History Week has grown to a May month long “About Time” festival with over 500 events around the State. Gawler has nine activities and events during which provide a range of opportunities for discovering local history. The program for the month can be accessed on the “abouttime” website and is well worth a good look. Local libraries also have information available. Gawler is particularly celebrating the 150th anniversary of the McKinlay expedition which left Willaston/Gawler in 1861 to search for the lost Burke and Wills explorers.
Saturday 7 – Gawler Community Picnic
A community picnic including old time picnic games as well as more modern entertainment. Fun for all ages. Relax and enjoy the family atmosphere and company. Listen to music while soaking up the beauty of this parkland. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase drinks and tasty food from the BBQ. Some BBQ facilities available. Bring own seats. Parking available. 10.30am-4.00pm, Clonlea reserve, Murray Road, Gawler. For further information phone Phillip Tow (08) 8522 5171.
Tuesday to Friday and Sundays 1pm – 4pm – Blast The Flies
Come and see a display which celebrates the 175th anniversary of the arrival in Australia of McKinlay and the 150th anniversary of his Burke and Wills relief party in 1861 – 1862. There is much to learn about one of Gawler’s favourite sons and ‘one of Australia’s most intrepid and skilful explorers’. Limited wheelchair access to building display on ground floor. Bookings required for groups only. Gawler Branch, National Trust of South Australia, The Old Telegraph Office, 59 Murray Street Gawler. $2 per person. For further information phone Rob Richter (08) 8522 4709 or Gillian Richter 0427 005 492
Saturday 21 May – From Parachutes to Panties
A fabulous fashion parade of original male and female 1940s clothing and accessories. This includes Army, Navy and Airforce uniforms and is presented by Viotel Rowe and her team. Enjoy the old favourite wartime songs and listen to the wartime anecdotes. Supper provided. Parking available – Bookings required. Gawler Branch, National Trust of South Australia. 7pm – 10.30pm. Gawler elderly Centre, 37 Fourth Street, Gawler South. For more information and tickets phone Bev Thom (08) 8522 2823 or Gillian Richter (080 8522 4709.
Sunday 1 – Tuesday 31 – Gawler’s Railway Heritage
View heritage buildings and a display including original plans for trains and a map of Australian dating from 1644. Weekdays 5.45am – 5.30pm, Weekends 7.30am – 12 noon. Gawler Heritage Kiosk, Old Railway Station, 23rd Street, Gawler. For further information phone Jill Vandelen (08) 8523 2477 or Carolyn Vandelen (08) 8523 2477
Thursday 26 May to Sunday 3 July – Gawler Imaging: Geoff New’s Art, Craft, Cartoons and Life
Geoff New was an iconic figure in Gawler for 40 years until 2001. His artistic activities included painting, sculpture, foundry casting, poetry, cartoons, writing and film making. Geoff was a thinker, dreamer and community environment and heritage campaigner. This exhibition draws together items, themes and reminiscences from Geoff’s life and his creative process and studio experimentation with materials and traditional methods. Venue upstairs – not suitable for some people with impaired mobility. Gawler Environment & Heritage Association. Thursdays – Sundays 10am – 4pm. Gawler Community Gallery, Gawler Railway Station Building, 23rd Street, Gawler. For more information phone Adrian Shackley (08) 8522 4636 or 0429 0054 363, Gawler community Gallery phone (08) 8523 5995