Across the Penola and Coonawarra region, history is written into the land as much as it is recorded on paper. Doug Balnaves shares the first of a series of historical reflections and research that bring these stories back into focus -tracing the early settlers, the development of the district, and the people and events that helped shape one of Australia’s most distinctive wine regions. Doug’s first article is Petticoat Lane.

Petticoat Lane is the oldest street in Penola and an important part of the Penola Branch of the National Trust of South Australia’s work to preserve the pioneer history of the region. The first European settlers arrived in the Penola district in the mid-1840s, and the township of Penola was established in 1850.

On entering Petticoat Lane from Portland Street, visitors will find the Woods-MacKillop Schoolhouse. This building was commissioned by Father Julian Tenison Woods in 1866, who arranged a bank loan with five parishioners as guarantors. It was built by local builder James Stark at a cost of £290. On completion, Mary MacKillop opened her first schoolhouse in the new building. The new Mary MacKillop Memorial School was opened in 1936.

Adjoining the Woods-MacKillop Schoolhouse is the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre, a fascinating visit for those interested in the religious history of both Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods. It also provides an excellent and well-presented record of the history of Penola. Nearby St Joseph’s Church features a shrine to Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint.

The next historic cottage in the lane is Gammon Cottage, built in 1869. This four-bedroom stone cottage features flat steel roof tiles, commonly used in the 19th century. It was owned by the Gammon family until 1961 and is now owned by the Penola National Trust, with plans for its full restoration.

Petticoat Lane is also the site of Sharam Cottage, the first dwelling built in the township in 1850. Christopher Sharam, aged 29, a bootmaker from Limestone Station, married Ellen Patching, aged 15, from nearby Glenroy Station, and they moved into the two-bedroom house in 1850. The two-roomed slab cottage was added in 1861 to accommodate their growing family, which eventually included ten children. The cottages, now owned by the Penola National Trust, are open to the public daily, free of charge.

Opposite Sharam Cottage is Davidson Cottage, the original rectory occupied by the Anglican Church between 1889 and 1895. For many years it served as a stable, but it has now been fully restored. Purchased by the Penola National Trust in 1961, it is tastefully furnished and leased as bed and breakfast accommodation.

William Wilson’s Cottage is another important part of Petticoat Lane’s story. Like many early pioneers of the Penola district, William Wilson emigrated from Cupar, Scotland, arriving with his wife Agnes at Port Adelaide in 1850. He obtained work as a shepherd at nearby Killanoola Station.

In the late 1850s, Wilson joined the many gold seekers travelling to the Victorian goldfields. He carried his belongings by loading them into a wheelbarrow and pushing it all the way to Victoria. He and his mate were quite successful, but after a farewell evening, Wilson awoke to find both his mate and his gold had disappeared. He stayed at the goldfields for another six months, found more gold, and pushed his wheelbarrow back to Penola.

On his return, Wilson established a garden in Petticoat Lane, planting fruit trees, vegetables and vines in the unique terra rossa soil. His garden became well known throughout the South East of South Australia. Wilson’s legacy lives on, with numerous descendants still living in the district. William Wilson’s Cottage is owned by the Penola National Trust and leased as bed and breakfast accommodation.

William Wilson’s contribution to Penola’s history is now recognised through the awarding of the William Wilson Trophy at the annual Coonawarra Tomato Competition. It was a great thrill for Doug Balnaves, a great-great-grandson of William Wilson, to be awarded the William Wilson Trophy at the 2026 Tomato Competition.

The Balnaves and Redman families, both descendants of William Wilson, have also produced a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend from their respective wineries. The bottled wine proudly bears the name William Wilson.