Well, there's an exhibition at the State Library on at the moment that's going to generate a lot of interest if it hasn't already. It's a revision the Holden collection, and joining the now is Mark Gilbert from the State Library.

Well, there's an exhibition at the State Library on at the moment that's going to generate a lot of interest if it hasn't already. It's a revision the Holden collection, and joining the now is Mark Gilbert from the State Library.

Mark goodbying to you come one, and Graham great to be here.

Mark goodbying to you come one, and Graham great to be here.

I think Holden has a very special place in the hearts of most Southern stadiums because of the history of Holden, Woodville Plant and so forth. And it was a sad time when we saw the last Holden roll off the production line at Elizabeth. So this reavision exhibit, I think is obviously it's been on for some time now that's going on for some time to come, will be very well received.

I think Holden has a very special place in the hearts of most Southern stadiums because of the history of Holden, Woodville Plant and so forth. And it was a sad time when we saw the last Holden roll off the production line at Elizabeth. So this reavision exhibit, I think is obviously it's been on for some time now that's going on for some time to come, will be very well received.

I think. So we've the State librari'ess had the hold and archive since the early nineteen nineties, so we've got the material dating back to the eighteen fifties when Holden started on King William Street right in the city as a saddle maker, so just near the beehive of corner.

I think. So we've the State librari'ess had the hold and archive since the early nineteen nineties, so we've got the material dating back to the eighteen fifties when Holden started on King William Street right in the city as a saddle maker, so just near the beehive of corner.

Is that right? So I think most think of just from cars and the FJ. Holden, but they were around much much longer than.

Is that right? So I think most think of just from cars and the FJ. Holden, but they were around much much longer than.

Much much longer, and they were after the First World War. Holden Motor Bodybuilders were making all sorts of cars in Adelaide, Chrysler's Fords as well as the GM cars, so they were assembling and making cars before the famous nineteen forty eight.

Much much longer, and they were after the First World War. Holden Motor Bodybuilders were making all sorts of cars in Adelaide, Chrysler's Fords as well as the GM cars, so they were assembling and making cars before the famous nineteen forty eight.

Is there any particular reason why Adelaide became the home of Holden and it could well have been produced in Sydney or Melbourne, bigger centers.

Is there any particular reason why Adelaide became the home of Holden and it could well have been produced in Sydney or Melbourne, bigger centers.

Well, it became a national company really when General Motors merged with Holden Motor Bodybuilders in nineteen thirty one, so the head office did move to Melbourne, so that when the Holden cars were made, the engines were made over there at Fisherman's Ben in Port Melbourne, transported over here for assembly at Woodville and later at Elizabeth So it became very much a national company and of course an international company as well.

Well, it became a national company really when General Motors merged with Holden Motor Bodybuilders in nineteen thirty one, so the head office did move to Melbourne, so that when the Holden cars were made, the engines were made over there at Fisherman's Ben in Port Melbourne, transported over here for assembly at Woodville and later at Elizabeth So it became very much a national company and of course an international company as well.

If you have any memories of Holden, any fond stories you'd like to pass on to us. The call now eight double two to three double O doublo. Mark Gilbert is in the studio. We're talking about this rear vision exhibition at the library. So what sort of things can we expect to see?

If you have any memories of Holden, any fond stories you'd like to pass on to us. The call now eight double two to three double O doublo. Mark Gilbert is in the studio. We're talking about this rear vision exhibition at the library. So what sort of things can we expect to see?

It's kind of been three parts Graham. So there's those early years and then the effort that Holden put into the war effort during the Second World War, which was just a huge manufacturing effort that kind of led to Australian cars being produced because they had this huge manufacturing base and after the Second World War the government was very keen that we had our own car and that's exactly what Holden did. So in ninety forty eight they developed the famous forty eight two to one five. But we've also got not just stories about cars, but stories of the workers. So in their own words, there was a big project that the UNI of Adelaide did and we've used those interviews with workers, some workers that worked for fifty years at Holden.

