08/05/2026
Who's heading to the wonderful exhibition that will be officially launched tomorrow night at 7pm at Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum as part of SA History Month? It features a unique collection of personal items from the amazing life of Charles Percival Elliott Perryman (1887-1948).
The eldest of eight Perryman children, Charles went to school in Port MacDonnell. His World War 1 Defence Force service in the Army
and Navy took him to Gallipoli, the Western Front and the Pacific. He studied art techniques in London, was a lighthouse keeper for 20 years in SA coastal stations including Kingston and Port MacDonnell, and even resided in ‘Dingley Dell’ for a short time.
He married beautiful Ivy Karran of Glenelg, who sadly died two years later. Without descendants, his paintings, artworks and writings were seemingly scattered - some were found in local homes, and an
etching is in the National Art Gallery in Canberra. Meanwhile, his exquisite small war sketchbook has been loaned to the Maritime Museum by a private collector in Sydney, for the month of May!
This exhibition is truly special ⚓️
Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum Committee are proud to announce their participation in South Australia's History Festival 1- 31May 2026. The extraordinary life of Charles Elliott Perryman will be celebrated at a Special Event at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex on May 9th. If you are not able to make it on the night a Museum Exhibit 'The Forgotten Artist and Poet of Port MacDonnell' will be on display in the Museum during the month of May.
Event supported by District Council of Grant. Bookings essential.
