12 February 1986    Mortlock Library and the Mortlock family

The Mortlock Library of South Australiana was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Donald Dunstan, on 12 February 1986. Formerly known as the Jervois Wing, the building was first opened in December 1884, after many delays and controversy over the design and the state of the foundations. 

In 1984 the building underwent a major refurbishment through the generosity of J.A.T. Mortlock who left a large bequest to the State Library. The building is one of the best examples of a typical mid-Victorian library left in Australia. The three storey high central chamber has two balconies with wrought iron balustrades which overlook the main chamber and reading bays furnished with mahogany tables and chairs. The building won the Award of Merit in 1987 for the restoration.

The Mortlock family were established in South Australia when William Mortlock arrived in the colony in 1843. In 1847 William undertook his first pastoral venture near Port Lincoln, which, with additions, eventually became Yalluna station. In 1850, in Port Lincoln, he married Margaret, the 18 year-old daughter of John Tennant, another pastoral pioneer. In the 1860s he greatly extended his holdings to include Pichi Richi, Mount Arden and Yudnapinna leases. He represented Flinders in the House of Assembly for various terms from 1868-1884. He died at Avenel House, Medindie on 10 May 1884. His son, William inherited his estates and later bought Martindale Hall from Edmund Bowman. The Mortlock family are also remembered for their generous bequests to the Waite Research Institute.

Susan Marsden, Paul Stark, Patricia Sumerling (eds), Heritage of the City of Adelaide, Corporation of the City of Adelaide, 1990,
 pp. 262-263.
The Advertiser, 27 April 1984, p. 3.
Restoration of Mortlock Library, Danvers Architects, SLSA.
Douglas Pike (ed), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5,
pp. 301-302.