It's kind of been three parts Graham. So there's those early years and then the effort that Holden put into the war effort during the Second World War, which was just a huge manufacturing effort that kind of led to Australian cars being produced because they had this huge manufacturing base and after the Second World War the government was very keen that we had our own car and that's exactly what Holden did. So in ninety forty eight they developed the famous forty eight two to one five. But we've also got not just stories about cars, but stories of the workers. So in their own words, there was a big project that the UNI of Adelaide did and we've used those interviews with workers, some workers that worked for fifty years at Holden.

Wow. I mean, that's that's the the thing is, that's the heart and soul of something like that. I mean, we sort of look at cars and they roll off the production line today, but going back then, it was very much a hands on operation.

Wow. I mean, that's that's the the thing is, that's the heart and soul of something like that. I mean, we sort of look at cars and they roll off the production line today, but going back then, it was very much a hands on operation.

It was a very hands on operation. And we've got many, many thousands of photographs in our collection at the State Library just to show how in those early days just how hands on it was. You know, the ock elt and safety perhaps wasn't what it was or later on. So a lot of the work could be dangerous, and some of the workers do talk about injuries they received, but they also talk about the great times the social life. You know, there were bowling clubs in the middle of port Port Road across from the Woodville plant. They play courts at lunch time, so had big Christmas parties. It could be a big Holden family.

It was a very hands on operation. And we've got many, many thousands of photographs in our collection at the State Library just to show how in those early days just how hands on it was. You know, the ock elt and safety perhaps wasn't what it was or later on. So a lot of the work could be dangerous, and some of the workers do talk about injuries they received, but they also talk about the great times the social life. You know, there were bowling clubs in the middle of port Port Road across from the Woodville plant. They play courts at lunch time, so had big Christmas parties. It could be a big Holden family.

Holden has as you said, eighteen hundred when they first started.

Holden has as you said, eighteen hundred when they first started.

Fifty nine, eighteen fifties. Yeah, just a little shop in King William Street.

Fifty nine, eighteen fifties. Yeah, just a little shop in King William Street.

So they've gone through so many eras and I believe they were quite a large part of the war effort too.

So they've gone through so many eras and I believe they were quite a large part of the war effort too.

They were a huge part. And the interesting thing is as a lot of men were overseas serving. Of course, women who had always worked at Holden in places like the trim section really changed the way they work. So they were working in the manufacturing of parts for things like the bouth bombers and anti tank guns or huge effort was going into it. So women were very much involved in that story of the Second World War when it.

They were a huge part. And the interesting thing is as a lot of men were overseas serving. Of course, women who had always worked at Holden in places like the trim section really changed the way they work. So they were working in the manufacturing of parts for things like the bouth bombers and anti tank guns or huge effort was going into it. So women were very much involved in that story of the Second World War when it.

Was so hands on, it obviously involved so many more people, and in later years, with the technology and the production line and so forth, fewer and fewer people were involved. But when we go way back, as I said, it's so many much hands on and there would be a real level of pride among the workers at the time.

Was so hands on, it obviously involved so many more people, and in later years, with the technology and the production line and so forth, fewer and fewer people were involved. But when we go way back, as I said, it's so many much hands on and there would be a real level of pride among the workers at the time.

Yeah, and I think that pride kept going right through right to the end. Twenty seventeen workers that the last holding off the line or the last model was probably the best holding ever made. But the stories going back, you know, around say the Woodville plant, and you know, they talk a little bit about the skylarking that they would get up to. There's one good story about a gentleman who retired and then when holden closed, and as people may know, it's a Bunning's down there on Port Road. He still drives down Port Road and he kind of remembers how he used to play cricket in the grounds at lunch time and all that sort of thing. So some quite heartfelt stories.

