Mallala, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mallala South Australia
Mallala Location in South Australia
Established	1851 (town) 5 June 1997 (locality)
Postcode(s)	5502
Elevation	41 m (135 ft)
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACST (UTC+10:30)
LGA(s)	Adelaide Plains Council
Region	Barossa Light and Lower North
County	Gawler
State electorate(s)	Narungga
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 23.7 °C 75 °F 9.7 °C 49 °F 393.5 mm 15.5 in
Localities around Mallala: Calomba Grace Plains Barabba Calomba Dublin Mallala Barabba Pinkerton Plains Lower Light Lower Light Korunye Redbanks Redbanks
Footnotes	Adjoining localities

Mallala (pronounced mal-ə-LAH) is a small town in South Australia. It is about 62 kilometers (38 miles) north of Adelaide, the state capital. The town's name likely comes from the Kaurna word madlala or madlola. This word means "place of the ground frog." In 2021, the Mallala area had 1042 people living there. Most of them, 887, lived right in the town itself.

What Does "Mallala" Mean?

The name "Mallala" comes from an Aboriginal word. According to historian Geoffrey Manning, it means "place of the ground frog." This name comes from the original Kaurna language.

A Look Back: Mallala's History

Mallala is located on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people. They were the first inhabitants of this area.

Early Days and Settlers

The first land in the Mallala district was claimed in 1851. Phillip Butler was the first person to take up land here. His property was called Mallala Station. The town of Mallala grew up around this station. Over time, large farming areas were divided into smaller ones. These smaller farms were sold to new settlers. This led to many small farms appearing across the area.

Many early pioneers helped build Mallala. Some of these important people included John Forby and Robert Marshman. Samuel Crouch, Peter Farrelly, and H.B. Moody also settled here. Other early families were the Jarmyns, Chivells, and McCabes. Many descendants of these first families still live in the Mallala area today.

How Mallala Became a Town

Mallala started with private land divisions. The first one was called Mallala South. It was also known as New Mallala. Later, more land was divided and sold. These areas were called the Mallala subdivisions. Another part was known as the Mallala Extension. Even though Mallala had been a town for many years, its name was officially approved in 1925. This approval came from the committee that names places.

Today, the town is located between the hills and the sea. It is about 58 kilometers (36 miles) north of Adelaide. A special War Memorial stands in the town center. It is at a spot where eight roads meet.

Past Industries

Mallala once had a company called East Brothers Machinery works. For over 100 years, they made farm equipment. This equipment was sold all over Australia. The town also had a large flour mill. Local farmers would grind their wheat there. But as the industry changed, the mill was no longer used. Today, the old mill building is a museum. It is run by the local historical committee.

Places to See in Mallala

Mallala's War Memorial

World War I Memorial at Mallala's Centre

In the middle of Mallala, there is a special memorial. It honors the soldiers who fought in World War I. This memorial stands where eight roads come together. It remembers ten local men who died in the war. They fought in places like Egypt, France, and Palestine.

The memorial has a base made of ten granite stones. These stones form a map of Australia. On top of this is a ten-sided column. It lists the names of the ten soldiers. The top of the memorial has ten marble pillars. These hold a stone cross, known as the Cross of Sacrifice. The Mallala Museum has a large collection about these soldiers. It also tells the story of other local people who served in the war.

Hospitals in Mallala

Mallala has had a few hospitals over the years. The first private hospital opened in 1941. It was located on Owen Road. This road is now called Aerodrome Road. This hospital closed in 1943. The Mallala District Hospital opened in 1953. It was later called Mallala Community Hospital. This hospital helped the community until it closed in May 2015.

Mallala Motor Sport Park

In 1939, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) built a base near Mallala. It was called RAAF Base Mallala. This base was used to train RAAF pilots. The base closed in 1960. The land was then sold in 1961.

Later that year, a race track opened on the old base land. It was called the Mallala Race Circuit. The first race was held on August 19, 1961. Less than two months later, it hosted a big race called the 1961 Australian Grand Prix. The track is now 2.601 kilometers (1.616 miles) long. It has hosted many important car races. These include the Australian Touring Car Championship.

Today, the circuit is also used for other things. The South Australian Police use it to train drivers. Each April, the track hosts a special event called Historic Mallala. This event features classic race cars.

Mallala Equestrian Centre

East of the town is the Mallala Equestrian Centre. This is a top-level facility for horse riding events. It hosts national competitions for show jumping and other horse sports.

How Mallala is Governed

Mallala is part of several government areas. For federal elections, it is in the division of Grey. For state elections, it is in the electoral district of Frome. Mallala is also part of the Adelaide Plains Council. This is the local government area. The main office for the Adelaide Plains Council is located in Mallala.