Leigh Creek Old Town was built on a treeless tableland of heavy reddish boulder clay covered with ironstone gibbers. With variable annual rainfall it was evident from the beginning that conditions growing trees and gardens were not promising. It is believed that an Athel Tamarisk was the first tree planted in Leigh Creek on 20 June 1944, by Mr H P Moss. At around that time, after researching what surrounding pastoralists were growing in their station gardens, a number of tree seedlings were sourced from New South Wales. By 1946, with severe drought and salty water from Sliding Rock, very few of these seedlings still survived. After this initial setback, advice was sought from a number of sources including Mr Noel Lothian, the Director of Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens. By 1954 a large-scale gardening and tree planting project was underway and Noel suggested a gardening competition. Generous prize money, put up by ETSA, encouraged more gardens to be established - with manure even being carted from the stables at Copley. Noel was the official judge of the competition and remarked that the Leigh Creek gardens lost nothing in comparison with those in the city. Noel continued his role as Judge of the annual Leigh Creek Garden Competition through until 1978, by when it was apparent that the town was on the move and many gardens were abandoned.

Adelect December 1953 (ETSA Museum)

Noel Lothian in 1957 (Lothian Family) Director Adelaide botanic garden

Noel Lothian in 1957 (Lothian Family)
Director Adelaide botanic garden

This collection of photographs formed part of Noel Lothian’s personal record of the development of civic and private gardens in Leigh Creek during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He made a significant contribution to the beautification of Leigh Creek - an important factor in a town many remember fondly as home.

1950s

1960s

1970s

Noel Lothian’s photograph album is now preserved as part of the ETSA Museum collection.