14
Stuckey Street, Millicent, South Australia 5280
URL: www.sefhg.org
Email: info@sefhg.org
Stones, Plaques &
Memorials
LAKES AREA OF MOUNT GAMBIER, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
Researcher/Photographer:
Gwen Waters
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Place |
Inscription |
Surname or Organisation |
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Adam Lindsay Gordon Memorial Obelisk Bay Road Mt Gambier |
ADAM LINDSAY GORDON
LOOKOUTS A joint project of City of Rotary Club of Completed December
1990 ADAM LINDSAY GORDON This obelisk was
erected as a memorial to the famous Australian poet. From near this spot in
July, 1865 Gordon made his famed leap on horseback over an old post and rail
guard fence onto a narrow ledge overlooking the Blue Lake and jumped again
onto the roadway. The foundation stone of the Gordon Memorial Obelisk was
laid on 8th July 1887. ADAM LINDSAY GORDON
INFORMATION BOARD This monument to
Adam Lindsay Gordon was erected in 1887. It was near this site that Gordon, a
skilled horseman, performed the daring riding feat known as Gordon’s Leap in
July 1864. He jumped his horse onto a narrow ledge above the Blue Lake then
turned his horse and repeated the jump back onto the road. Gordon was not
only a remarkable rider but also a poet of renown, who is honoured by a place
in the Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey in London. Born in the Azores
on the 19th October 1833, Gordon arrived in South Australia in
1853, joined the Mounted Police Force and was stationed at Mount Gambier and
Penola. In 1855, he resigned to devote his time to writing poetry, breaking
in horses and competing in steeple chase and racing events. Adam Lindsay Gordon
resided in Mount Gambier and for a time at Dingley
Dell in Port Macdonnell. In 1862 he married Maggie
Park and a daughter, Annie was born at Robe in 1867 but only lived 10 months. Gordon was elected
to the State Parliament in 1865 but resigned the following year. Often
misunderstood, Gordon was at times deeply depressed in spite of his great
talent. It would seem that financial troubles finally led him to take his own
life at Brighton, Victoria in 1870, aged just 37 years. |
GORDON CITY OF MT GAMBIER ROTARY CLUB OF MT
GAMBIER LAKES PARK |
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Blue Lake Mt Gambier South Australia Apex Lookout - Blue Lake Blue Lake Lookout J Browne Reserve Crater Lakes Entry Marker Lakes Beautification Flora Stone Sculpture |
Information Board The Blue Lake Mount Gambier’s Blue
Lake has long fascinated scientists and laymen alike, its depth, its source
of water and above all its colour have all attracted much speculation and
research. The lake is a volcanic crater formed by an eruption some 4,800
years ago – extremely recent in geological terms. Average depth 80
metres (265 feet) Deepest section 204
metres (671 feet) Circumference 5
kilometres (3 miles) Surface area 70 Ha
(170 acres) Capacity 36,000 megalitres (8,000 million gallons) The surface of the
water is 17metres (57 feet) above sea level and 25 metres (82 feet) below
road level of Commercial Street in the city centre. The ‘Blue Lake’ is
an excellent source of domestic waters supply for Mount Gambier because of
its quality and clarity. This lookout
constructed by members of the Apex Club of Mt Gambier during December 1983 Blue Lake Lookout J Browne Reserve Mt Gambier Field
Naturalists Society Local woodland types
planted 1976 Crater Lakes Entry
Marker Project To commemorate this
50th anniversary of Mount Gambier being declared a city. Unveiled by Her Excellency
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC CVO MBE Governor of South
Australia December 2004 City of Mount
Gambier Lakes Beautification
Advisory Committee Commemorating 25
years of planting of trees and shrubs in the Lakes area by the City Council,
the committee and the people of Mount Gambier. This special
planting which is representative of the flora of the Australian States and
Territories was undertaken in the 1988 Bicentennial Year. Members of the
committee 1988 Mr IA Marks
