Thom (Cr) Brian Gordon
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1945 |
| Place of birth | Gawler |
| Principal occupation | Financial Advisor |
| Date of death | 19 Oct 2021 |
| Place of death | Gawler |
Brian Gordon Thom was elected as Gawler Area Councillor from 2000 to 2014.
He was elected Deputy Mayor from 2006 to 2011, and then 2013 to 2014.
I was born in Gawler, which has been my home-town for over 74 years; married to Bev for over 51 years, and we have 2 married sons [Richard and Michael] and 4 grandchildren; Richard's Stephanie (1997) and Nicholas (2000), and now Michael's Ava (2018), and now Lachlan on 18/10/2019.
Educated at Gawler Primary and at Gawler High School, in Leaving the year 1960, I was appointed Prefect and I matriculated that year.
[Between ages 13 and 15, I learnt a lot while being in the Air Training Corps (Gawler 8th Flight) and was promoted to the dizzy heights of "Acting Corporal"].
In 1961, I became a staff member of AMP Society in Adelaide (in 1966 being posted to AMP's Mt Gambier Regional Office for 12 months) and, in the '70s, I enjoyed the challenges of being a Department Head of Records Department with one male and 27 female staff. In 1980, at age 35, I chose to become self-employed to conduct my own AMP Agency in Gawler and the Barossa Valley; which developed into Financial Planning and Financial Advising. I was proud to be classified as an AMP Senior Agent. After 39 years with AMP, I retired at age 55 in January 2000 to become a self-funded retiree.
Since being elected in May 2000, I have actively participated for over 14 1/2 years as Gawler Area Councillor [Deputy Mayor 2006/2011 and 2013/2014]. I was subsequently appointed Town of Gawler Board member for the Gawler River Flood Mitigation Authority and have participated at 76 of their 78 meetings too; 1. plan and implement the construction of the Bruce Eastick North Para Flood Mitigation Dam; 2. encourage the State Government to institute flood mitigation measures for the South Para Reservoir; and 3. welcome the creation of new flood mapping data to progress the addressing of future flood mitigation measures for the Gawler River.
I have chaired the meetings of the Gawler Disability Action Group and happily progressed their concerns and desires to make our Town footpaths, roads and parking facilities safer for those having physical disabilities. I have assisted in the formulation of the Council’s Dog and Cat Management Plan, along with the Council’s planning to address many of the issues relating to Gawler’s ageing population.
As Area Councillor, I introduced the material to urge Council’s action towards Graffiti control, Feral Pigeon control and the installation of CCTV cameras. I encouraged the Local Government Association to produce the “Handbook for Council Members” which outlines and explains “Meeting Procedures” and was pleased to be on its production Committee.
I announced my retirement from the Town of Gawler Council effective November 2014.
At age 18 I joined the Gawler Apex Club and thoroughly enjoyed the 22 years of passionate involvement. I was fortunate to enjoy the strong support of my wife Beverley, who too enjoyed the variety of challenges emanating from the many different programs that Apex was involved in. At age 40, when one had to retire from Apex in those years, I was honored to be made a Life Member of Gawler Apex Club.
I value close family ties and friendships (compiling a photographic history of friends and family), enjoying playing Contract Bridge for the last 50 years achieving National Master 2 stars, oil painting, overseas travel, and National Trust Volunteering, With an increasing passion for environmental issues (including the effective utilization of native plant varieties), I enjoyed creating the Native Garden at Gawler South's Transfiguration Church and, since 2000, I have been Curator of the St George’s Anglican Cemetery Gawler; Est 1861 in Cheek Avenue. As Priest Warden to a number of Gawler Anglican Rectors, I appreciated my involvement in the creation of new stained glass windows in St Georges Anglican Church and the restoration of the many beautiful old stained glass windows. At age 14, Terry Kreig taught me how to ring the octave of Bells in St Georges Church and I have been ringing them constantly for 60 years (a Campanologist from way back). Participating in some of the activities of the Gawler Veteran Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club has always been enjoyable.
On Monday 18th November 2019, I advised Gawler Parish Council of my formal retirement as Curator of St Georges Anglican Cemetery; after 20 years of service. I am proud that the extensive records of this Cemetery (established in 1861) have now been properly recorded for display within the Gawler History Team Inc. website gawlerhistory.com for the world to see and to assist future research.
In 2011, when becoming concerned that a lot of Gawler's photographic history was being lost, not shared and/or not accessible in modern times, I founded the Gawler History Team Inc to further the gathering, preserving and compiling of the photographic history of Gawler. As a frequent volunteer at the Gawler Visitor Information Centre, I enjoy showing visitors to Gawler our Gawler History Team website [gawlerhistory.com] which has over 21,000 photographs and articles now available for the world to see South Australia's oldest country town.
in 2014, Gawler History Team was awarded Community Group of the Year 2014.
In January 2015, I proudly accepted the award of Town of Gawler 2015 Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day breakfast.
In January 2017, I proudly accepted the "Gawler Apex Citizen of the Year" award at the Australia Day Breakfast.
Humans of Gawler - Brian Thom
“I am not a researching historian but have a passion for photographic history. I delight in organising those who are historians so that Gawler’s great history is researched and recorded as good as possible for the world to see, read and enjoy.”
Brian is the Founder and Chairman of the much-loved Gawler History Team inc. dedicated to preserving Gawlers rich history and heritage. He was born in Gawler’s Hutchinson Hospital in 1945. He was employed by the AMP Society in Adelaide from 1961 to 1980 and Brian then became an AMP Advisor in Gawler and the Barossa Valley from 1980 to 2000. On retirement, at age 55 he was elected to Town of Gawler Area Councillor and served 14 ½ years [7 years as Deputy Mayor] until retirement from the position in 2014.
He enjoys photography and running the Gawler History Team (and making a mean coffee might I add!)
First shared on Gawler in Photographs ‘ Humans of Gawler’ series 26 February 2020.
Photographs by Daniel James Down. Please click here to visit the Gawler in Photographs Facebook page.
Gawler History Team Inc thanks Daniel James Down (Gawler in Photographs) and the subjects of ‘Humans of Gawler’ for allowing us to preserve their profiles and photographs for future generations of Gawlerites to enjoy.
Brian Thom is the Founder and Chairman of the Gawler History Team Incorporated.
Please <click here> to read a Bunyip article (dated 18 Dec 2019) in which Gawler History Team Inc. Chairman, Mr Brian Thom, is interviewed regarding progress, interest and updates of the www.GawlerHistory.com website.
Please click here to view photos of Brian Thom.
Please <click here> to view The Bunyip story, " Working together to preserve history' featuring Brian Thom. Published 14 October 2020.
Brian produced 18 pages of early life history "Memories of Gawler 1945 to 1959". click here
Please click here to read an article regarding Brian Thom's motor neurone disease diagnosis, as printed in the Bunyip newspaper 8 September 2021.
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