Yeah, and I think that pride kept going right through right to the end. Twenty seventeen workers that the last holding off the line or the last model was probably the best holding ever made. But the stories going back, you know, around say the Woodville plant, and you know, they talk a little bit about the skylarking that they would get up to. There's one good story about a gentleman who retired and then when holden closed, and as people may know, it's a Bunning's down there on Port Road. He still drives down Port Road and he kind of remembers how he used to play cricket in the grounds at lunch time and all that sort of thing. So some quite heartfelt stories.

Yeah. Look, I tell you what I mean. I drive every day around there, and I see Bunnings and Harvey Norman and so forth. But I also still see you Woodville GMH. I still see the old buildings the way they were and that so it's indeblibly etched into I think most South of Stateian's minds.

Yeah. Look, I tell you what I mean. I drive every day around there, and I see Bunnings and Harvey Norman and so forth. But I also still see you Woodville GMH. I still see the old buildings the way they were and that so it's indeblibly etched into I think most South of Stateian's minds.

When I first started, you know, I mentioned I was working on this exhibition, and just about everyone I ever spoke to, whether our friend's family or strangers, would tell me the hold And story. You know. Did you know I got the Best Apprentice award in nineteen eighty six, or my grandfather worked there, or I would hear the sire and go off, you know, and on my way to school, that sort of thing. Everyone seemed to have a Holden story.

When I first started, you know, I mentioned I was working on this exhibition, and just about everyone I ever spoke to, whether our friend's family or strangers, would tell me the hold And story. You know. Did you know I got the Best Apprentice award in nineteen eighty six, or my grandfather worked there, or I would hear the sire and go off, you know, and on my way to school, that sort of thing. Everyone seemed to have a Holden story.

Yeah, and that's that's true. I've got a friend who used to work there and that he used to stitch the pholstery polstery set. Yeah, he's gone on to be a very big car dealer in town, you know, and he still talks very fondly of his days working for the general.

Yeah, and that's that's true. I've got a friend who used to work there and that he used to stitch the pholstery polstery set. Yeah, he's gone on to be a very big car dealer in town, you know, and he still talks very fondly of his days working for the general.

People do and they obviously they've gone on to other careers. Now a lot of people retired, but others went on to other jobs, and they talk about how much they learnt at Holden, the value of hard work, but also safety in the workplace, all those things that they could transfer to other jobs.

People do and they obviously they've gone on to other careers. Now a lot of people retired, but others went on to other jobs, and they talk about how much they learnt at Holden, the value of hard work, but also safety in the workplace, all those things that they could transfer to other jobs.

How did you go about collecting all the material for the exhibition?

How did you go about collecting all the material for the exhibition?

Well, the State Library does hold the Holden Archive dating back to the eighteen fifties. But we also worked with the Holden Manufacturing Heritage Association, which is run by volunteers former Holden workers. They're based up at the old Elizabeth plant, but they can't open their museum to the public generally because it's a secure plant now a secure area. So they've loaned us things such as this beautiful bronze lion that used to sit on the on the wall as you'd go into Elizabeth, and they've loaned us the first Holding engine ever made, as well as one of the last Holden engines made. So we've really worked in with them and we've got some great interviews with those guys as well.

Well, the State Library does hold the Holden Archive dating back to the eighteen fifties. But we also worked with the Holden Manufacturing Heritage Association, which is run by volunteers former Holden workers. They're based up at the old Elizabeth plant, but they can't open their museum to the public generally because it's a secure plant now a secure area. So they've loaned us things such as this beautiful bronze lion that used to sit on the on the wall as you'd go into Elizabeth, and they've loaned us the first Holding engine ever made, as well as one of the last Holden engines made. So we've really worked in with them and we've got some great interviews with those guys as well.

Yeah, it sounds wonderful. I can just imagine that people who have any link, you know, I mean the petrol heads and that will certainly be there. But it's more than that, isn't it. I Mean Holden was part of the lives of so many South Australians for decades and decades.

Yeah, it sounds wonderful. I can just imagine that people who have any link, you know, I mean the petrol heads and that will certainly be there. But it's more than that, isn't it. I Mean Holden was part of the lives of so many South Australians for decades and decades.

