14
Stuckey Street, Millicent, South Australia 5280
URL: www.sefhg.org
Email: info@sefhg.org
Stones, Plaques &
Memorials
CITY CENTRE OF MOUNT GAMBIER, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
Researcher/Photographer:
Gwen Waters
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Place |
Inscription |
Surname or Organisation |
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Anglican Church Christ Church Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
To the Glory of God This stone was laid
by TC Lewis Esq Dec 10th 1915 Church Jubilee Day In Memoriam Margaret Anne French Died 15th
June 1927 ADMO Commemorating the
rebuilding of this hall after the destruction by fire. This tablet was
unveiled by his excellence Sir Willoughby
Norrie KCMC CB DS O MC Governor of South
Australia 26th
March 1950 Archdeacon EA Codd,- Rector, Walter J White - Architect LJG Burrell, JR
Dowling - Church Wardens Christ Church-
Anglican Church Architect WG Gore
chose a Gothic design, featuring an unusually oriented gabled tower for
Christ Church, which was consecrated on Dec 10th 1865. The
foundation stone with no inscription was laid on Feb 21st 1865, by
young Leonard, son of a generous donor of lands and funds to the church, Dr
WJ Browne. The church was
completed in August 1866 by local tradesmen subcontracted by the committee.
In 1978 additions to the vestry were constructed using dolomite salvaged from
the old hospital laundry, and the renewal thereof, with dormer vents, was
completed in 1982. The adjacent
building is the Jubilee Hall rebuilt in 1951 after fire destroyed the
original built in 1915. The traditional English church yard lych-gate is a
memorial to a dedicated church member, Margaret French. This building was
entered on the State Heritage Register |
LEWIS FRENCH NORRIE CODD WHITE BURRELL DOWLING GORE BROWNE |
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Catholic Church St Pauls Penola Road Mt Gambier South Australia Side Entrance Gates Hall |
In Memory of Hilda Margaret
Kennedy Requiescat in Pace Erected to the
Memory of William Allen Crouch “Lowan”,
Kalangadoo Died 5th
Oct 1899 and Jane Crouch Died 29th
June 1916 RIP Erected to the
Memory of Edmund Fitz-Gerald
Crouch Died 4th
Sept 1929 and Mary Crouch Died 5th Jan 1934 RIP AMDC This stone was laid
by His Grace Archbishop Shenge, O PR O On Sunday Dec 5th
1915 |
KENNEDY CROUCH SHENGE |
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Catholic Convent St Marys Penola Road Mt Gambier South Australia |
AMDC September 5th
AD 1906 MATER CHRISTI
COLLEGE |
MATER CHRISTI
COLLEGE |
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Cave Gardens Watson Terrace Mt Gambier INFORMATION BOARD Early Settlement of the Land Occupiers of the Cave Reserve Police Barracks Plaque Garden Design Phases Percy Browne Swimming Baths Features of the Garden Engineers Plaque |
INFORMATION BOARDS Early Settlement of the Land Although it was Henty’s who first stocked the land that is now known as Mount
Gambier, it was Evelyn Sturt, brother of the great
explorer, Charles, who first took claim to land ownership, when he had an
occupational license granted in March 1844. Following an expedition to the
South East by Governor Grey in April 1844, the Government sensed the
potential of the newly found land. In 1845 Sgt. Forrest and Cpl Dickson of
the Royal Sappers and Miners were sent to carry out the first surveys of land
in the Mount Gambier district. Included in the sections formed were 1100 to
1103 that now comprise the centre of Mount Gambier.
