The series consists of records of interviews and reminiscences of people from Port Augusta, extracts from publications relating to the history of Port Augusta, and the personal history of Lillian Ethel Zanker. The material was gathered together by Mrs Zanker for a book on the history of Port Augusta which was never written. Many of the interviewees were living in the Ramsey Village Retirement home with Mrs Zanker. See below for further details.

Lillian Zanker (nee Jackson) was born on 27 February 1917. She spent her childhood on the Murray River, in Renmark and at Paracombe in the Adelaide Hills. She was the eldest of eight children and left school at the age of 13. Her father worked at sea and later managed the orchard at Paracombe. Lillian worked in gardens and orchards, obtained work in a private home in Unley and then entered hospital training when she was 19. She trained at Angaston, Royal Adelaide and Port Augusta hospitals.

Lillian arrived in Port Augusta in 1940 and married Frank Zanker in 1942. Frank Zanker ran and owned Zanker's Port Augusta Brickyards with his brother Syd.

In these reminiscences Lillian remembers her days training and working at the Port Augusta hospital, and her early married life in Port Augusta with Frank and their children.

Foster, M Commemorating the centenary of the Port Augusta Hospital, 1875-1975 compiled by Sister M. Foster and male nurse Mr. T. Wilby [South Australia?: s.n., 1976?]

Anderson, R. J. Solid town: the history of Port Augusta [Port Augusta, S. Aust.]: R.J. Anderson, 1988