Bygone Moonta comes to life

Her father Neil Weidenbach’s natural storytelling ability about his childhood inspired her to self-publish these memories in her latest book – Growing Up Moonta.

“He brought the people to life and you felt like you were there – it was like any small country town where everyone connects to everyone,” she said.

Kristin – the author of seven books including Mailman of the Birdsville Track and King of the Outback, a children’s book about Sir Sidney Kidman – says her eighth is special to her.

It gives an insight into Neil’s upbringing with his parents and grandparents living under the same roof.

Moonta has a rich history built on copper, but by the late 1920s the mine had closed and it had transformed into an agriculture, fishing and tourist town.

As a teenager, Neil, who later became a teacher, was even a ‘wheat boy’ during his school holidays, tallying the delivered bags which were then lumped into huge stacks.

“It was a very happy childhood although he grew up during the war years,” Kristin said.

The book includes anecdotes about ‘Squirt’ Howlett, who often roamed the streets at night in his pyjamas and the Tossell clan, who were a big part of the community.

Growing Up Moonta is beautifully presented with copper foil etching on the book’s cover, and black and white photos from her father’s photo album woven in the pages. 

She says the book is about a “time and a town” but hopes it will have far wider appeal than those interested in Moonta’s past.

“Even though it is specific to Moonta it could be any small town in Australia from that era,” she said.

“They all had similar power houses and the butcher and grocer doing deliveries in a horse and cart.

“The barber would shave with a cutthroat razor and classrooms were a pressure cooker for teachers.”

Kristin says Growing Up Moonta also gives an insight into a “simpler time”.

“There is an interest in nostalgia and people are interested in growing their own produce, home baking and preserving,” she said.

“There are things we could learn from going back when people talked to their neighbours over the back fence and mended their clothes.”

Sadly, Neil passed away two years ago without seeing the book published, but Kristin says it was special having audio recordings with him.

“He was also able to be reacquainted with many of his school friends coming with me on my interviews where they would get talking about those times,” she said.

Kristin feels a strong connection to Moonta with her family still owning 30 Caroline St, where her grandparents once lived.

“While researching and writing the book, I lived in the town for five months and my daughter went to the school her ancestors had gone to,” she said.

“I feel like its my second home.”