It was, And you're right in that it's not just for car buffs we do. We're having events through the time of the exhibition out now fore Court at the library where car clubs are bringing there cars along, so it might be Manaro's one Saturday, and then two or three weeks later it might be the the FJS. We've got an FJ sitting in our fouryer at the moment, which just drove through the doors, just fitted in beautiful.

It was, And you're right in that it's not just for car buffs we do. We're having events through the time of the exhibition out now fore Court at the library where car clubs are bringing there cars along, so it might be Manaro's one Saturday, and then two or three weeks later it might be the the FJS. We've got an FJ sitting in our fouryer at the moment, which just drove through the doors, just fitted in beautiful.

Yeah, there's nostalgia. I mean I can go back to growing up as a kid and a family across the road who are a lot better off than we were, had two f J Holden's. Wow, two FJ Holdens fantastic. One was yellow and one was gray, and you know they drive off, you know, first thing in the morning, after work and home at night, and we just stand and look and say, wow. I mean it was incredible. It's just these sorts of things sort of live in your memory forever.

Yeah, there's nostalgia. I mean I can go back to growing up as a kid and a family across the road who are a lot better off than we were, had two f J Holden's. Wow, two FJ Holdens fantastic. One was yellow and one was gray, and you know they drive off, you know, first thing in the morning, after work and home at night, and we just stand and look and say, wow. I mean it was incredible. It's just these sorts of things sort of live in your memory forever.

Well. The other thing that lives in your memory too is the sound of the cars as well. You know, they don't sound like modern cars. They just have this beautiful to me anyway, a beautiful tone of when the engine clicks over and off you go. They just sound beautiful.

Well. The other thing that lives in your memory too is the sound of the cars as well. You know, they don't sound like modern cars. They just have this beautiful to me anyway, a beautiful tone of when the engine clicks over and off you go. They just sound beautiful.

The exhibition is on at the moment, When does it go through until.

The exhibition is on at the moment, When does it go through until.

Till June the twenty second. It's in our gallery on the ground floor. You can't miss it. There's signs everywhere. There's a big Holden sign that used to be on the admin block up ait Elizabeth, so it's about two and a half meters wide. You can't miss it on off nor Terrace.

Till June the twenty second. It's in our gallery on the ground floor. You can't miss it. There's signs everywhere. There's a big Holden sign that used to be on the admin block up ait Elizabeth, so it's about two and a half meters wide. You can't miss it on off nor Terrace.

Mark, thanks so much for coming in today. Thank you great appreciate your taking part. That's Mark Gilbert from the State Library about the exhibition called rear Vision the Holden Collection. It's on through until June. And if you have any link or history or feelings about good old Holden Plant, whether it be at Woodville or out at Elizabeth, go along and take a visit. From the text line, my grandfather, Johnny Johns was a big Knobert Holden in the fifties and sixties. My first four cars were Holden's. Good on you, Sue and Andrews says, even though in the US, Trump is talking about the importance of retaining and reintroducing car manufacturing as well as car jobs, the point made by him is that car plants can be utilized in times of conflict when defense manufacturing becomes a priority. I don't think that we will return to manufacturing, but they were wonderful days. Five Double A Mornings with Graham Goodings

Mark, thanks so much for coming in today. Thank you great appreciate your taking part. That's Mark Gilbert from the State Library about the exhibition called rear Vision the Holden Collection. It's on through until June. And if you have any link or history or feelings about good old Holden Plant, whether it be at Woodville or out at Elizabeth, go along and take a visit. From the text line, my grandfather, Johnny Johns was a big Knobert Holden in the fifties and sixties. My first four cars were Holden's. Good on you, Sue and Andrews says, even though in the US, Trump is talking about the importance of retaining and reintroducing car manufacturing as well as car jobs, the point made by him is that car plants can be utilized in times of conflict when defense manufacturing becomes a priority. I don't think that we will return to manufacturing, but they were wonderful days. Five Double A Mornings with Graham Goodings