In 1847 Evelyn Sturt purchased these sections of
land at auction making him Mount Gambier’s first landowner. Within section
1103 a portion of land measuring 3 acres surrounding the cave was set aside
as a reserve. This reserve was at first referred to as the ‘Government
Reserve’, then as ‘Robe Square’ but is now known as the Cave Garden. Occupiers of the Cave Reserve The original bush
hut built by Henty’s workmen near the Cave became
the first police barracks. In 1845 Inspector Gordon, Corporal Robert
McCulloch and five others including Trooper McMahon, were sent to the South
East charged with keeping law and order. Being only a
primitive building, Evelyn Sturt, as the local
magistrate acting under the direction of the State authorities, had the
Barracks reconstructed in 1847. It continued to serve the police until a new
station was built in its current location on Bay Road in 1856. The first
telegraph station was constructed and operating on the corner of Bay Road and
Commercial Street East by 1858 before later becoming a Post Office in 1867. By 1869 a new
Institute, Library and Hall were erected along Commercial Street East to
replace the original Institute Library built in 1866. The District Council of
Mount Gambier West then took over occupation of the original timber clad
library. Many years of
uncertainty for the reserve were finally resolved in 1870 when the Cave
Reserve was put under ‘the care,
control and management of the District Council of Mount Gambier West’. The Town Hall was
built in 1882 for the Mount Gambier Corporation that was formed in 1876. Police Barracks Plaque Cave City 150 1847-1997 The first purpose
built police barracks in Mount Gambier were constructed on a site near the
cave. Evelyn PS Sturt completed the contract by 6
November 1847. The officer in charge was Corporal Robert McCulloch. Plaque unveiled 10
May 1897 to commemorate the 150th year. Garden Design Phases Early reports
describe the land surrounding the cave as an open stringy bark forest
scattered amongst rich grasses “of
almost unparalleled luxuriance …said to resemble a nobleman’s park.” Since this time
three main design phases for the Cave Garden have followed, beginning with
the Town Surveyor, Matthew Cooper Wilson in 1906 and continued by Honorary
Curator, Paul Frederick Krummel from 1908 to the
1920’s. This phase involved the development of the original structure of the
garden, the establishment of the community plantings and the rosary, in the
absence of any clear plan or design. The second phase
occurred under the curator, William Denham Robinson in the 1920’s to
1940’s.This phase saw the garden embrace a mixture of informal Edwardian/Gardenesque, and Mount Gambier planting styles, using a
landscape design plan, resulting in the present atmosphere and plan of the
garden. Following his
father’s lead Curator, Robert William Robinson, continued to nurture the
established garden design during the third design phase in the 1940’s to the
1960’s. He replaced existing species as they aged and introduced the new
plantings fashionable at the tine. Each design phase
brought its own intrigue to the development of the garden, but it is the
design of William Robinson that remains the most dominant style and source of
the garden’s cultural significance. Percy Browne Swimming Baths The Percy Brownes
Swimming Baths were constructed in 1898 and dedicated to Percy J Browne of
‘Moorak.’ Browne donated 400 pounds for the establishment of a public bath at
the Cave Garden and also granted 20 acres of land on the eastern flank of the
Blue Lake to provide revenue for the maintenance of the bath. James Marks
constructed the baths to a design by architect Thomas Hall at a cost of 396
pounds. It was comprised of two shower baths, dressing rooms, a southern
covered platform, manager’s office and store room surrounded by a limestone
wall. The actual pool was
24.4 metres long by 7.6 metres wide, with a maximum depth of 1.98 metres,
with the walled enclosure measuring 29 metres long by 12 metres wide. A series
of stone markers have been placed in the garden’s eastern lawn to identify a