(Chairman) Cr OE Drinkell Mr N Bonney Mr EG
Arthur Mr FX Habets Mr PC Crammond Mr AR Haig Mr C McN Dickens Mr DE Moss Mr JR Hopgood Mr PW Teske Mr G Muller
(Secretary) Flora of the
Australian States Stone Story Limestone caves,
volcanic craters, sink holes, blow holes, solution holes. Testimony to the
forces of nature on the earth’s crust. This sculpture
focuses attention on the ‘holes’ which characterise the landscape of the
Limestone Coast. An aged block of Gambier Stone offers a peephole view of the
Blue Lake and a share in its story. National Limestone
Sculpture Symposium March 2005 Renate Nisi |
APEX CLUB OF MT
GAMBIER BROWNE MT GAMBIER FIELD
NATURALISTS SOCIETY JACKSON-NELSON MARKS DRINKELL BONNEY ARTHUR HABETS CRAMMOND HAIG DICKENS MOSS HOPGOOD TESKE MULLER NISI |
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Blue Lake Pumping Station John Watson Drive Mt Gambier South Australia |
Information Board Blue Lake Pumping Station The first European
to be spellbound by the beauty of the Blue Lake was Stephen Henty in 1839. Henty wrote “To those who have not seen Mount Gambier
it may seem strange when I say I ascended it by a very gentle slope on the
north east side and was scarcely aware of my exact position, until I reached
the brink of an enormous lake (Blue Lake), a sight I can never forget, it
being quite beyond my powers of description. At this time I was uncertain if
this beautiful country belonged to South Australia, or I should have at once
applied for a special survey, for at this time I believed that no European
had ever seen this country but my own party.” Mount Gambier was
surveyed in 1854. In June 1880 a poll of local ratepayers decided by 248
votes to 202 that Mount Gambier should have a water scheme. The earliest
preference was for water from the Valley Lake, then
a little later, Lake Edward near Glencoe was recommended. Fortunately, it was
decided that the crystal clear water of the Blue Lake was most suitable.
After a bill had been passed in both Houses of the South Australian
Parliament, voting Ł20,000 for a water supply for Mount Gambier and deciding
on a price of 3/- for every 1,000 gallons of water, work commenced on Monday
March 20th 1882, with the clearing of bushes, shrubs and ferns on
the banks of the Blue Lake in preparation for the sinking of a shaft to the
water’s edge. Amid great excitement on the 17th January 1883,
water was first pumped from the Blue Lake as reticulated water supply for the
residents of Mount Gambier. The pumping station on the banks of the Blue Lake
was completed in October 1884. Major alterations were effected in 1922-23 and on January 24, 1923 a
new building was opened alongside the original pumping station in order to
meet increased demands for supply. In 1955 the pumping plant was converted to
electricity and a further new pumping plant was completed in 1971.The Blue
Lake is calculated to have a total capacity of 36,000 ML, the third largest
water storage in South Australia |
HENTY |
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Blue Lake Holiday Park John Watson Drive Mt Gambier South Australia |
Queen Elizabeth Park Erected in
commemoration of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II Feb 1954 Information Board Mount Gambier’s Royal Visit Nearly 26,000 people
lined the streets of Mount Gambier on 26th February 1954 to greet
her Majesty the Queen, and His Royal Highness, The Prince Phillip, The Duke
of Edinburgh, during their visit to Mount Gambier. Visitors came from all over
the greater region. People took up vantage points along the routes many hours
before the actual drive from the airport. On her arrival at 12.50pm, the
Queen stepped onto South Australian soil for the first time. The Apex Club
marked the spot with a plaque. The Royal Couple
progressed from the airport along Penola Road, Bay Road and then viewed the
Blue Lake and the Valley Lake. The party stopped near this point where the
Queen planted a Rowan tree, one of only three trees planted during her
Australian visit. At Vansittart Park,
the Mayor, Mr JH Marks read the address of welcome.
