We enjoy putting photos on the Soldier Settlement Scheme Kangaroo Island Facebook page. It creates a lot of interest and people are quick to point out correct names, dates and memories and you find people connecting up with old neighbours, school friends etc.
To the volunteers who fill our roster each month, do the day-to-day jobs and any extras if asked, thank you as it keeps things running smoothly and makes everyone’s job easier.
Their partners efforts mustn’t be forgotten as well, thank you. We are always on the lookout for new volunteers with an interest in our history, reach out to us at
We are also very grateful to the local individuals and businesses who willingly support us on an ongoing basis.
And importantly, thank you to the people that continue to contribute items for our displays and archives, which all enrich the visitor experience.