scaled footprint of the former bath’s location. The Percy Browne
Swimming Baths continued to be a popular meeting place for thousands of young
and old swimmers before it was closed between the two World Wars due to
general wear and tear. The baths were demolished in 1953. Features of the Garden Natural processes
over an extended time have created, the limestone walled sinkhole, the key
feature of the Cave Garden. Today the escarpment rises dramatically for some
15 metres below the surface of Bay Road. A seasonal waterfall cascades into
the cave. The Boandik (or ‘Buandik’) people of the region associated the giant
devil, Mirka, with the cave, and the cave was an
important source of fresh water for the early settlers. In the early 1900’s
the South Eastern Star newspaper reported its mysterious sense of the
‘picturesque’, ‘ruggedness’ and ‘natural charm’. The first rose
garden was established in 1906 and by 1920 and eclectic styled garden had
been planted around the sides of the escarpment by Curator, Paul Krummel, and gardener Frederick Henstridge. The Gardiner
Fountain was fabricated in Victoria in 1883 at a cost of 500 pounds and
installed at the gardens. It was opened by Mayor, Andrew Lawrie
in 1884 and was thought to be the largest marble fountain in the Australian
colonies at the time. Redevelopment works
in 2001 introduced new features to the garden, including lookout platforms,
new entrance treatments with interpretive signage, and improved lighting for
these features. The lookout
platforms were designed to reflect the steel framed construction styles of
the 1920’s and to give greater visual access to the cave. Engineers Plaque Constructed 1916 FN Burchell, Engineer JP Roughan, Contractor A Shepherdson, Town
Clerk |
HENTY STURT GREY FORREST DICKSON ROYAL SAPPERS &
MINERS GORDON MCCULLOCH MCMAHON DISTRICT COUNCIL OF
MOUNT GAMBIER WEST MOUNT GAMBIER
CORPORATION WILSON KRUMMEL ROBINSON BROWNE MARKS HENSTRIDGE LAWRIE BURCHELL ROUGHAN SHEPHERDSON |
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Cave Gardens Watson Terrace Mt Gambier Fountain Time Capsule Tree Wishing Well |
FOUNTAIN Presented to the
town by CAPT GARDINER AD 1884 The Gardiner
Fountain Captain Robert
Gardiner, the late grandfather of the late Sir Robert Helpmann,
presented this fountain to the people of Mount Gambier in 1884. The design
was original and constructed in Melbourne. It is claimed to be the first
large marble fountain made in the colonies. The fountain is operated on
special occasions and is illuminated at night. This plaque marks
the site of a time capsule commemorating the centenary of the City of Mount
Gambier. It was donated to the city by Advertiser Newpapers
Limited and Radio 5SE. The time capsule was
officially sealed on Saturday March 6th 1976 by His Worship the
Mayor MR ARCHIBALD
LLEWELLYN SEALEY JP The time capsule to
be opened 2076. This tree was
planted by his Excellency the Governor of South Australia, Lieut. Gen. Sir Eric
Bastyan K.C.M.G., K.V.E., C.B 21st
October 1965 ROTARY WISHING WELL Drop a coin for the
needy today To speed your wish
upon its way. |
GARDINER HELPMANN ADVERTISER
NEWSPAPERS LIMITED RADIO 5SE SEALEY BASTYAN ROTARY CLUB OF |
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Town Hall Commercial St Mt Gambier South Australia Foundation Stones Institute Old Town Hall Clock Tower 2003 Rear Extension |
Foundation Stone 1881 Memorial Stone laid
by John Riddoch Esq. 19 February 1887 Captain (later Sir)
GEORGE GREY 1812-1898 Governor of When exploring the
South East visited Mt Gambier and its lakes 6-7 May 1844, accompanied by
THOMAS BURR, CHALRES BONNEY, G FRENCH ANGAS and GISBORNE. Erected 1944 Information Board Institute The ground floor
library, reading rooms and lecture hall were officially opened in 1869 with a
‘soirée’ in the presence of the State Governor. The Foundation Stone was laid
by John Riddoch of ‘Yallum Park’ in 1868 with the
design by WT Gore and the contractors George Avey
and Henry Hale. The increased
numbers of subscribers and volumes in the library meant that the Institute
Committee had to once again consider expansion. WR Allison was engaged to