The Royal Couple were presented to 42 South East citizens and 6,000 school
children greeted the Royal Couple with tremendous cheering. Thirteen year old
Lynette Hannaford presented Her Majesty with a book from the children of the
South East and six year old Margaret Mary Moles, grandchild of the then Mayor
presented a bouquet of flowers. The tree planted by
Her Majesty, near this point, was removed in 1972-73 to enable road works and
the roundabout to be constructed. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Planted this Rowan
tree (Pyrus
Sorbus Aucuparia) On 26th
February 1954 Rowan Tree (Sorbus
Ancuparia) Planted in February
2004 to note the 50th Anniversary of the visit to Mt Gambier of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness,
Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh And as a replacement
of the Rowan Tree planted by Her Majesty on the occasion of the Royal Visit. 2004 – 50th
Anniversary Mt Gambier being
declared a city. City of Mount
Gambier |
QUEEN ELIZABETH PRINCE PHILLIP APEX CLUB MARKS HANNAFORD MOLES |
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Botanic Park Bay Road Mt Gambier South Australia |
Botanic Park Lions International This commemorative
avenue of trees honours deceased active members of
the Lions and Lioness Clubs of Mt Gambier Barry Ashdown 1933-2002 Dot Attiwill 1923-1990 Roy Bishop 1918-2002 Martyn Broome 1940-2003 July Bula 1939-1984 Allan Charlton 1908-1973 Gordon Collins 1900-1978 Ken Cuthbertson 1914-1984 Rita Doll 1931-2001 Stan Elliott 1910-1990 Laurie Hood 1916-1994 Wayne Laurenson 1947-2002 Alan Little 1918-1972 Don McDonnell 1928-2002 Alex McKee 1912-1990 Jack McKinnon 1914-1997 Ken McPherson 1928-1997 Allan Miller 1924-1977 Les Pickett 1928-2004 Roger Pitt 1932-1972 Arch Sealey 1914-1986 Allan Shephard 1940-2007 Lorna Sims 1926-2005 Alex Stewart 1910-1988 Ivan Telford 1919-1985 Marg Telford 1924-1983 Don Willcox 1948-2001 |
LIONS AND LIONESS
CLUBS OF MT GAMBIER ASHDOWN ATTIWILL BISHOP BROOME BULA CHARLTON COLLINS CUTHBERTSON DOLL ELLIOTT HOOD LAURENSON LITTLE MCDONNELL MCKEE MCKINNON MCPHERSON MILLER PICKETT PITT SEALEY SHEPHARD SIMS STEWART TELFORD WILLCOX |
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Cactus Garden John Watson Drive Mt Gambier South Australia |
In Memory of Reg Robbins
(Robbie) Loyal supporter of
the South East branch of the Cactus and Succulent Society of SA Inc Died 17.7.1986 aged
77 years. In Memory of Mrs GA Dodd A pioneer cacti
grower. Maintained by the
Cactus and Succulent Society, South East Branch |
ROBBINS CACTUS AND SUCCULENT
SOCIETY, SOUTH EAST BRANCH DODD |
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Centenary Tower Mt Gambier |
In commemoration of
the discovery and naming of Foundation stone
laid by the Lieutenant Governor the Right Honorable Sir Samuel James Way Bart
Chief Justice South This plaque
commemorates the centenary of the official opening of His worship the
Mayor, Mr Steve Perryman, unveiled this plaque on
27th April 2004 to note this historic occasion. 2004 – 50th
Anniversary of Information Boards
(inside tower) Despite initial
concerns that there was insufficient funds to pay
workmen, the building was completed on time. The official opening 27th
April 1904. Sir Samuel Way again travelled to Mt Gambier for the ceremony Photo courtesy National Trust The completed tower
soon became and established focus for visitors. Despite the incline many made
the effort. The Tower was
administered by the original committee from 1904 to 1917 after which the town
council too over. The first caretaker, Mr WA
Mitchell, looked after the tower for 30 years. During holiday periods he
regularly rode a horse to the summit. Photo courtesy National Trust How high is the
tower? 190 metres above sea
level. 170 metres above the
level of the Blue Lake. 85 metres above the
car park. Mount Gambier
Centenary Tower 1925 Photo courtesy National Trust |
GRANT BART PERRYMAN WAY NATIONAL TRUST MITCHELL |
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Centenary Tower Mt Gambier |
