A recent social media video created by a volunteer affiliated with the National Trust of South Australia (NTSA) has sparked significant outrage within the Moonta community. The controversial clip, filmed at the historic Moonta Mines Heritage Precinct's School of Mines, has intensified an already simmering dispute between the state heritage body and local heritage advocates.

The now-deleted video, which surfaced last week, depicted an individual removing “no photo” signs within the historic School of Mines building. Accompanying text on the social media reel read: “Sex is great, but have you ever experienced the euphoria of ripping down every single no photo sign in a stuffy museum?” This analogy is a widely recognised internet meme used to express extreme praise. The post was further captioned: “If [the signs] weren’t laminated, I’d have burned them!” The video’s creator also added a comment, stating, “I'm officially not tolerating intimidation or harassment from gatekeeping septuagenarians and their vigilantes any more!”

Upon learning of the video, the NTSA swiftly addressed the matter. In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed that the Trust "spoke directly with the volunteer involved." The volunteer has since acknowledged their actions as "inappropriate" and undertaken "without the authorisation and knowledge of the Trust." The NTSA confirmed that the individual has apologised, expressing that it was not their intent to cause any offence, and the video has since been removed from the platform.

Community Backlash Ignites Deeper Tensions

Before its removal, the video was widely shared on local community Facebook pages, drawing widespread condemnation and a furious response from residents and former volunteers alike. Many saw the act as a profound disrespect for the heritage site and the dedication of those who have worked tirelessly to preserve it.

This incident is the latest flashpoint in ongoing tensions that have gripped the Yorke Peninsula community since February. The NTSA, which oversees numerous heritage properties across the state, disbanded Moonta’s local governing committee earlier this year, citing alleged work health and safety breaches. This move led the NTSA to assume direct management of the precinct.

However, members of the disbanded committee vehemently dispute these accusations, claiming they are exaggerated and that they were denied procedural fairness. They have since launched Supreme Court action seeking their reinstatement. The controversy has escalated to such an extent that the NTSA is now slated to face a parliamentary inquiry, prompted by a campaign from the suspended local leadership, to scrutinise its capacity to responsibly manage its portfolio of over 80 historical properties.

Our journalists understand that a significant majority of the more than 100 local volunteers are currently boycotting the organisation, protesting the recent management decisions and perceived disregard for local expertise.

Disrespect for Heritage and Dedicated Volunteers

Robyn Knight, a local historian and former volunteer at the School of Mines before her suspension, expressed deep dismay over the video. “What really got up my nose was the disrespect for the venue and for the work that we have been doing there,” Ms Knight stated. She highlighted the immense historical value housed within the building, including over 6,500 historical documents dating back to 1861, encompassing photographs, land titles, and ledgers vital for research. The site also safeguards original drawings and journals by early 20th-century newspaper cartoonist Oswald Pryor, a Moonta native.

“They have a responsibility of taking care of the building and they're describing it as a 'stuffy museum' when they're supposed to be promoting it,” Ms Knight added, underscoring the perceived hypocrisy.

Fellow volunteer Pam Chapman also weighed in on the remarks. She explained that the “no photo” rules are designed to protect fragile documents from potential degradation caused by flash photography, even though most are stored securely. “The stuffiness may refer to the fact there aren't any buttons you can push and make things operate… but that's a point of ignorance where people don't actually know what that place is about,” Ms Chapman commented.

Regarding the “gatekeeping septuagenarian” insult, Ms Chapman found it deeply unfair. “As for being a 'gatekeeping septuagenarian', that's just such a statement without knowing the people… a lot of us are in our 70s but I think we keep abreast of new ideas.”

Amidst the furore, the NTSA maintains its commitment to heritage preservation. The Trust affirmed it is “regularly examining archival material stored at the School of Mines site” and has engaged a stonemason to address minor damage to the building’s facade caused by birds. “The NTSA remains focused on our role of protecting, managing, and promoting the state's natural, built, and cultural heritage,” the spokesperson concluded, as the community awaits further developments in this unfolding saga.