First in Australia - an Election With Women Voters in 1896 (Image:State Library SA B-5389)
South Australia has often been the first in Australia to implement new ideas. SA had the
first metal mine in Australia (1841), it was the first Australian colony to introduce male adult suffrage for parliamentary elections, and the first place in the world to allow women to stand for the Parliament (1894).
In 1872 Adelaide was the first in Australia to be connected by telegraph with London, the first juvenile court in Australia was established in Adelaide in 1890, while in 1903 the first crematorium in Australia opened at
West Terrace Cemetery. South Australia was the also the first in Australia to have a female State Governor, and an indigenous Governor.
An Early View of Adelaide by Colonel William Light (Image: State Library SA B10079)
In 1837 Colonel Light drew a picture of "A View of the Country and of the Temporary Erections near the Site for the Proposed Town of Adelaide". The drawing shows several small settlers' homes and tents, a hay cart drawn by oxen, settlers and Aboriginal people in the foreground, with the bush and Adelaide Hills in the background. It's one of the first images showing early life in Adelaide
The First Bird Show in Adelaide at Adelaide Town Hall (Image: State Library SA B37171)
Some say that politics is strictly for the birds. It might explain why the Adelaide Town Hall was the venue for a bird show in 1900 - the first in Adelaide.
First Electric Tram From Norwood to Kensington (Image: State Library SA B11015)
There was much celebration when the first electric trams ran in Adelaide in 1909, and the network steadily expanded before pulled up in the late 1950's. Now we
mourn our lost tram lines as we inch along main roads cluttered by road works.
First Steam Train to Ascot Park (Image: State Library SA PRG-280-1-7-242)
When land at Ascot Park was
advertised for sale in 1913 the allotments sold quickly. The Ascot Park railway station was quickly constructed, and a helpful photographer snapped the first steam train to Ascot Park.
Adelaide Firsts: World War 1 Anzac Arch (Image: State Library SA B5525)
South Australia was the first state in Australia to celebrate Anzac Day in 1915, an event celebrated in Ash Starkey's documentary
The First Anzac Day. Our photo shows a grand Anzac Arch commemorating our World War 1 heroes, the first in Adelaide, at the entrance to the Cheer Up Club.
First in Adelaide - a Motor Bus on Jeffcott Street (Image: State Library SA B57334)
The first motor bus in Adelaide was operated by the South Australian Railways in 1920. They competed with electric trams and steam trains, and it wasn't long before private operators became involved too.
A Caravan Motor Home in Adelaide - First in Australia (Image: State Library SA B59120)
In 1906 South Australia became the first in Australia to issue a licence to drive a motor vehicle in Adelaide. It wasn't long before some bright spark invented the motor home, and the first in Australia was built right here. You can still see it at the
Goolwa National Trust Museum.
A Petrol Pump on Grote Street, Another First in Adelaide (Image: State Library SA B63920)
With everyone finding motor cars a boon, it wasn't long before the first petrol pump in Adelaide was installed on Grote Street in 1924. We've been hostage to them ever since.
The First SA Police Motorised Prison Van (Image: State Library SA B4749)
The SA Police didn't take long to get on the bandwagon, and purchased their first motorised van in 1928. It's not recorded whether criminals enjoyed getting to the
old Adelaide Gaol faster.
Shopping Pioneers, The First Supermarket in Adelaide (Image: State Library SA BRG-305-69-3-1)
The Stop and Shop supermarket at 382 Anzac Highway, Morphettville was the first in Adelaide, changing the face of shopping in South Australia forever. The corner shops and local delis have been on a steady downhill decline ever since.
The First Holden Motor Car Made in Adelaide (Image: State Library SA BRG-213-27-10-6)