Lions Lookout A joint project of
the Lions Club of Mount
Gambier City of Mount
Gambier Completed December
1990 Quiet Victory Working normally in
hard stones such as marble and granite, the white dolomite was a challenge as
it was a mixture of very hard and very soft. The original shape of the
boulder gave me the idea of the wing form. The mottled effect of the stone
also reminded me of feathers. The earthy red dolomite base lifts the wing and
gives it a ‘quiet’ elegance, for such a heavy material. In fact it has been
victorious in rising from the earth after 30 million years. National Limestone
Sculpture Symposium March 2007 Craig Medson |
LIONS CLUB MOUNT
GAMBIER CITY OF MOUNT
GAMBIER MEDSON |
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Henty’s Monument Valley Lake Mt Gambier South Australia |
Commemorating the
site of Henty’s Hut Built 1841 First settlement in
district In 1839 Stephen Henty and stockmen from Merino Downs near Portland
explored this district to the west of his station. They returned in 1841 with
400 cattle, and two huts were constructed for his men; one close to the cave
in the present city centre and the other on this site. Stockyards were
assembled in the dry bed of near by Browne’s Lake and then Henty then left his men in charge. Henty believed
his party were the first Europeans to set foot in
this area. Unfortunately Henty made no attempt the obtain the legal right to occupy the land. He later
claimed he was under the impression it was in the Port Phillip district of
the then colony of New South Wales. In 1844, Evelyn Sturt, (younger brother of Captain Charles Sturt), explored the area and with no evidence of a
legitimate claim by Stephen Henty, he secured an
occupation license for the Mount Gambier land. Henty
was extremely disappointed and by 1845, his party had vacated the district. In 1918 members of
the Old Resident’s Association decided to mark the location of one of the
first huts in the area built by white men. WS Henty,
a grandson of SG Henty, laid the commemoration
stone over the original fireplace of the hut in January 1918. In 1939, during the
centenary of Henty’s arrival, it was suggested that
a more permanent memorial mark the site. In 1940 this six metre high obelisk
was erected above a cairn of dolomite, set over the foundations of the
original marker. On Arbor Day in June 1940 the unveiling was conducted before
a large crowd including school children, who had assembled to plant trees for
that special day. |
HENTY STURT OLD RESIDENT”S
ASSOCIATION |
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Henty
Lookout Bay Road Mt Gambier |
STEPHEN HENTY
LOOKOUT A joint project of
the Lions Club of Mount Gambier City of Engineering and
Water Supply Dept. Completed September
1989 |
HENTY |
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Hoo
Hoo Lookout Keegan Drive Mt Gambier South Australia |
Hoo Hoo Lookout Hoo Hoo is a service club to the forest industries. This lookout was
first erected in 1966. It was extensively remodeled in 1993 with materials
provided by CSR Softwoods and Woods and Forests and labour provided by the
City of Mt Gambier. The lookout
overlooks the site of the first radiate pine nursery and the original
headquarters of the Mount Gambier Forest District. These were established in
the Leg of Mutton Lake crater in 1876. This lookout
commemorates the efforts of those pioneer foresters who created a plantation
based forest industry which has now become an enterprise of international
importance. |
HOO HOO CLUB CSR SOFTWOODS WOODS AND FORESTS CITY OF MT GAMBIER MOUNT GAMBIER FOREST
DISTRICT |
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James Keegan Memorial Mt Gambier |
To commemorate the
services of JAMES KEEGAN after whom
this drive is named. Councilor 25 ˝ years Alderman 9 years Erected by his
family |
KEEGAN |
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Leg of Mutton Lake Bay Road Mt Gambier South Australia |
