Loveday Internment Camp Website Launch

On Friday 3 November 2023, the Loveday Internment Camp Committee in collaboration with Council, launched the “Loveday Internment Camp” website.

The aim of the website is to retain the history of the site and encourage descendants to share information and stories on their families’ involvement in the World War II internment in the Riverland.

Approximately 30 invited guests attended the unveiling at the Barmera Visitor Information Centre.

The website was launched by the Committee with assistance from Councillor Rhonda Centofanti and her brother-in-law Mario, who are descendants of Italian internees. With a welcome speech by Mayor Winnall, the event was MC’d by Councillor Trevor Scott.

Special guests included Mr Tony Piccolo, MP who represented the SA Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison MP who was unable to attend. Mr Piccolo also has a personal connection to the site at Loveday, as his uncle was detained there.

We also had the privilege of Professor Mutsumi Tsuda from Kwansei Gakuin University’s School of Policy Studies Section in Japan. Professor Tsuda visited our region in 2009, at which time she took photos which have been exhibited in Japan, New Caledonia, and France.

The website features some interesting material including the history of the Loveday Internment Camps and a DVD compiled by curator Rosemary Gower featuring original footage of the camp by the late George Bolton senior, a film-maker from Adelaide. Unfortunately, due to illness, Rosemary was unable to attend the launch.

The journey to this moment has been filled with dedication and hard work. The Committee has put its heart and soul into this platform to help keep the history and provide a vital gateway for descendants to connect and share their stories and images. The Committee believe that the website is not just a static presence on the internet, it will evolve and grow as more stories come to hand.

Berri Barmera Council’s Loveday Internment Camp Project Facilitator, Christine Webster, would love to hear from anyone who has photos and memories they would like to share about the Camp.

“We know there are descendants of those associated with camp living across Australia and throughout the world”, Ms Webster said.

“If you have something of interest, please contact me”.

We hope you find the website informative, engaging and a valuable resource. If you have any feedback, we would love to hear from you.

Speakers:

• Berri Barmera Council Mayor Ella Winnall welcomed everyone to the website launch.
• Tony Piccolo MP, Member for Light, who represented South Australian Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs the Hon Zoe Bettison MP, spoke about his personal connection with the internment camp.
• Berri Barmera Councillor, the late Rhonda Centofanti and her brother-in-law Mario Centofanti spoke about their family connection to the Loveday Internment Camp. They officially launched the website. The committee is mourning the loss of Rhonda, she was much-loved and made an outstanding contribution to the Riverland community. We will miss her invaluable input and support.
• MC for the event was Councillor Trevor Scott who was Deputy Mayor from November 2022 to November 2023.

More video highlights of the website launch will be posted soon…

For media enquiries:

Contact Christine Webster, Loveday Internment Camp Project Facilitator on 0417 304 283, or email cwebster@bbc.sa.gov.au