prepare the plans and specifications for proposed new ante rooms in August
1876. Nearly 11 years later, in June 1887, extensions were completed
including an additional storey over the existing building, an enlarged area
for the Institute library and reading rooms and lengthening of the main hall. This building entered on the State Heritage
Register Information Board Old Town Hall This fine building
was constructed in 1882 to provide new offices and meeting rooms for the town
of Mount Gambier. The architect was JJ Barrow and the contractor was William
Webber. Thomas Chute Ellis of ‘Benara Station’
generously donated the clock and tower which were erected in 1883. The fire station at
the rear of the Old Town Hall was built in 1923 and served the town until a
then new fire station was constructed in Sturt
Street in 1955. The building
continued to be used for local government purposes until Council moved to the
new Civic Centre in 1981. This building entered on the State Heritage
Register This tower and clock
was presented to the town of Mount Gambier by TC Ellis Esq. Clock started August
7 1883 City Hall The City Hall located
at the rear of the Institute Building, was first constructed as part of the
library and hall in 1869. Messrs George Avey and
Henry Hale constructed the original building at a cost of 1150 pounds. Extensions to the
library and main hall were completed in 1887, including the erection of a
gallery for 150 persons, deepening of the stage and construction of ante
rooms on either side of the stage. Motion pictures were shown for the first
time in Mount Gambier in the Institute Building on January 26th
1897, and the hall area continued to be used as a cinema until 1928. The Institute
property was taken over by the Mount Gambier City Council, with the formal
handover taking place on October 9th 1939. Major alterations and
additions on City Hall were completed in 2003/04 at a cost of $3.5 million. This foundation
stone was laid in memory of Mr FN (DON)
McDONNELL OAM JP Mayor 1983-2002 by his wife BUB McDONNELL on 16th
January 2003 |
RIDDOCH GREY BURR BONNEY ANGAS GISBORNE GORE AVEY HALE INSTITUTE COMMITTEE ALLISON BARROW WEBBER ELLIS AVEY HALE McDONNELL |
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Civic Centre Watson Terrace Mount Gambier South Australia Australia |
Australia 1788-1988 Presented to the
City of Mount Gambier By Marian Motors & Lennon
Petroleum Mount Gambier
Friendship Force Rose Garden Commemorating visits
to Mount Gambier by other Friendship Forces from around the world Friendship Force
International 16th Australian Conference, Mount Gambier March 2006 Individual Plaques Atlanta (USA) 2001 Brandenburg
(Germany) 1999 Brasilia (Brazil)
2003 Derbyshire (UK) 1995 Desmoines (USA)
1994 Howick (New
Zealand) 2006 Huntsville, Alabama
(USA) 2006 Kapiti Coast
(NZ) 1998 Los Angeles (USA)
2003 Montreal (Canada)
2002 Orlando (USA) 2005 Osaka (Japan) 1991 Phoenix (USA) 1984
First Exchange Shelby (USA) 2000 Wanganui (NZ) 2002 World Red Cross Day 8th May
1981 To commemorate 25th
Anniversary No 12 Flight ATC 22nd May
1981 Dr HR Hawkins
established a medical clinic on this site in 1948 Donated by Hawkins
Medical Centre 1982 Donated by Jack and
Jean Hopgood In Memory of Mr RW Page Donated by his
family In Memory of Mr & Mrs WB Symons Donated by their family |
MARIAN MOTORS LENNON PETROLEUM MOUNT GAMBIER
FRIENDSHIP FORCE RED CROSS ATC HAWKINS HAWKINS MEDICAL
CENTRE HOPGOOD PAGE SYMONS |
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Jens Commercial Street Mt Gambier South Australia Jens Annexe |
Information Boards Jens Hotel The original site of
the small building that held the license of the first hotel in Mt Gambier
from 1847. After demolishing the primitive structure the first section of the
present hotel was built on the corner in 1884 for Johannes Jens and was then
named “The Town Hall Hotel” An eastern wing was constructed in 1904 and the
limestone addition in Watson Tce was built in 1927.
The cast iron lace balcony and verandah are a focal point of the century old
section and with recent restoration; the original dolomite has been exposed.
