Media: BOOK - paperback, 272 pages
Editors: Butler Centenary Book Committee
Year: 1995
Other: 110 illustrations, bibliography, index

From the foreword
Having owned property in the Hundred of Butler for ten years it was with pleasure that I received the invitation to write this foreword. Although my association with the district was brief, principally because of a motor vehicle accident, I have been able to view this history book in an objective way; from a distance but at the same time close enough to appreciate the enormous amount of work that the Book Committee has put into this production. The book traces the history from when the area was a sea of mallee, the heartache of the early pioneers, so many of whom came from Bute, the formation of a community known as “Wilbertam”, to the proclamation of the Hundred of Butler Tanks and its more recent development. The book contains a genealogy section with more than 2000 people who have some part in Butler’s history. There are stories of the trials and tribulations of our pioneers and family tree style listings of the ownership of every allotment from proclamation to the present day. As a reference this book is a must for all who have an interest in Butler Tanks.

Some would like to call it a “Work of Art”, others a “History in the Raw”, or as one chapter is titled, Tapestry of Butler. It doesn’t matter what name is given to this work, it is really a work of love, dedication and respect shown to our forefathers who had the vision, the foresight and the fortitude to develop Butler Tanks and its community in a way in which we can all look back with pride and gratitude.

In reflecting on more than a century of history as this book does, one can only hope that the next century will be as productive, as enterprising and above all carry with it the same sense of pride and dedication that was instrumental in Butler’s development. It is now up to the next generation to ensure the district’s continued success.

Peter D. Blacker, JP.
South Australian House of Assembly, Member for Flinders 1973-1993

Contents
Foreword
Sir Richard Butler
Introduction
Acknowledgements

The Butler Tapestry
A Brief Look at the Possible Reasons for Settlement in The Hundred of Butler

The History of the Hundred of Butler
   Through the Decades
   Churches and Butler Hall
   Mails and Communications
   Schools
   Sports
   Groups and Community Activities

Looking Back
Your History as You Remember It. A Collection of Stories Spanning 100 Years

Land Ownership Charts

Butler Family Genealogy 1895-1995
An Alphabetical List of Families including Some Personal Histories

Serving the District
Bibliography
Conversion Table
Genealogy Index
Index of Headings