McKinlay John
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Scotland |
| Date of arrival | 1836 |
| Principal occupation | Explorer |
| Date of death | 1872 |
| Significant places | Trevu House, |
please <Click here> for information related to John McKinlay; compiled by Anne Richards.
Please <click here> to read a reference to John McKinlay on page 10 of Gawler's Cemeteries, researched by Anne Richards.
Please click here to see more photos about John McKinlay
Please <click here> to read C.L. Alexander's (now out of copyright) publication: "John McKinlay,Explorer, 1819 -1872."
George E. Loyau "The Gawler Handbook" [G.E.L.] pp166 and 167 "After McKinlay's death it was universally felt that something should be done to perpetuate his memory, and accordingly, meetings were held in Gawler and a Committee was formed to carry out the wish of the people - vis., that a suitable monument should be erected "to commemorate his personal worth and the services rendered by him to the colonies as an explorer." The site selected was at the terminal point of Murray-street, at its junction with Cowan-street, and adjacent to the old burial ground. The Committee chosen to carry out the matter, and who brought it to a successful issue, were as follows:- Chairman, W.F. Wincey, Esq., J.P., Mayor of Gawler; Treasurers, J. Thornley, Esq., J.P., Manager Bank of South Australia, Gawler, Richard Holland, Esq., J.P., Turretfield, near Gawler; Hon. Secretary, John Rudall, Esq., Gawler; Committee, A.H.F. Bartels, Esq., Mayor of Adelaide, E.M. Bagot, Esq., J.P., Charles Bonney, Esq., J.P., E.S. Burkett, Esq., J.P., W.R. Cave, Esq., John Chambers, Esq. ,J.P., Rev. Canon Coombs, Hon. J. Crozier, M.L.C., Walter Duffield, Esq., J.P., James Dawson, Esq., Samuel Davenport, Esq., J.P., James Fergusson, Esq., Robert Fotheringham, Esq., Thomas Fotheringham, Esq., Rev. James Gordon, Joseph Gilbert, Esq., J.P., F.A.Grant, Esq., J.P., E.L. Grundy, Esq., John Hope, Esq., Thomas Hogarth, Esq., J.P., G.W. Hawkes, Esq., S.M., J.H.Howe, Esq., Joseph Keynes, Esq., J.P., Hon. A.B. Murray, M.L.C., Rev. J.C. McMchael, James Martin, Esq., J.P., John Mitchell, Esq., J.P., H.T. Morris, Esq., J.P., W.F.H. Popham, Esq., M.D., Ross T. Reid, Esq., Henry Scott, Esq., J.P., Dr. Schomburgk, H.C. Swan, Esq., S.M., R.J. Turner, Esq., S.M., and George Warren, Esq., J.P.
The foundation stone was presented by Mr. Hugh Fraser, M.P., then manager of the Delabole Slate Company, Adelaide, and was placed in position on Saturday, Nov. 14, 1874, Mr. Jno. Forrest, the well known explorer, being selected to perform the pleasing duty. The proceedings were of a most interesting kind, and are not likely to be speedily forgotten by those who witnessed them.....Mr. Jno. Davis of McKinlay's party, was also present..."
[G.E.L.] p171 "That monument was completed in September, 1875, the cost amounting to 650 pounds....It is altogether about 35 feet high, the needle portion occupying about 20 feet, and the lower part, which is arched, and has a thoroughfare for passengers through it, fifteen feet. This part is of freestone, diamond hammered, and the obelisk is of polished Aberdeen granite.
[G.E.L.] p173 "Dr. Wilkinson, when speaking of this great and noble explorer at the banquet given in honour of His Excellency Sir W.F.D.Jervois opening the New Town Hall at Gawler - "While grass grows and water runs the name of McKinlay will never be forgotten."
This story is on page 32 of Michael Talbot's history of the Institutes Association 'A chance to read' when its secretary was Robert Kay:
'Perhaps the most unusual exception the board of governors made in lending a work outside the normal regulations occurred in September 1861. John McKinlay, the leader of an expedition in relief of the ill-fated Burke and Wills exploring party, applied to borrow 'the Library copy of Sturt's Travels in Australia and the Map belonging thereto ... for the use of the expedition about to start in search of Burke'. The secretary of the institute immediately handed over the work and obtained a receipt for it from McKinlay. The board of governors approved the loan, but knowing the hardships of exploration and the length of time the party could be away even if it returned safely, directed: '... book and map to be replaced'.
Thank you Carolyn Spooner, Community Learning, Content Librarian, State Library of South Australia for providing this excerpt.
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