The complex is a far cry from the humble slab and bark roofed “inn” which
first traded on this site with “mine host” John Byng, an American negro, who
was one of the first to establish a commercial enterprise in Mt Gambier. The building is entered on the State
Heritage Register. Jens Annexe In 1992 WR Allison Snr. designed a new Coffee Palace for Adolf Rubenkonig. It was constructed on this site by local
tradesmen including Joseph Hosking Jnr. Detached buildings at the rear
functioned as a bakehouse and a kitchen dining room
complex. In 1913 Mrs Jessie Fitzgerald leased the
property and conducted a similar business until sold in 1922 to Jens Hotel. The upper storey
became staff quarters and the shops below were leased. The bakehouse at the rear operated until the 1950’s. Recent
redevelopment has restored the original character of the building. Over the
decades there have been many changes to Rubenkoning’s
once “new and commodious premises.” The building is entered on the State
Heritage Register. |
JENS BYNG ALLISON RUBENKONIG HOSKING FITZGERALD |
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Macs Hotel Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
Information Board Macs Hotel In August 1881, the
tender of William Webber was accepted for the construction of a new hotel by
a second licensee, Archibald MacKenzie. Rock faced
dolomite is featured beneath the painted walls. Cast iron columns were added
to the graceful balcony in 1903. Final costs had reached nearly 5000 pounds
when the hotel opened for business in October 1882. The northern and eastern
additions were completed in the last few years. |
WEBBER MACKENZIE |
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Mount Gambier Hotel Commercial Street Mt Gambier South Australia |
Information Board Mount Gambier Hotel This hotel has the
local distinction of holding the oldest license in the City. The first Mount
Gambier Hotel built in 1847 was a primitive slab and bark roof construction
which traded on the site now occupied by Jens Hotel. Alexander (Sandy)
Mitchell, (the hotel’s third publican) transferred the license from the Jens
Hotel site to this site, when it was completed for him in December 1862. In
1867 a western wing was constructed by new licensee, William McKay. In 1869 a
northern extension provided a billiard room and in 1883 additions were made
to the upper story. In recent times
further renovations have secured for future generations this historic
building with its delicate cast iron lace trimmed balcony and verandah that
were added in 1902 by the South Australian Brewing Company. The building is entered on the State
Heritage Register. |
MITCHELL MCKAY SOUTH AUSTRALIAN
BREWING COMPANY |
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Bank Premises and Radio Station Commercial Street
West Mount Gambier South Australia |
Information Board Bank Premises and Radio Station In November 1844
final tenders were called by the Architect, Edward Davies of Adelaide to
build new premises for the Commercial Bank of South Australia. In December the
tender of A&A Haig of 1932 pounds was accepted and in May 1885 the new
premises were opened for business. This is the only 19th Century
building constructed for banking still standing in Mount Gambier. The
architecture is unique in a myriad of modern designs and was purchased for
use as radio broadcasting studios and offices. The delightful building
remains a landmark in the city centre. The building is entered on the State
Heritage Register. |
DAVIES COMMERCIAL BANK OF
SOUTH AUSTRALIA HAIG |
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City Sites 2003 Seat (in front of Mt
Gambier Hotel) Commercial Street Mt Gambier South Australia |
City Sites 2003 Amy Heuppauff Tia-Louise Villumsen Pam Cameron Jes O’Leary Mandy Dodgson Cassie MacDonald |
HEUPPAUFF VILLUMSEN CAMERON O’LEARY DODGSON MACDONALD |
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Business Centre Penola Road Mt Gambier South Australia |
Foundation stone
laid by Mr ST Webb September 2nd
1903 |
WEBB |
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Farmers Union Building Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
Information Board The Former SA Farmers Union Building Solid construction
is evident in these offices and showrooms built in 1914. The building is one
in a unique group of Victorian Italianate facades situated in the area. The
appealing time-worn condition of the stone work is still visible in the upper
storey and has not suffered from advertising and modern commercial
alterations. The Farmers Union have long since vacated the premises. |
FARMERS UNION |
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Frew Park Penola Road Mt Gambier South Australia Seat Trees |
In Memory of Mr GJA
Cutting Who worked as a
butcher in premises near this seat From 1894-1949 Donated by Arthur,
Laurel and George (Jnr) This seat was
formerly located outside No. 47 Commercial Street East. It was relocated to
this site in January 1991 Centenary of
Federation 2001 Tree Planting
Ceremony His Worship the
Mayor, Mr FN (Don) MacDonnell, OAM JP and
councilors of the City of Mount Gambier, Namely: Cr J Allen,
Deputy Mayor, Cr H Pearson, Cr S Perryman, Cr B Gould, Cr B Hudson, Cr P
Jenner, Cr T Jordan, Cr P Lane, Cr J Persello, Cr R
