Gawler History - User contributions [en]

Rivers of Gawler

2012-05-26T10:07:45Z

Myaccount:

{{Place
|Places category=Site
|Site type=Natural feature
|Also known as=North Para and South Para
|Street number=
|Street name=
|Street suffix=
|Town or Locality=Gawler
|Geocoordinates=-34.591646408302, 138.75110993541
|Date approximate=No
|Date demolished=
|Date approximate2=No
}}
Gawler is positioned at the junction where the South Para and North Para rivers join to form the Gawler River.

The rivers were the focus for Gawler’s original settlement, a source of its economic growth in its early years and today still shape how the town functions.

Gawler’s town origins stem back to early explorations by Colonel Light in December 1837. Light was searching for a route from Adelaide to the Murray river. He followed Mount Lofty Ranges north and came to natural fords across the South Para and the North Para, close to the junction of the rivers. The area that was bounded by the two rivers and the steep escarpment directly to the east was subsequently surveyed by Colonel Light in early 1839 to lay out the town of Gawler.

Once surveyed the town quickly became settled. With a reliable supply of water the population grew. Gawler became an important commercial centre for the settlers moving north into the new farming areas and later for the copper mining in Kapunda.
Industries were able to use the water supply to drive steam engines and provide the power for their businesses. Engineering and foundry enterprises sprang up providing machinery for a growing population and new rural and town ventures. There were also three flour mills, gas production, a brewery, soap making and a whole range of commercial enterprises. Wells were sunk that tapped into the low water table provided a reliable supply of water for the growing population. Primary production was also important with vegetable gardens, farming and later sand mining that was closely linked to the rivers.

The rivers provided the lifeline for the town.

The story of Gawler and the rivers is also linked to flooding. Being bounded by two major rivers left the town vulnerable. There have been many floods which have left their mark on the town. To cater for the floods many different strategies have been used. From using punts to cross the rivers, to building swing bridges for pedestrians and road and rail bridges for traffic. Over the years most of the bridges have been swept away at some stage. The main solution has been building stronger, higher bridges to get out of the flood levels. Even in modern times though, the floods still do damage including washing away a bridge in 2005 at [[Dead Man's Pass|Dead Man’s Pass.]]

The rivers have also been an important source of recreation for people. From swimming, picnicking, bush walking and for a short period the South Para was dammed for boating. There have been a series of parks and reserves developed on the rivers including Clonlea on the North Para, Parridia Taikondi at the junction of the two rivers, Apex Park close to the centre of town, and [[Dead Man's Pass|Dead Man’s Pass]] on the South Para.

In October 2011 these reserves were linked together with the official opening of Gawler Rivers Path - Tapa Pariara. This path now provides a safe and accessible surface for every one to enjoy the rivers. Their beauty, the many patches of remnant vegetation, and the wildlife.

As well as being valued by some people, the rivers have also been abused and degraded with erosion, weeds, tree removal, pollution from rubbish and stormwater, mining of river flats and filling of areas with tonnes of waste materials

The rivers have provided a life line that runs through the town. Over time their direct importance for people has shifted, but they still shape how the town functions. They affect how people move around and through the town. For some time they have been neglected but now with the new rivers path there is a greater focus with more effort going into restoring river health. It is hoped that over time the rivers will again be restored to prominence and beauty, not as a factor of economic growth, but as an important component and focus that enriches the town.
{{Info
|Related Articles=Dead Man's Pass
|External Links=www.gawler.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Gawler_Bridge_Web.pdf
|Sources=Paul Koch
|FlickrID=7265212494, 7087006213, 6650882545, 7136866129, 7087062997, 6937388688, 6974800006, 6650875943,7120884669,
}}
{{MemoryHeader}}
{{MemoryFooter}}

Rivers of Gawler

2012-05-26T10:07:00Z

Myaccount:

{{Place
|Places category=Site
|Site type=Natural feature
|Also known as=North Para and South Para
|Street number=
|Street name=
|Street suffix=
|Town or Locality=Gawler
|Geocoordinates=-34.591646408302, 138.75110993541
|Date approximate=No
|Date demolished=
|Date approximate2=No
}}
Gawler is positioned at the junction where the South Para and North Para rivers join to form the Gawler River. There are two rivers.

