How two little pennies left in concrete strengthened one man’s connection to his home town

At a gallery in Waikerie, South Australia, two little pieces of history are hidden away from the public eye — unless you know where to look. 

Local community member Ralph Ohlmeyer tells the story of his two pennies sitting in concrete just below a back door for 66 years to anyone who will stop and listen.

What was initially done for fun has turned into a fond memory for Mr Ohlmeyer and a stronger connection to the town he intends to die in.

According to a historical curator, Mr Ohlmeyer will not be the last to leave a physical reminder behind for the future.

Pennies from a pocket into solid history

While coy about his specific age then and now, Mr Ohlmeyer left high school in 1956 and the following year started work at what was the irrigation branch of the Lands Department.

“Things were done the old way. We used an irrigation gang … to get them to lay the concrete around the building,” he says.

“When they’d finished their job I said to the district clerk, ‘I reckon we should leave our mark here when this is done.’

“So I rummaged around in my pocket, and found a couple of pennies.

“I’m not one of those who scratches their name and puts the date on fresh concrete, but I do push pennies into it.”

A different kind of value

The old building is now occupied by the Rain Moth Gallery, and the two pennies from 1957 and 1958 are still there.

The pennies are not of particular value now, except to Mr Ohlmeyer who says they are his “investment” in the building.

“I must tell everyone they’re not 1930 pennies, just in case someone thinks they can chisel them out,” he says.

“It’s a bit of fun. Often if I’m walking up the street with someone I’ll say, ‘Come and have a look at this.’

“It’s a form of vandalism, but it’s historic and I like history.”

History Trust of South Australia curatorial manager Adam Paterson says human beings have left their mark for thousands of years.

“We can find evidence of people leaving their mark through art or other forms of drawing and expression throughout the world,” Dr Paterson says.

In the Northern Territory, the Chambers Pillar has been illegally modified by people adding their names to the bottom, while in Adelaide an art piece in Rundle Street used coins in paving to acknowledge cultural diversity.

Dr Paterson says connection to a community or an important place or connecting with other people are plausible reasons people leave physical reminders behind.

“Sometimes it might be something a little bit more playful and serendipitous,” he says.

“But there’s certainly something about trying to leave an enduring mark that’s behind this sort of activity.”

Lasting memory and impact

Mr Ohlmeyer says the building holding onto the pennies has left its mark on him too.

“I sat in front of the window, so I saw everyone coming and going up the street.”

“It was probably the highlight of my working life, working in Waikerie.”

He says he will never leave the regional town, and hopes the same for his pennies.

“While I’ve got a brain I’m staying in Waikerie,” Mr Ohlmeyer says.

“It’ll be good to leave [the pennies] there for another 100 years, that’s what I hope.”