Port Elliot Council Chamber Floor Replacement
Works to replace the timber flooring within the Port Elliot Chamber began in early July 2025 and were completed in September. The Chamber was treated for termites, the subfloor was repaired with reclaimed Jarrah, and the floorboards were replaced with old Baltic pine boards salvaged from an old home that was being demolished. Structural repairs were also undertaken along with the painting of trims and skirtings and other finishings.
Image: Heritage-listed Port Elliot Council Chamber on The Strand. The bronze bust is of local identity Joe Barton.
A time capsule uncovered under the floor during the works was returned. Council contractors had located a sealed piece of poly pipe containing Council-related memorabilia spanning 60 years.
Back in 1965, when the floors of the chamber were being replaced, the then District Clerk of District Council of Port Elliot, the late Mr Reginald (Reg) Bristow-Smith wrote a letter and placed it with a nib pen in a glass bottle under the floor.
The bottle was discovered 30 years later (when the floor was replaced) by staff at the then-named District Council of Port Elliot and Goolwa. In turn, they placed the bottle and its contents and added their Council-related memorabilia inside a sealed poly pipe and placed it under the floor.
Fast-forward to 2025 - when the termite-damaged floor was being replaced - the ‘time capsule’ is located again. Council has now returned the ‘time capsule’ back under the floor, with some additional Council memorabilia, including a list of current Council Members.
Image: Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes with Council’s Manager Projects and Design, Lee Graham, with the time capsule before it was returned under the floorboards.