Information Board Leg of Mutton Lake Crater Forest Nursery In 1876, the first
planting of timber plantation trees commenced in Crater
Lakes area and a tree nursery was established at the northern end of
the Leg Of Mutton Lake. Plantings consisted mainly of eucalyptus species from
all areas of Australia, European hardwoods and North American pine species. A stone cottage was
built for the first nurseryman, Charles Beale, on the northern crater rim
overlooking the lake and a stone work shed was erected at the nursery. The trial plantings
included the then little known Pinus insignis (know known as Pinus radiata), which has since become the
state’s major softwood plantation timber. This timber is the district’s major
industry and was due to the vision of Francis Kay in the early 1900’s. Kay’s
first planting of 400 acres of plantation in 1909 was a remarkable
achievement. Since then the State Government and private companies have
established large areas of radiata pine. Geology The Leg of Mutton
Lake crater formed about 4500 years ago near the end of volcanic activity in
the area. Like the Blue Lake the crater was formed by explosive eruptions
depositing layers of ash. The wall and floor of the crater are composed of
semi-bonded layers of ash. |
BEALE KAY |
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Pioneer Memorial Mt Gambier |
PIONEER MEMORIAL What mean ye by these stones? Joshua 4:6,7 and 19-24 This monument was
unveiled by H.L Billing Esq. President of the October 16th
1967 Presented by the Probus Clubs of Mount Gambier on the occasion of the 50th
Anniversary of Mount Gambier being declared a city 2004 |
BILLING PROBUS CLUBS OF
MOUNT GAMBIER |
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Rook Walk Bay Road Mt Gambier |
Information Board Rook Wall and Lookout Following a
suggestion and plan prepared by Miss Margaret French and Miss Eleanor Warren,
the Mount Gambier and District Progress Association, chaired by Arthur Rook
and secretary Len Gaden, planned a working bee to
beautify the lakes area. In August 1918 circulars were sent out to 2000
members of the community seeking donations and by September 1918 the Big Working Bee was organised. On 27 November 1918,
just 16 days after the end of World War I, over 1000 men and women gathered
to begin the construction of the wall at 7.30am. Arthur Rook and AE Knight
directed the work on the wall to a design by local architect AP Daniel. The
wall was constructed with dolomite stones from fences in the district and the
buttresses from local limestone. The banks were leveled for a walk and timber
look outs and fences were erected. More than 800 men volunteered as labourers
for the project and 300 women prepared donated refreshments throughout the
day. By sunset most of the work had been completed including the new stone
wall up to 400 metres high and 200 metres long. Additional work was carried
out in March 1919 and November 1919. The lookout at the western end of the
wall was the final construction. Today the wall and
lookout stand in excellent condition as a monument to the hundreds of
dedicated volunteers who made it all possible. The wall and walk is named
after Arthur Rook who died in 1919 before the wall was completed. Lions Club of Mount
Gambier Rook Walk Post and rail fence
upgrade Centenary of
Federation Project International Year
of the Volunteer 18th
November 2001 This plaque unveiled
on Friday 27th November 1981 by His Worship the
Mayor, Mr AL Sealey To commemorate the
building of this wall and lookout by the citizens of Mount Gambier and
district during the community working bee of November 27th 1918. Chairman: Arthur
Rook Architect: Eve
Knight GRAFITTI There are thousand
so names, initials and dates engraved into the wall, not all readable, but
some of the names have been replicated here. 1970, T Doak J Cahill, 1-12-33 J Power I McLeod J Paris J Findlay K McCallum, Brisbane J Decmonie, Melb Vict AM Meafle W Banham Y Backland P Ruth M Hausler N Dickson K Muir EA Hage 1953 RA Roocke R Baker WI Hahn A Kelly LA Lane Reddy G Forman Janelle Wood Teechroeter A Traeger, Ql 1940 Gloria Lord, Qld H Kent AH Grove GR Vorwerk 1934 F Woithe 1990 K Baker, Geelong
