Parndana, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parndana South Australia
Parndana
Parndana Location in South Australia
Population	149 (2016 census)
Established	26 July 1951 (town) 16 May 2002 (locality)
Postcode(s)	5220
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACDT (UTC+10:30)
Location	155 km (96 mi) SW of Adelaide 40 km (25 mi) SW of Kingscote
LGA(s)	Kangaroo Island Council
Region	Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island
County	Carnarvon
State electorate(s)	Mawson
Federal Division(s)	Mayo
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 20.9 °C 70 °F 9.0 °C 48 °F 454.8 mm 17.9 in
Localities around Parndana: Duncan Cassini Cassini Duncan Parndana Seddon Seddon Seddon Seddon
Footnotes	Location Adjoining localities

Parndana is a town and area located in the Australian state of South Australia. It is found on Kangaroo Island, a large island southwest of the mainland. Parndana is about 155 kilometers (96 miles) southwest of Adelaide, the state capital. It is also about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Kingscote, which is the main town on Kangaroo Island. The name "Parndana" means "The Place of Little Gums."

History of Parndana

Parndana was created after the Second World War. It was part of a special program called the Soldier Settlement Scheme. This scheme helped soldiers who had returned from the war to become farmers.

Soldiers Settle on Kangaroo Island

In 1948, soldiers and their families started arriving in the Parndana area. They lived in simple huts that came from an old internment camp. By 1951, they began moving onto their own farms. A total of 174 families came to live here. This almost doubled the population of Kangaroo Island by 1954.

Creating the Town of Parndana

The town of Parndana was officially declared on July 26, 1951. It was set up under a law called the Crown Lands Act 1929-1944. The town area was shaped like a triangle. It was bordered by the Playford Highway, the Rowland Hill Highway, and the Wedgewood Road.

Challenges for New Farmers

The soldier settlements were built on government land. First, the land had to be cleared of thick native plants. The returned soldiers agreed to live and work in camps to do this clearing. After several years, they were given their own piece of land. However, they still needed to develop their farms further. The government gave them loans for this work.

Farming was very difficult for many settlers. They were told to raise sheep, but a type of clover they used for feed, called Yarloop clover, caused problems. It made sheep less fertile. At the time, farmers were blamed for not being good at farming. Later, it was found that the clover was the real issue. It cost a lot of money for farmers to remove it and plant other types of clover. Because of these problems, many farmers faced serious financial difficulties.

Locality Boundaries Defined

The official boundaries for the wider area, or "locality," of Parndana were set on May 16, 2002. This area included the town and some land to its west. The name was spelled incorrectly at first, but it was corrected later in the South Australian Government Gazette on August 29, 2002.

Community Facilities

Parndana has several important facilities for its residents.

• School: The town has an area school. This school teaches students from reception (kindergarten) all the way up to year 12.
• Local Businesses: There is a community hotel and two general stores. These provide places for people to stay, eat, and buy everyday items.
• Research Centre: The Parndana Research Centre was once located south of the town. It was created to help with early farming activities. However, it closed down in the 1990s.

Local Attractions

Parndana offers a special place to learn about its past.

• Soldier Settlement Museum: This museum shares information and displays items from the soldier settlement program. It helps visitors understand what life was like for the soldier settlers.

Sports and Recreation

Sports are an important part of the community in Parndana.

• Football Club: The Parndana Football Club started playing games in 1948. They played in 1949 and 1951 during the early days of land clearing. The club officially joined the Kangaroo Island Football League in February 1956.

Climate

Parndana has a climate that experiences warm summers and mild, wet winters. The area receives a good amount of rain, especially during the cooler months.