Smith and Cr P Teske, planted twelve maple trees on
this site at Frew Park on Sunday 14th July 2002 to commemorate the
Centenary of Federation 2001. A similar tree
planting ceremony by Council members took place at Gray Street, Mount Gambier
on 9th August 1901, the year of
Federation. |
CUTTING MACDONNELL ALLEN PEARSON PERRYMAN GOULD HUDSON JENNER JORDAN LANE PERSELLO SMITH TESKE, |
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Housing Trust Helen Street Mount Gambier South Australia Australia |
The South Australian
Housing Trust Regional Office This building was
officially opened by the Hon. Kym Mayes, MP Minister of Housing
and Construction On 7th
November 1991 |
MAYES |
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Legal Service Penola Road Mt Gambier South Australia |
This Foundation
Stone was laid by AF Sutton Esq First Chairman District Council of
Mount Gambier 18th
August 1933 |
SUTTON DISTRICT COUNCIL OF
MOUNT GAMBIER |
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Mount Gambier Club Penola Road Mt Gambier South Australia |
Mount Gambier Club
Inc Established 1913 Foundation Stone Laid by George Riddoch Esq Of ‘Koorine’ 7th
August 1913 |
RIDDOCH |
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Norris Agency Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
Information Board The Former Norris Agency Offices In 1899 plans were
drawn with an Italianate façade for these offices completed in 1900 by
Alexander Haig. It was built for Sydney James Norris who came to Mount
Gambier in 1886 as a ledger keeper and teller in the ES&A Bank. The
building continues to be used as professional offices to this day. |
HAIG ES&A BANK |
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Post Office Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
Information Board The Post Office This former Post
Office was built in 1865 as a new Telegraph Office (the first was situated on
the south eastern corner of Bay Road and Commercial Street East). Designed by
the Colonial Architect William Hanson and built by contractor, Charles Farr
of Adelaide, the Postal and Telegraph Services were combined on this site in
1887. The two single storey wings were constructed in 1906. The retention of
one of our first notable public buildings is largely due to excellent
maintenance over the years. This building entered on the State Heritage
Register |
HANSON FARR |
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Red Cross Ferres Street Mount Gambier South Australia Australia |
This Red Cross
building was erected to the memory of Elizabeth Krull A pioneer of this
district On this land given
by her daughter Mrs ECE
Phillips Red Cross South East
Regional Centre Officially opened on Thursday 5th
August 1993 By the Chairman
Australian Red Cross SA Division Mr
Christopher O’Brien and Chairman
Humanitarian Services Fund Australian Red Cross
SA Division Mr Richard Fidock SE Regional Centre In Memory of Mr Ralph
Adams Whose bequest helped
make the extensions to this building possible 1993 SE Regional Centre To commemorate the
bequest of Miss Sophie Major A valued Red Cross
member 1993 Lady Muriel Barclay
Harvey Shield Awarded to Circles South East Division First to Reach Quota Country Drive
1940-41 Country Drive
1941-42 Highest Branch Total Won by Mount Gambier |
KRULL PHILLIPS AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS O’BRIEN FIDOCK ADAMS MAJOR HARVEY |
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Returned Serviceman’s League (RSL) Old
Branch Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia New
Branch Sturt Street Mount Gambier South Australia |
This stone was laid
by Robert F White Esq On 14th
October 1956 ‘Their Name Liveth
Forever More’ |
WHITE |
|
Savings Bank of SA Bay Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
Information Board The Former Savings Bank of South Australia The former offices of the Savings Bank of South Australia was built
in 1906 of local limestone and dolomite and was the first independent country
branch. Architect Alfred
Wells designed the building and the contractors were Ligertwood
and Park. Like most of the early banks the residence for the manager was in
the upper storey. This building entered on the State Heritage
Register |
SAVINGS BANK OF
SOUTH AUSTRALIA WELLS LIGERTWOOD PARK |
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State Emergency Service (SES) Penola Road Mount Gambier South Australia |
Mount Gambier and
District State Emergency Service Unit Headquarters Officially opened by Hon. JR Porter, MP Member for Barker on 1st May
1982 |
STATE EMERGENCY
SERVICE PORTER |
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Target Ferres Street Mount Gambier South Australia |
Foundation Stone Laid by LC Spehr Mayor of Mount
Gambier 6th March
1925 |
SPEHR |
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Varcoe Foundry Ferres Street Mount Gambier South Australia |
In Memory of TH Varcoe Presented by the
family Information Board The Façade of the Varcoe
Foundry Formerly one of the
brass and iron foundries built for and operated by TH Varcoe
from 1911. Fortunately the rare yellow dolomite has been retained,
Early residents will remember the windmills and mobile rabbit exterminators
once produced at this busy foundry. |
VARCOE |