1.10.31 C McCader I McCader J McGil R Dixon Haken Dunn R Ward ES White Vasey T Freijah H O Preston Hine Beard Weed Man Law John Delfino A Tilley D Wilson DE Gee Ron Dixon Huaser Fleet E Hent Scott JM Cap Wingrove P Baker DC Kennett CD Mines |
FRENCH WARREN MOUNT GAMBIER AND
DISTRICT PROGRESS ASSOCIATION ROOK GADEN KNIGHT DANIEL LIONS CLUB OF MT
GAMBIER SEALEY BACKLAND BAKER BANHAM BEARD CAHILL CAP DECMONIE DELFINO DICKSON DIXON DOAK DUNN FINDLAY FLEET FORMAN FREIJAH GEE GROVE HAGE HAHN HAKEN HAUSLER HENT HINE HUASER KELLY KENNETT KENT LANE LAW LORD MAN MCCADER MCCALLUM MCGIL MCLEOD MEAFLE MINES MUIR PARIS POWER PRESTON REDDY ROOCKE RUTH SCOTT TEECHROETER TILLEY TRAEGER VASEY VORWERK WARD WEED WHITE WILSON WINGROVE WOITHE WOOD |
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Seaman Tree Bay Road Mt Gambier Australia |
This tree was
planted by His Excellency the
Governor Mr KD
Seaman OBE KStJ On 28th
October 1979 |
SEAMAN |
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Siggers Memorial Bay Road Mt Gambier |
To recognise the
work of PAT AND GLAD SIGGERS who between 1970 and
1985 voluntarily raised,
planted and tended many native trees and shrubs in Mt Gambier and district. Erected 1987 by
their friends The Society for
Growing Australian Plants |
SIGGERS THE SOCIETY FOR
GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS |
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South African War Memorial Mt Gambier |
Foundation stone
laid by His Worship the Mayor DR. C.C MACDONALD December 14th
1904 SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
MEMORIAL Erected by the
public To the memory of the
Mt Gambier soldiers who fell in the South African War 1899-1902 Lieutenant JW POWELL Killed at Hopkirks Farm Feb 12th 1900 Rectl. Sergt. Major JM McGILLIVARY Killed at Vankollensfontein July 21st 1901 Trooper AT PALMER Died at Trooper AJ BENNIER Killed at Trooper WR EWENS Killed at Reitz June
6th 1901 Trooper FW HIRTH Died at Kroonstadt Feb 27th 1902 Unveiled by
Lieutenant FW HOWLAND June 13th
1906 |
MACDONALD POWELL McGILLIVARY PALMER BENNIER EWENS HIRTH HOWLAND |
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Valley Lake Mt Gambier Australia Valley Lake Lookout Potters Point Mel Hirth Lookout |
Sundial Her Majesty QUEEN ELIZABETH II and HRH THE DUKE OF viewed the The Mayor and Mayoress J HUGH MARKS OBE and
Mrs MARKS were the hosts on behalf of the people of
the district during the royal visit. This lookout
presented to the City of Mount Gambier by J AUBREY MARKS and Mrs G BERNICE MOLES 26/2/77 Rotary Centenary Lookout and fencing
project Commemorating 100
years of Rotary Service 23rd
February 2006 (A joint Rotary
Clubs of Mt Gambier and City of Mt Gambier initiative) This stone was laid
by WS Pyne Esq President Mt Gambier Branch R.S.S.& A.L. 31st
October 1936 Mel Hirth Lookout |
QUEEN ELIZABETH II HRH THE DUKE OF MARKS MOLES ROTARY CLUB OF MT
GAMBIER CITY OF MT GAMBIER PYNE RSS&AL HIRTH |
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WAAAF Memorial Branch No 2 Mt Gambier |
Mt Gambier Branch No
2 ADAMS IA, BADENOCH
JL, BARNARD GC, BRAITHWAITE FA, BRAITHWAITE WC, BUCHANAN JS, BUCHANAN HD,
BURTON MJ, CLARKE LW†, CONBOY WT†, COTTON W, COTTON RE, CROUCH RA, DAY EL,
FERGUSON CA, FERGUSON DJ, GLANVILLE TP, GREEN TL, HAMILTON AC, HAMILTON KG,
HAMILTON RD, HAY I, HIRTH, HIRTH NR, HOLMAN OE, HOLMES CD, IRELAND LK†, JAMES
LJ, JONES WA, KUHL AW, LOCKWOOD CRL, LOCKWOOD WGM, MILLOWICK PC†, MARKS AS,
MARKS CJO, MOORE ER, MCGREGOR WJ, NAYLOR LLR, SCHUBERTE SJ†, SCOTT RW,
SHEPHERDSON JB, SPHER JB, TELFER B, THOMPSON FK, THOMSON JL, THOMSON RD,
TURNER GH, UNGER RM. A.W.A.S. BOOTH LC W.A.A.A.F. HIRTH RJ, HUNT CM,
SCHLETER D, VARCOE MI, WELGUS PR. |
ADAMS, BADENOCH,
BARNARD, BRAITHWAITE, BUCHANAN, HIRTH, HOLMAN, JONES, KUHL, LOCKWOOD,
MILLOWICK, MARKS, BOOTH, HUNT, SCHLETER,
VARCOE, WELGUS. |