The rivers were the focus for Gawler’s original settlement, a source of its economic growth in its early years and today still shape how the town functions.

Gawler’s town origins stem back to early explorations by Colonel Light in December 1837. Light was searching for a route from Adelaide to the Murray river. He followed Mount Lofty Ranges north and came to natural fords across the South Para and the North Para, close to the junction of the rivers. The area that was bounded by the two rivers and the steep escarpment directly to the east was subsequently surveyed by Colonel Light in early 1839 to lay out the town of Gawler.

Once surveyed the town quickly became settled. With a reliable supply of water the population grew. Gawler became an important commercial centre for the settlers moving north into the new farming areas and later for the copper mining in Kapunda.
Industries were able to use the water supply to drive steam engines and provide the power for their businesses. Engineering and foundry enterprises sprang up providing machinery for a growing population and new rural and town ventures. There were also three flour mills, gas production, a brewery, soap making and a whole range of commercial enterprises. Wells were sunk that tapped into the low water table provided a reliable supply of water for the growing population. Primary production was also important with vegetable gardens, farming and later sand mining that was closely linked to the rivers.

The rivers provided the lifeline for the town.

The story of Gawler and the rivers is also linked to flooding. Being bounded by two major rivers left the town vulnerable. There have been many floods which have left their mark on the town. To cater for the floods many different strategies have been used. From using punts to cross the rivers, to building swing bridges for pedestrians and road and rail bridges for traffic. Over the years most of the bridges have been swept away at some stage. The main solution has been building stronger, higher bridges to get out of the flood levels. Even in modern times though, the floods still do damage including washing away a bridge in 2005 at [[Dead Man's Pass|Dead Man’s Pass.]]

The rivers have also been an important source of recreation for people. From swimming, picnicking, bush walking and for a short period the South Para was dammed for boating. There have been a series of parks and reserves developed on the rivers including Clonlea on the North Para, Parridia Taikondi at the junction of the two rivers, Apex Park close to the centre of town, and [[Dead Man's Pass|Dead Man’s Pass]] on the South Para.

In October 2011 these reserves were linked together with the official opening of Gawler Rivers Path - Tapa Pariara. This path now provides a safe and accessible surface for every one to enjoy the rivers. Their beauty, the many patches of remnant vegetation, and the wildlife.

As well as being valued by some people, the rivers have also been abused and degraded with erosion, weeds, tree removal, pollution from rubbish and stormwater, mining of river flats and filling of areas with tonnes of waste materials

The rivers have provided a life line that runs through the town. Over time their direct importance for people has shifted, but they still shape how the town functions. They affect how people move around and through the town. For some time they have been neglected but now with the new rivers path there is a greater focus with more effort going into restoring river health. It is hoped that over time the rivers will again be restored to prominence and beauty, not as a factor of economic growth, but as an important component and focus that enriches the town.
{{Info
|Related Articles=Dead Man's Pass
|External Links=www.gawler.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Gawler_Bridge_Web.pdf
|Sources=Paul Koch
|FlickrID=7265212494, 7087006213, 6650882545, 7136866129, 7087062997, 6937388688, 6974800006, 6650875943,7120884669,
}}
{{MemoryHeader}}
{{MemoryFooter}}

Rivers of Gawler

2012-05-26T09:20:36Z

Myaccount:

Rivers of Gawler

2012-05-26T09:19:49Z

Myaccount:

{{Place
|Places category=Site
|Site type=Natural feature
|Also known as=North Para and South Para
|Street number=
|Street name=
|Street suffix=
|Town or Locality=Gawler
|Geocoordinates=-34.591646408302, 138.75110993541
|Date approximate=No
|Date demolished=
|Date approximate2=No
}}
Gawler is positioned at the junction where the South Para and North Para rivers join to form the Gawler River. There are two rivers.

The rivers were the focus for Gawler’s original settlement, a source of its economic growth in its early years and today still shape how the town functions.

Gawler’s town origins stem back to early explorations by Colonel Light in December 1837. Light was searching for a route from Adelaide to the Murray river. He followed Mount Lofty Ranges north and came to natural fords across the South Para and the North Para, close to the junction of the rivers. The area that was bounded by the two rivers and the steep escarpment directly to the east was subsequently surveyed by Colonel Light in early 1839 to lay out the town of Gawler.

