What happened to Chowilla Dam? Billed in 1960 as the antidote to SA’s water security issues, by 1971 plans were shelved, the tramway pulled up, and Dartmouth Dam in Victoria was the front runner.

As part of SA History Month, we have curated an absorbing presentation surrounding the history of the Chowilla Dam. Come hear our panellists talk about that whirlwind time when salinity, water security, and economic survival were hot topics on the political agenda.

Wednesday 21 May 3.00pm, Renmark Paringa Library, with light refreshments provided. A video of the event will be available for those who are unable to attend

More details about the event are here

All irrigators are advised that pumping will cease at 9pm on SUNDAY 11 May to 11.59pm FRIDAY 16 May 2025

The annual shutdown enables planned preventative maintenance and other works to be completed which cannot be carried out while normal pumping is in progress.

Domestic and industrial water users should maintain storage capable of holding up to 7 days supply at all times.

Captain Colin Frank Williams MC

Colin Williams, a clerk in the RIT office from around 1936, was given leave from the RIT to enlist on the 5 September 1940. At the Board Meeting on 23 September 1940 his enlistment was acknowledged and a guarantee was given that his job would be returned to him after the war. He enlisted at Keswick into the 2/48^th Battalion which was in the process of formation and entered the army with the rank of Lieutenant due to his prior involvement with the 48^th Militia Battalion. Colin was a keen local sportsman and was mentioned often in the Renmark cricket and golf reports. He was a past student of Renmark Agricultural High School¹ and his family lived in Renmark for 13 years from 1922 to 1935.²

Following a period of training at Wayville in Adelaide the unit was given pre-embarkation leave from Thursday 17 October 1940 to Tuesday 22 October. He returned to Renmark immediately and on Friday 18 October he married Gweneth Yvonne Saies, daughter of the late Mrs F.W. Saies, at St Augustine’s Church. The church was decorated by friends of the bride, Mrs A E Sage, Mrs N Hagley, Miss C Riedel and Miss Mollie Saies. ‘A guard of honour was formed by members of the Renmark Transport Unit, of which the bride is a member, and men of the 48^th Militia Battalion. About 40 guests were entertained at a reception, held at the home of the bride’s aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs R.N. Saies.’³ On the night of Monday 21 October Colin and Gwen Williams were absent from the Renmark Institute where a crowd of 500 people had gathered to farewell around 20 local soldiers also set to embark. Instead Colin’s parents, Mr and Mrs R A Williams, accepted gifts of a propelling pencil and cigarettes from the Mayor of Renmark and socks from the Comfort Funds Committee on behalf of their son.⁴

On Tuesday 22 October Lieutenant Williams returned to his unit and Gwen Williams to the new family home at 64 Murray Avenue⁵, Renmark. On the 7 November, less than 3 weeks after the wedding Lt Williams embarked with the 2/48^th for the Middle East. The Battalion was soon involved in action in North Africa in what became known as the Benghazi Handicap. Axis forces were forced to the west across North Africa until German reinforcements halted the push and then forced the Allied units, mainly the 9^th Division, back towards the East. They made a stand at Tobruk where the 2/48^th remained from 10 April 1941 to 12 October 1941.

During the Siege of Tobruk the defenders became known as the Rats of Tobruk and the 2/48^th began a reputation that led to it becoming the most decorated Australian battalion of the Second World War. Lieutenant Colin Williams was promoted to Captain on 16 April 1941.Following the evacuation of the battalion from Tobruk in October, Christmas 1941 and the early part of 1942 were spent in Palestine recovering and rebuilding. The 9^th Division then returned to North Africa, this time to halt the advance of Rommel’s army towards Cairo in the battle of El Alamein.

One of the precursor battles to El Alamein was for the strategic Tel el Eisa ridge and railway station on 10 July 1942.

Captain Williams never learned of his bravery award as he was killed in action as the battle continued at Tel el Eisa twelve days later on 22 July 1942. His body was later moved to the El Alamein War Cemetery.

Source https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1229989

Gwen Williams was presented with Colin’s Military Cross in May 1945 at Government House in Adelaide. She married Lieutenant Rollo Treloar of Broken Hill on 15 November 1945.

Thanks to Geoff Bull for compiling the research and editing this article in March 2025. The original article was published in November 2020. Please contact the Trust Office with any comments or additional information.

[1] Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record, 30 Apr 1942, Anzac Observances at Schools, p5

[2] Ibid, 14 Feb 1935, After Thirteen Years, p10

[3] Ibid, 24 Oct 1940, Williams-Saies, p12

[4] Ibid, 24 Oct 1940, Soldiers on Leave Honoured, p9

[5] Murray Avenue North was renamed James Avenue in 1949. Prior to that time even numbered properties were in Murray Avenue North and odd numbered properties in Murray Avenue South.

The Trust Office will be closed from 4.30pm Thursday 24 April and will reopen at 9am on Monday 28 April.

For any emergencies with your water delivery please ring 8586 6050

We farewelled Barry Schier on Friday, 4 April at the Paringa Friendship Centre, marking the end of an incredible 47-year journey with the Trust.

Barry began his career with the Trust in January 1978. By 1984, he had taken on the role of senior electrician. Not long after, the automation of the pump station took place, and Barry played a key role in making that upgrade a success.

From 1992 to 2000 Barry served as Operations Manager and then transitioned into the role of IT Manager in 2000. He later served as the chief executive for a 10-year term from 2009 to 2019 — during a period of major change and reform at the Trust. His exceptional project management skills were particularly evident during the SARMS 3IP project, which ran from 2014 to 2017. This initiative improved the efficiency of the pipeline network and extended the pipeline from Begara Street to deliver water to Block X.

Barry was known for his reliability, punctuality, and unwavering support for his colleagues. He was always enthusiastic about giving tours of the Main Pump Station, most recently doing so during the celebration of its 50th anniversary in December 2022.

Barry’s deep knowledge of the Trust’s infrastructure and his dedication over five decades leave a lasting legacy. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

The Trust office will be closed for Easter from 4.30pm 17 April until 9am Tuesday 22 April.

For emergencies please ring (08) 8586 6050

Have a safe and happy Easter

Good news for River Murray irrigators.

The announcement today by the Department for Environment and Water will ensure that irrigators will be able to access 100 percent of their allocation in 2025-26.

As the projected minimum opening allocation is 100 percent, no more allocation announcements are scheduled in relation to the 2025-26 water year. In mid-June 2025, the volume of water available for allocation will be gazetted and allocations issued for use from 1 July 2025.

More details about this announcement can be found here

New opening hours for the New Year!

The RIT office will now be open from 9 am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday

The Trust office will open again on Monday 6 January at 9am.

For pipe breaks/emergencies there is always someone to call 24/7. Phone (08) 8586 6050

The Trust office will close at 5pm Monday 23 December, and reopen at 9am on Monday 6th January (please note the change of opening time)

Please ring 8586 6050 for any urgent matters during this time as we have staff rostered on to deal with emergencies.

Water can be booked by phone from 8.30am to 10.30am each day or you can book anytime via our online water orders page https://orders.rit.org.au/

We hope you have a great Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.