In an extraordinary turn of events, a 1726 Bible that once belonged to one of South Australia’s founding figures, George Fife Angas, has found its way into the Parliamentary Library. But how did this historical item land in the hands of the Australian Red Cross? The story begins with a simple donation at the Mount Barker Red Cross op shop.
The Bible was in a bag of donations that came into the store. The Red Cross is a secular organisation, so religious texts like a Bible can’t be sold. As a result, the staff placed it aside in the storeroom, unaware of the treasure it contained.
It wasn’t until a few weeks later, when the store manager was sorting through the items, that the significance of the Bible became clear. The handwritten annotations, dating back to 1868, was a strong indication of its historic value.
Brooke Sclater, Merchandise and Distribution Centres Manager at Australian Red Cross, explains, “when the staff in Mount Barker realised what they had, they knew they had to get it to the right place.”
The team at Red Cross then contacted Cressida O’Hanlon MP, who quickly facilitated a connection with the Parliamentary Library to ensure the Bible found its new home.
Locals in Mount Barker were thrilled to learn that the Bible, once tucked away in their community, would now be part of the Parliamentary Library’s collection.
“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Brooke.
“People are amazed that something so rare and important was found in a place like Mount Barker. It’s a great story for the town.”
The Red Cross staff, although not actively seeking out historical donations, have a system in place for recognising items of significance.
“We carefully sort every donation, and if something stands out, whether it’s antique, historical, or of cultural value, we take steps to ensure it’s handled correctly,” Brooke explains.
If you happen to have something similar—an item with historical significance or cultural value—don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Red Cross team.
This 1726 Bible serves as a reminder that treasures can come from unexpected places, even at the bottom of a donation bag at your local op shop.
Australian Red Cross
Email: [email protected]
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