Once surveyed the town quickly became settled. With a reliable supply of water the population grew. Gawler became an important commercial centre for the settlers moving north into the new farming areas and later for the copper mining in Kapunda.
Industries were able to use the water supply to drive steam engines and provide the power for their businesses. Engineering and foundry enterprises sprang up providing machinery for a growing population and new rural and town ventures. There were also three flour mills, gas production, a brewery, soap making and a whole range of commercial enterprises. Wells were sunk that tapped into the low water table provided a reliable supply of water for the growing population. Primary production was also important with vegetable gardens, farming and later sand mining that was closely linked to the rivers.

The rivers provided the lifeline for the town.

The story of Gawler and the rivers is also linked to flooding. Being bounded by two major rivers left the town vulnerable. There have been many floods which have left their mark on the town. To cater for the floods many different strategies have been used. From using punts to cross the rivers, to building swing bridges for pedestrians and road and rail bridges for traffic. Over the years most of the bridges have been swept away at some stage. The main solution has been building stronger, higher bridges to get out of the flood levels. Even in modern times though, the floods still do damage including washing away a bridge in 2005 at [[Dead Man's Pass|Dead Man’s Pass.]]

The rivers have also been an important source of recreation for people. From swimming, picnicking, bush walking and for a short period the South Para was dammed for boating. There have been a series of parks and reserves developed on the rivers including Clonlea on the North Para, Parridia Taikondi at the junction of the two rivers, Apex Park close to the centre of town, and [[Dead Man's Pass|Dead Man’s Pass]] on the South Para.

In October 2011 these reserves were linked together with the official opening of Gawler Rivers Path - Tapa Pariara. This path now provides a safe and accessible surface for every one to enjoy the rivers. Their beauty, the many patches of remnant vegetation, and the wildlife.

As well as being valued by some people, the rivers have also been abused and degraded with erosion, weeds, tree removal, pollution from rubbish and stormwater, mining of river flats and filling of areas with tonnes of waste materials

The rivers have provided a life line that runs through the town. Over time their direct importance for people has shifted, but they still shape how the town functions. They affect how people move around and through the town. For some time they have been neglected but now with the new rivers path there is a greater focus with more effort going into restoring river health. It is hoped that over time the rivers will again be restored to prominence and beauty, not as a factor of economic growth, but as an important component and focus that enriches the town.
{{Info
|Related Articles=Dead Man's Pass
|External Links=www.gawler.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Gawler_Bridge_Web.pdf
|Sources=Paul Koch
|FlickrID=7265212494, 7087006213, 6650882545, 7136866129, 7087062997, 6937388688, 6974800006, 6650875943,7120884669,
}}
{{MemoryHeader}}
{{MemoryFooter}}

Dawes Dr Home cnr High St Lyndoch Rd

2012-05-26T08:22:53Z

Myaccount:

{{Place
|Places category=Building
|Site type=
|Also known as=Dr. Dawes House
|Street name=Lyndoch
|Street suffix=Road
|Town or Locality=Gawler East
|Geocoordinates=-34.596932, 138.750141
|Date approximate=No
|Date demolished=1974
|Date approximate2=No
}}
The home was originally used by Dr Nott, and to enable anyone to awaken the doctor after hours there was a speaking tube at the front door which led to the doctor's bedhead. If they required attention they could blow into the tube and the whistle in the tube would awaken the doctor. The doctor would then decide whether the emergency was serious enough to warrant him getting out of bed. When Doctor Dawes occupied the house later the use of the speaking tube remained.

The home had four stories, including basement and tower. The basement had a central passage with rooms either side, probably a laundry, ironing room, maids and servants quarters. The surgery at the front of the house included, as well as the normal instruments for patient treatment, a dentist chair and pedal drill.

At the rear of the home were stables where old cars, coaches etc were stored.

The home was demolished in 1974, and has now been replaced by a Fasta Pasta Restaurant.

On the 20th March 1974 Gawler Council approved an application from Woolworths to build a Supermarket on the site.

On 4th December 1974 a decision not to build was made by Woolworths.

