NEWS
SIGNIFICANT TREE PLANTED AT SPRINGTON
Springton, Sunday 17th June: Members of the Committee of Springton Progress Association - and some interested tourists - braced the crisp winter's morning air to take part in a commemorative tree planting ceremony in the parklands adjacent the Springton Settlers' Wall.
The handsome river red-gum is a seedling of the popular Barossa tourist destination the gnarled and ancient ‘Herbig Family Tree', home to German Pioneer Settlers Friedrich & Caroline Herbig. David Herbig, descendant of the tree settlers, officiated at the ceremony and dedicated the tree in honour of local settler families in general and the five founders of the Springton Progress Association in particular.
It is almost 108 years ago that five citizens met at the Springton Hotel to discuss raising finances to
extend the local Council Chambers. The group, known as "The Building Committee", consisted of George Vigar (President), Adolph Rohrlach (Secretary), William Forrest, Reinhold ‘Busy' Herbig & George Randall. The first fundraising event was a concert ‘held on the Friday closest to the full moon' (no doubt to allow safe travel to and from by horse & cart) and was described as ‘...a great success, raising 3 pounds 16 shillings'. The Building Committee later became the Springton Progress Association, formed in 1928.
The current SPA Committee is following suit with a concert in the Springton Hall planned for early Spring - it is also hoped to be a great success, however the fund raising target is somewhat higher than the original event's takings!