Almanac Sporting Publications: Krondorf appears in ‘The Sport’

 

 

 

 

 

 

These days I do a little bit of research on the history of Krondorf which is the area along Krondorf Road, home to Rockford Wines at 131, in the Barossa Valley. It’s not really a village – it has no square, no shops, no signposts. The old Lutheran church is now a B & B connected to Charlie Melton Wines.

 

This research takes me to Trove, the digitised newspaper collection of the National Library of Australia, with which many Almanac writers are familiar. Trove takes me here, there and everywhere, and it’s pretty easy to let one thing lead to another as items capture your interest.

 

In recent times I stumbled across a South Australian sports paper which I’d never heard of. First published in 1911, ‘The Sport’ also seems to be ‘The Adelaide Truth’ or its antecedent. (I’m in the process of finding out a little more from the newspaper collections specialist at the state library – thanks for the tip Bernard Whimpress.)

 

The weekly included a gossip column known as ‘They Say’ which was full of news from around South Australia – which may have been based on fact, but maybe not. It could be that the writer, ‘Sporty’ himself, did have a source in each town and village, although I’m guessing he was happy to speculate. ‘They Say’ was compilation of snippets with names like ‘Hahndorf Hints’, ‘Port Augusta Pickings’, ‘Eden Valley Echoes’, ‘Quorn Quips’, ‘Tanunda Ticklers’ and so on.

 

 

 

 

The intention seems to have been to attract a wide audience of readers, interested in the goss, who might eventually engage with the principal purpose of the publication: the promotion of racing, punting and drinking (as there are a lot of ads for pubs).

 

Krondorf features which, given it was home to a dozen or so families, was somewhat surprising. I’m not sure whether Sporty had a sense of the absurd, but it seems rather ambitious that he thought he could convince the good German Lutherans of Bethany and Krondorf to spend their nights at the pub or their Saturdays at the races. Nonetheless, he did purport to be in the know. Here is the transcript of a piece from October, 1915

 

 

BETHANY AND KRONDORF BITES

 

There was great excitement in Fowl St., Bethany, and Cow St., Krondorf, on Saturday last, when the ‘Sport’ came to hand. Everyone seemed to know who Sport was, but I’m blessed if they did.

 

Wanted to buy. – A new set of brains, as mine are completely worn. Apply Victor G., H. Valley.

 

“He, Ho, Hum!” What you call that? It’s Harry H., flash kid when he rides that chestnut mare. Look out, Henke, Sporty is watching you.

 

Harry H. told Sport he loves Martha D., but she loves someone else.

 

Wanted to Exchange. – A secondhand motor-bike for a double bed-stead. – Apply Herbert L.

 

Mrs. L. should mind her own business, and not talk about other boys so much.

 

 

And another from the following week…

 

 

BETHANY AND KRONDORF BOMBSHELLS

 

Wanted – A photographer to take my photo.

 

Must have a strong camera, with an extra strong lens. Have damaged all the local cameras.

– Edie S.

 

With Krondorf Wireless I can’t find a fault,
in carrying news she can’t make a halt.
She’s not inquisitive at all,
but if not careful, over her tongue will fall.

 

 

Sport thinks Albert H. was slightly gone in his head on Sunday night week. The way he yelled about the streets was disgusting.

 

Gerry I. and Alma K. (the baby lovers) are a good match.

Janie says Harry H. makes himself useful in many ways.

 

This Sporty heard on Sunday night,
when Gilly was spooning with all his might.
“I love you, Ida.” Gilly says.
“I like your smoodging. hugging ways.
You squeeze as well as any bear –
in fact, you’ve nearly pressed me square.
In kissing you are hard to beat, and,
let me tell you, they are sweet.
You are a little old, I know,
but all the same, you still have go.

 

I’m twenty-two, but let me see,
you’re twenty-eight, but will that gee?
Your face is rather wrinkled, too,
but never mind. I do love you.

 

The powder you’ll not need to-morrow,
therefore I’ve licked out every furrow.
Now, sweetheart, will you be my spouse?
I’ll marry you, and build a house.

 

Well live in joy and comfort there

 

What others say I do not care.”

 

It seems there was always something going on in Krondorf and, about a mile away, at Bethany.

 

 

 

 

Here’s the link to the page on Trove. It’s worth having a look at other pages and editions.

 

 

Read more from John Harms HERE.

 

 

 

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