Humbug Society in Gawler
| Type of organisation: | Community Service
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| Date established: | 1863
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Gawler has a unique relationship with "humbug"—a term that in the 1800s meant a deliberate hoax or playful deception. The town was famous for the Gawler Humbug Society, a group of "intellectual pranksters" who turned local journalism into an art form.
The Gawler Humbug Society (1863)
The society was founded by a group of local luminaries, including Dr. George Nott and printed by William Barnet (Publisher of the first newsletter of the Society in 1863), who were tired of the "stuffy" and "self-important" nature of other colonial clubs. They created a fraternity dedicated to satire, where the primary goal was to mock anything that took itself too seriously.
The "Rules" of Humbug
The society’s bylaws were a masterpiece of 19th-century irony. Some of the original rules included:
- The Ginger Beer Oath: New members had to swear an affidavit on an empty ginger beer bottle, chosen because the bottle was "full of froth and fourpence"—the perfect symbol of a "humbug."
- The Night-cap of Dignity: Official meetings featured officers with titles like the Arch Flam, the Bouncible Bam, and the Surprising Sham. The Surprising Sham was required to wear a night-cap during proceedings.
- The M.P. Punishment: Rule #10 stated that any member caught acting like a "snob" or "murdering the Queen’s English" would be expelled and, as a mark of supreme contempt, forced to run for Parliament.
- Head Scratching: Members had to keep their hats on at all times. Removing one's hat was considered "contempt" unless it was for the "legitimate purpose of scratching one’s head."
The First Issue Libel Scandal
When the society founded The Bunyip in 1863, they didn't wait long to stir the pot. The very first issue contained a scathing satirical piece about a local doctor, Home Popham, who had been "boasting" in rival newspapers about his new hospital.
Dr. Popham was not amused and sued William Barnet for libel. The court case became a local circus:
- The defence argued that the article was clearly "humbug" and shouldn't be taken seriously.
- The jury agreed the article was libelous but clearly found the whole situation ridiculous.
- They awarded Dr. Popham damages of exactly one shilling (about 10 cents today). It was a moral victory for the doctor, but a massive publicity win for the Humbug Society.
Please click here to view photos of Gawler Humbug Society.
Please <click here> to view slides presented by John Barnet regarding the Humbug Society in Gawler.
Please <click here> to read " The Bunyip Celebrates 157 Years" published 14 October 2020.
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