Loutit (Mayor) Thomas Flett
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1832 |
| Place of birth | Orkney Islands Scotland |
| Date of arrival | 1858 |
| Principal occupation | Engineer |
| Date of death | 1873 |
| Place of death | Mount Pleasant |
Thomas Flett Loutit was elected Gawler Councillor for the East Ward in 1866 and was then elected Gawler Mayor in 1867.
Thomas was born February 19, 1832 in Kirkwall and St. Ola in the Orkney Islands in Scotland, to Andrew Loutit and Margaret (nee Flett). [Orkney is situated just north of John O Groats at the tip of Scotland and south of the Shetland Islands.] His father Andrew died in Scotland in 1849. They had 7 children; sons Thomas, Andrew, Robert, William, and James and daughters Mary and Margaret.
Thomas arrived in Australia in 1856, and two years later, on April 22, married Jane Freeman; he was 26 and she was 29.
An engineer, Mr. Loutit first worked for millers Messrs. Duffield and Turner in Gawler, and then entered into partnership with Mr. James Martin in 1858, which lasted until 1868 when it dissolved as a consequence of Thomas’ deteriorating health. While working with Mr. Martin, he introduced steam power, and improved machinery, which helped lay the foundation of Gawler’s reputation for engineering. The partners set up the Phoenix Factory, which enabled the firm to extend its range of production, as farming was expanded in the Gawler region. They were one of the leaders in this type of industry in Australia at the time.
His son Thomas Inkster Loutit was born 15th July 1866.
A staunch adherent and supporter of the Gawler Presbyterian Church, Mr. Loutit was also one of the founders, and an original member, of the Rose of Gawler Tent, I.O. Rechabites. He was one of the foundation members of the Gawler Institute, and a member of the Committee for several years. In 1859 Thomas enlisted in the First Gawler Rifle Volunteers, and was elected Lieutenant.
Thomas Flett Loutit had one of the shortest terms of Gawler’s elected Mayors.
In July 1867, the Mayor called a public meeting, and asked for funds to built the post office clock, and a resolution was passed to levy 3d in the pound on assessment to fund the venture.
Thomas resigned for health reasons before completing his first year in office, in 1867.
After falling ill, Mr. Loutit moved to Mount Pleasant to recuperate, but never recovered his health, and on September 20, 1873, at the age of only 41, passed away.
Robert Flett Loutit, Thomas's brother, was the manager of the National Bank in Gawler, and was also 41 years old when he died.
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