Long-time Millicent resident Lenny Gollan has lived almost 79 years in this region but has only recently had close contact with a juvenile pelican.


Also known as “Jacko”, he spent his formative years on The Coorong where the adult pelicans were plentiful.


A sole juvenile example was sighted by Mr Gollan and his wife Lisa when they were driving along the Princes Highway between Meningie and Salt Creek.


“We contacted a licensed Aboriginal Wildlife carer and she took care of it,” Ms Gollan said.


“We do not know how it came to be on the Princes Highway.


“Perhaps, it was blown over this way in that big storm before Christmas.”


Mr Gollan is a member of the Stolen Generation as he was taken from his family at Raukkan (Point McLeay) and sent to live with a European family at Beachport.


At the time, he was nine years of age and the eldest child.


Mr Gollan was not allowed to go to school and was forced to work in the family business until the age of 18.


In his adult life, he drove trucks and retired from this role at Wattle Range Council at the age of 68.


From time-to-time, the Gollans visit Raukkan where he was born in 1945.


He was born on the same day as his uncle Lindsay Wilson who was a prominent Millicent resident until his death almost 30 years ago.