'The Meat Game' tells the fascinating story of the Gepps Cross abattoirs and
saleyard complex from its utopian concept and development through to its years
of growth and operation to its eventual ruin, a victim of competing interests.
The Gepps Cross meatworks was, in its heyday, the largest single government
employer in South Australia and yet there was now a time in its 90 year history
when it was free from difficulties whether external - such as those brought on
through drought, depression or war - or internal such as industrial struggles,
government inquiries and commercial tensions.
The abundantly illustrated book brings to life the stores of ordinary and
extraordinary people who shaped and were shaped by the abattoirs. A
comprehensive history brought together for the first time, including first-hand
accounts and previously unpublished photographs, together with information on
dealers and agents, 'The Meat Game' is for anyone connected with the industry or
would like to know more about this South Australian industry.
Contents:
Nomenclature: Money and Measurements, A Note on Spelling and Word Usage
Introduction
Author's Note: Aboriginal Inhabitants
Maps
Part 1: A History
1. Pastoral History
2. The First Overlanders
3. The First Agents
4. Adelaide Slaughterhouse and Market
5. A Public Abattoirs for Adelaide and Suburbs
6. Stock Paddocks to Suburbia
7. The Abattoirs Opens for Business
8. Last and First Markets
9. A Royal Commission
10. Port Adelaide Works to MEAB
Part 2: The Abattoirs at Work
11. Abattoirs Life
12. Hard Times: The War Years and the Depression
13. A Change in Monopoly
14. Trade Unions
15. Women's Work
16. The Slaughter Halls
17. Different Abattoirs Departments
18. Meat Exports and Inspection
19. Tragedy and Comedy
Part 3: The Livestock Markers
20. First Years of the Building
21. Market Changes
22. Cattle Market and the Pressure to Relocate
23. Bringing Home the Baconer
24. Sheep Market
25. Restricted Yards and Expanding Markets, The BTEC Program
26. Lord of the Ring
27. The Stock Salesmen's Association
28. Liveweight Selling
29. To Market to Market: Livestock Transport
Part 4: The SAMCOR Years 1972-2002
30. A New Corporation: SAMCOR
31. Trimming the Fat: SAMCOR Consolidates
32. The Kill: SAMCOR's Demise
33. Selling Up the Saleyard of the Century
34. Dublin Saleyard Become a Reality
Appendix 1: Year by Year
Appendix 2: Barons of Beef
Appendix 3: Livestock Dealers
Appendix 4: Stock Agents at Gepps Cross
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index