For more photos of Dr. Dawes Home, please click [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gawler_history/sets/72157629020626807/ here.]
{{Info
|Related Articles=Doctor Dawes,
|Sources=Gawler Sketchbook 1973 Rigby ISBN 0 85179 605 2, Recollections by Glen Curnow 2nd May 2012
|FlickrID=6758235861,6758241007,6758241821,6758236911,6799941437
}}
{{MemoryHeader}}
{{MemoryFooter}}

Doctor Dawes Home

2012-05-26T08:22:53Z

Myaccount:

Dawes Dr Home cnr High St Lyndoch Rd

2012-05-26T08:22:15Z

Myaccount:

{{Place
|Places category=Building
|Site type=
|Also known as=Dr. Dawes House
|Street name=Lyndoch
|Street suffix=Road
|Town or Locality=Gawler East
|Geocoordinates=-34.596932, 138.750141
|Date approximate=No
|Date demolished=1974
|Date approximate2=No
|Built by=Bright, Henry Edward Junior
}}
The home was originally used by Dr Nott, and to enable anyone to awaken the doctor after hours there was a speaking tube at the front door which led to the doctor's bedhead. If they required attention they could blow into the tube and the whistle in the tube would awaken the doctor. The doctor would then decide whether the emergency was serious enough to warrant him getting out of bed. When Doctor Dawes occupied the house later the use of the speaking tube remained.

The home had four stories, including basement and tower. The basement had a central passage with rooms either side, probably a laundry, ironing room, maids and servants quarters. The surgery at the front of the house included, as well as the normal instruments for patient treatment, a dentist chair and pedal drill.

At the rear of the home were stables where old cars, coaches etc were stored.

The home was demolished in 1974, and has now been replaced by a Fasta Pasta Restaurant.

On the 20th March 1974 Gawler Council approved an application from Woolworths to build a Supermarket on the site.

On 4th December 1974 a decision not to build was made by Woolworths.

For more photos of Dr. Dawes Home, please click [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gawler_history/sets/72157629020626807/ here.]
{{Info
|Related Articles=Doctor Dawes,
|Sources=Gawler Sketchbook 1973 Rigby ISBN 0 85179 605 2, Recollections by Glen Curnow 2nd May 2012
|FlickrID=6758235861,6758241007,6758241821,6758236911,6799941437
}}
{{MemoryHeader}}
{{MemoryFooter}}

Doctor Dawes Home

2012-05-26T08:22:15Z

Myaccount:

{{Place
|Places category=Building
|Site type=
|Also known as=Dr. Dawes House
|Street name=Lyndoch
|Street suffix=Road
|Town or Locality=Gawler East
|Geocoordinates=-34.596932, 138.750141
|Date approximate=No
|Date demolished=1974
|Date approximate2=No
|Built by=Bright, Henry Edward Junior
}}
The home was originally used by Dr Nott, and to enable anyone to awaken the doctor after hours there was a speaking tube at the front door which led to the doctor's bedhead. If they required attention they could blow into the tube and the whistle in the tube would awaken the doctor. The doctor would then decide whether the emergency was serious enough to warrant him getting out of bed. When Doctor Dawes occupied the house later the use of the speaking tube remained.

The home had four stories, including basement and tower. The basement had a central passage with rooms either side, probably a laundry, ironing room, maids and servants quarters. The surgery at the front of the house included, as well as the normal instruments for patient treatment, a dentist chair and pedal drill.

At the rear of the home were stables where old cars, coaches etc were stored.

The home was demolished in 1974, and has now been replaced by a Fasta Pasta Restaurant.

On the 20th March 1974 Gawler Council approved an application from Woolworths to build a Supermarket on the site.

On 4th December 1974 a decision not to build was made by Woolworths.

For more photos of Dr. Dawes Home, please click [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gawler_history/sets/72157629020626807/ here.]
{{Info
|Related Articles=Doctor Dawes,
|Sources=Gawler Sketchbook 1973 Rigby ISBN 0 85179 605 2, Recollections by Glen Curnow 2nd May 2012
|FlickrID=6758235861,6758241007,6758241821,6758236911,6799941437
}}
{{MemoryHeader}}
{{MemoryFooter}}