Europeans introduced diseases and rapidly altered the environment to suit European farming practices. These events caused a rapid decline of the Bunganditj population. Source: University of South Australia provided by representatives of the Boandik people.
The European history of Mount Gambier and surrounding areas is extraordinary. The untamed Southern Ocean crowns the coastline as home to the most shipwrecks in Australia and throughout our region you will find museums, plaques and monuments to telling the stories of tragedy and bravery. Stand on the cliffs on North Cumberland or the headland of Beachport and you will feel the power of the Ocean and understand the terror of the passengers and crew as there boats collided with hidden reefs off shore.
Adam Lindsay Gordon an Australian poet, horseman, politician and was the most colourful of characters. Visit the cottage and enjoy a guided tour that will reveal original Gordon relics with impromptu poetry recitals along the way.
Julian Tenison Woods Fr Julian was not only a man of faith, a priest of God, but was also a scientist, explorer, author. Father Tenison Woods spent 10 years in the Mount Gambier area, and as you will discover he left a lasting impact on the community and the area at large.
The walk explores town life since settlement in by Scottish-born pastoral pioneer Alexander Cameron, and the history-laden Petticoat Lane, with its barely changed streetscape and too-cute cottages, is one of the highlights.
To truly understand the Mount Gambier area, you need to understand its history. That would be a crime of high treason against the State. It is a curious fact that the name of Hastings Cunningham, who founded the town of Mount Gambier in , is not perpetuated by the corporation. That is an omission which should be rectified.
Also, something better should be done to commemorate the discoverer of the Mount. These omissions will, I suppose, be rectified some day. The first impression one receives of Mount Gambier is that one is in a land of flowers — of maidenhair fern, of giant dahlias 10 inches across, miniature sunflowers the like of which are not to be found in Adelaide, of fairy-tinted autumn leaves — all the product of rich volcanic soil.
The land around will grow anything. It is the Promised Land of South Australia. Of the buildings, the modern roads, the electric light, the water supply, and all the regular etceteras of a city, I do not intend to write. Mount Gambier has them all. Better than these things, in these days of depression, she has a prosperous people.
It is not to be pretended that the Mount has not been touched by the great black cloud which is only now lifting from the groaning shoulders of the world, but one can say in all truth that this town, favored of the gods, has felt the burden more lightly than any other.
Proof of this may be found in the building activity. Last year, in the city of Unley, with its population of some 60,, one house was erected.
In Mount Gambier dozens have been built, and others are still going up. This prosperity is not make believe. I saw it for myself. For two days the Mayor Mr. William Hay drove me around the district, and pointed out these wonders.
If new houses are not wonders under present day conditions, then nothing is won derful. Mount Gambier has a picture theatre — the Capitol — equal to anything in Adelaide, both as regards size and appointments.
It seats 1, Imagine that — more than the Adelaide Town Hall. And on Saturday evening, every seat was occupied. I also saw that for myself!
The people are very keen on closer settlement. At the same time they are against compulsory resumption. They think that now, with wool at a low ebb, and taxation high, landowners might be prepared to deal reasonably with the Government in any move made for the acquisition of desirable estates.
Doubtless they are strengthened in this belief by the success of the Moorak subdivision. This scheme was one — and possibly the only one — of the outstanding closer settlement successes. Before it was subdivided in it carried sheep and five boundary riders.
Today there are over prosperous settlers on blocks ranging from 20 to 60 acres. The land is of wonderful quality. There have been a few failures, but not many. Most of the men who failed ought never to have gone on the land. This raises another problem.
Farming is largely a matter of the man. There is a proportion of so-called farmers who seemingly think the soil ought to produce anything just by looking at it. One gets a very good idea of this by comparing neighboring farms, where the conditions are exactly similar, except as to the methods of the workers.
On one there is a luxuriant crop; on the other a collection of sickly looking plants. The difference between the two methods is chiefly — work. I do not want to preach. That is not my job. But I am constrained to remark that I saw a lot of these examples in the South-East, and the renditions were explained to me by practical men who knew all the circumstances.
I will quote a true and typical case. A returned soldier had a block of 65 acres on a certain rich estate. It was potato land, and he failed to make a "go" of it. He was soon in difficulties. A practical man and his two sons came along and leased the block for the season. They did not work themselves, but employed men to plough, harrow, clean, scarify, mould, dig bag, and cart the produce.
That is why I say farming is largely a question of the man. On the Saturday afternoon that I went over the Moorak estate I called at the public hall.
A working bee was in progress. Men were laying a footway of Mount Gambier stone from the gate to the doors. The women were getting afternoon tea. The scene typified the spirit of Moorak — co-operation. Back row from left : F. Davison, F. Daniel, C. Sanders, J. Eustace, A. Ruwoldt, T. Kilsby, J. Shanahan, unknown, John Lange, E. Lindner, unknown, J. Second row from left : W. Parry, M. Wilson secretary , J. Palamountain director , John Watson chairman of directors , G.
Norman, David Norman Snr director , W. Barrows director , David Norman Jnr director , J. Ruwoldt director , P. Beaton, James Umpherston, T. Williams, James Smith, Julius Lange. Loutit, Mrs Unpherston, Mrs W. Parry, Miss Parry now Mrs T. A small boy with the milking machine equipment standing behind some cows in the milking shed on a Mount Gambier dairy farm. Aerial view of the Mount Burr timber mill.
Aerial view of the Mount Burr timber mill and the surrounding forest. Copy of a pictorial composite from the Mount Gambier Jubilee Show, featuring poultry exhibitors, committee, draught horses on the oval and a view of the show grounds. Copy photograph of a 'party of local sportsmen 50 years ago' taken from a damaged original. There are a number of guns and dead birds in view.
Darwent, G. Janeway, H. Kessal standing. Second row: E. Crouch, G. Watson, Arch Smith in front of Janeway , J. Jens 9in front of Kessal. Third row: H. Mount Gambier is kms from Adelaide and kms from Melbourne, and is the centre for a large transport industry resulting from its central location, between Melbourne and Adelaide.
The largest industry is the timber industry, supported by milling operations. Dairy, beef, lamb and wool are important exports.
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