Catherine Helen Spence

“My brothers went to the parish school, one of the best in the county.”

“The Town Clerkship, however, was the means of giving me a lesson in electoral methods.”

“As we grew to love South Australia, we felt that we were in an expanding society, still feeling the bond to the motherland, but eager to develop a perfect society, in the land of our adoption.”

“Nothing is insignificant in the history of a young community, and - above all - nothing seems impossible.”

“A glass of whisky in Scotland in the thirties cost less than a cup of tea.”

“I think I was well brought up, for my father and mother were of one mind regarding the care of the family.”

“I had only two offers of marriage in my life, and I refused both.”

“I look back to a happy childhood.”

“South Australia was the first community to give the secret ballot for political elections.”

“The first issue of The Register was printed in London, and gave a glowing account of the province that was to be - its climate, its resources, the sound principles on which it was founded.”

“Probably my mother's life was prolonged beyond that of a long-lived family by her coming to Australia in middle life; and if I ever had any tendency to consumption, the climate must have helped me.”

“I had learned what wealth was, and a great deal about production and exchange for myself in the early history of South Australia - of the value of machinery, of roads and bridges, and of ports for transport and export.”

“My pamphlet did not set the Torrens on fire.”

“Even before the discovery of copper South Australia had turned the corner.”

“I count myself well educated, for the admirable woman at the head of the school which I attended from the age of four and a half till I was thirteen and a half, was a born teacher in advance of her own times.”

“My return to London introduced me to a wider range of society.”

“After the break up of the municipality and the loss of his income my father lost health and spirits.”

“Our South Australian farmers left their holdings in the hands of their wives and children too young to take with them, but almost all of them returned to grow grain and produce to send to Victoria.”

“Drinking habits were very prevalent among men, and were not in any way disgraceful, unless excessive.”

“I had seen Adelaide the dearest and the cheapest place to live in.”