City of Playford

Join speaker and author Martin Johnson as he takes you back to the building of South Para Reservoir 1948-58.

The building of the South Para Reservoir was an accomplishment of engineering and an experience in different cultures working together for the first time. Join Martin Johnson who lived in the camp as he shares his stories about that time.

Martin spent his entire childhood living at the camp. Fascinated by the lives of the men and women, the mothers and the children growing up in this working-class environment, he was moved to capture their stories, in their own words, so modern society can gain a better understanding of the culture of the 1950s that went on to shape post war South Australia.

Martin Johnson will regale you with stories and poems from this book Twenty Houses: An anecdotal history of the building of South Para Reservoir 1948-1958.

Martin Johnson is a Gawler poet, writer, musician and event convenor.

*Martin Johnsons book will be available to purchase on the day.