Haunted Playford

The City of Playford is a relatively new area, but within the city are many older suburbs such as Smithfield, Angle Vale, One Tree Hill and Uleybury. Within these older towns lie some of the area's most haunted locations.

Join paranormal historian Allen Tiller as he investigates ghosts, hauntings and monsters in the City of Playford. Learn about Di Klose and the infamous Bikini Ghost of Elizabeth, or about the ghost of a cat that haunts a former schoolhouse. Haunted Playford unlocks old and new true ghost stories from around the greater City of Playford area.

REVIEW:

I recently came across Haunted Playford and was immediately intrigued by its unique focus on the supernatural history within one of Australia’s youngest cities. The blend of urban modernity and age-old hauntings creates a fascinating contrast, reminding readers that even new places can hold ancient echoes and restless spirits beneath their surface.

Your storytelling doesn’t just catalogue ghost tales; it roots them in local lore, giving each haunting a human heartbeat. From the Bikini Ghost of Elizabeth to the spectral cat of a former schoolhouse, Haunted Playford paints a vivid map of mysteries where everyday streets conceal stories of tragedy, wonder, and the unexplained. It’s the kind of book that captures both the devoted paranormal enthusiast and the curious history buff looking for that eerie spark of the unknown.

-Elena

Haunted Playford: https://www.amazon.com.au/Haunted-Playford-Allen-Tiller/dp/B0FWCCRR4N?

 Hallowe’en in Gawler.

 

   In 1894, the Gawler Branch of the South Australian Caledonian Society held its Hallowe’en function in Gawler’s Town Hall. Over 100 people were present, with proceedings opened by a bagpipe recital by honorary Gawler pipers, D. Garland and J Harris.
 The Gawler Chief of the society, Professor Lowrie, made an opening speech before the dance floor was opened to the crowd. Several Scottish country dances were engaged in, before pianoforte recitals by Misses McDonald and Barnet were performed. Scottish pies and short breads were served to the crowd, who danced late into the following morning. Before the gathered guests departed, they broke into a raucous version of Auld Lang Syne.[1]

 

  In 1954, the Gawler Caledonian Society celebrated Hallowe’en at the Gawler South Hall. In attendance were Norman and Mrs Campbell, Chief of the Royal Caledonian Society, Gawler Mayor Mr E.C. Goodger and acting Mayoress, Mrs E.H. Lawrence, the Chairman of the Mudla Wirra District Council, Mr and Mrs R.L. Haydon and Mr C Martin.
 The hall was decorated with black cats, witches, ghosts and other traditional Hallowe’en decorations. The Royal Caledonian Pipe Band played for the gathered guests, and Miss Heather McIntosh gave a demonstration of dance. Songs were then presented by Mr Sandy McDougal, Mrs P Beveridge, Miss Shirley Davidson, Walter Ried, Ron Tuckwell and Steve Cho.
Games were played, with ‘dookin’ for apples’ causing great amusement among the crowd. ‘Bun on a string’ was also a crowd favourite.[2]

 Mr Hedley Thomas filmed the event, and it is for this reason I am writing this post – if anyone knows where that footage might be, please let me know, as it would be a worthy contribution to the Gawler Heritage Centre's collection!

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'S. A. Caledonian Society.', Bunyip, (2 November 1894), p. 2.

[2] 'Pipers Present at Gawler Hallowe'en.', Bunyip, (29 October 1954), p. 1.

Beware of the Spirits

 In 1936, Adelaide newspaper News printed an article titled Beware of the Spirits, which detailed an old custom from Scotland and Ireland used during Hallowe’en. The ritual was to be done by young ladies to tell if their partners were faithful.

 

Three nuts were placed upon the bars of a grate, each being named after the lovers. If a nut cracked or jumped, the lover whose name was written on it would prove unfaithful; if the nut began to split or burn, the lover had regard for the person making the trial; if the nuts were named after the girl and a lover burned together, they would marry.[1]

 The ritual is a relic of pagan beliefs and is done only when the curtain between the spirit world and ours is open – Hallowe’en.

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[1] 'Passing By', News, (29 October 1936), p. 10. 

Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.

 Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.

On the 14^th of May 1901, the body of Bridget Dunn was found in Anderson’s Creek. The creek, near the property of Lambert Christie, had about 18 inches of water in it. Dunn’s legs were tied together, and her hands fastened behind her back, an obvious murder.[1]

 Bridget Dunn was a servant of Mr Lambert and Rosa Christie. She had been in the employ of the Christies for 3 and half years. Lambert Christie was born on Kangaroo Island in 1858. With his father, he operated the Kangaroo Island mail service. In 1895, Lambert purchased land surrounding Dalebrook Homestead.[2] Lambert was a member of the Morphett Vale District Council and served as Chairperson from 1904 until 1909. He laid the foundation stone for the Morphet Vale Institute extension in William Street, Morphett Vale in 1928. The farm was sold in 1932, and the land south of what is now Christie's Creek was subdivided and named Christie's Beach.[3]

Bridget Dunn was described as a cheerful young lady. In early May 1901, she visited a psychic and had her fortune told. After that time Bridget’s demeanour changed, and she became morose and low-spirited. Bridget was questioned on her noticeable change of temperament, and replied, "You don't know what the fortune-teller told me." [4]

Governess of the Christie house, Miss Naughton, last saw Dunn at 9:30 am on Wednesday. She was not reported missing until noon that day when her neglect of her usual duties was noticed. A search was conducted, and Mr O.R. Milway found her body in the creek under the bridge.
 

During an inquest, evidence was submitted that Dunn had been acting irrationally the morning of her death. She had reportedly made a fire outside and burned books, papers and old clothing. Dunn had mentioned suicide but in a joking way. The jury brought in the following verdict:  "That deceased came to her death by drowning herself while in a temporary fit of insanity, which was brought on by a hallucination after seeing a fortune-teller."[5]

  It seems to me, highly unlikely that Bridget Dunn committed suicide. How would she tie her hands behind her back before drowning herself? If she was going to take her own lie, other, easier means would have been readily available on a farm in 1901. It seems to me, and this is just my personal opinion, that someone killed Bridget Dunn, and we may never know the reason why!

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025.

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[1] 'A Determined Suicide.', Chronicle. (25 May 1901), p. 16.

[2] ‘History of Christies Beach,’ Professionals Christies Beach, (2013), https://christiesbeachprofessionals.com.au/2013/09/history-of-christies-beach/.

[3] Bruce Swann, ‘Christies Homestead: Treasures Wall Exhibit,’ State Library of South Australia, (2009), https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/595.

[4] 'After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.', The Daily Telegraph, (20 May 1901), p. 6.

[5] 'Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.', Sunday Times, (26 May 1901), p. 8.