Gawler Club

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 05/03/2023.

The Gawler Club in 2023, is celebrating 150 years since the club's foundation.

The Gawler Club was founded in 1873. Originally the clubs’ rooms were situated in the basement under the Institute Reading Room. In 1880, the Corporation of the Town of Gawler leased a basement room in the Town Hall to the Gawler Club, where it has remained ever since, except for a brief period during which the Gawler Civic Centre was constructed. During this time the Gawler Club was located at the Elderly Centre on 14^th Street, Gawler South.[1]

 

Both my uncles, Lance and Robin, as well as my grandfather Edward were members of the Gawler Club, with their names gracing the championships boards in the club room.

researched and written by Allen Tiller. © 2023

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[1] 'MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.', South Australian Register, (27 May 1880), p. 6. 

 

 Land Sale, Gawler Monday, February 12, 1849.

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 29/10/2021.

On Monday, February 12, 1849.

SAMSON, WICKSTEED, & CO.,

(Successors to Mr John Bentham Neales,)

ARE instructed to sell by public auction, at the Mart, the following valuable freehold properties at Gawler Town and Glenelg—

1—The fee simple of that half-acre, No. 56. whereon is erected the valuable steam flour mill, at Gawler Town, at present in the occupation of Mr Walter Duffield, and, producing a rental of two hundred pounds per annum; six years of his lease being unexpired.

2— That half-acre, No. 75, immediately opposite, whereon is built a substantial stone house, let to the same gentleman for £15 per annum for the same term. So desirable an opportunity as the above for the investment of trust-moneys seldom occurs.

The following valuable half-acre allotments : —

No. 33 — Corner of Dundas and Tod-streets.

No- 58_Comer of Jacobs, Finniss, and Cameron streets.

No- 118-Stubbs-street.

No. 136— Frontages to Cowan and Sutton-streets.

No 142 — Ditto to Thomas-terrace and Sutton street.

No. 141 — Ditto ditto ditto (three frontages).

No. 162— Ditto to Howard and Wright-streets.

No. 155 — Jerringham-street.

No. 163— Wright-street.

No. 164— Three frontages to Victoria-place and Terrace, and Wright-street.

No. 166— Ditto ditto to Howard-street and ditto.

The following suburban lots in the Gawler Special Survey: —

No 21—75 acres on the North Para.

No. 22— 63 ditto ditto ditto

On the latter there is a spring of fresh water.

-------

Also, the following half-acre allotments in the marine town of Glenelg, viz. : —

Nos. 8, 13, 14, and 15.

A. Plan of these Properties can be seen at the Mart.

Source: 1849 'Advertising', South Australian Register, (17 January 1849), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50247614

Kandy House - Parabanks - Paranormal Investigation

Kandy House - Parabanks 

- Paranormal Investigation

 Parabanks at Salisbury was developed in 1962 when Arndale Developments negotiated with the Salisbury District Council to acquire 30 acres of land near the Salisbury CBD. Historical houses including that of Salisbury founder, John Harvey were bulldozed for 'progress’. Also lost in the razing of buildings was the original Hepzibah church and presbytery.

I have been contacted many times about unexplainable incidents in the Parabanks. One of the more common stories is that of a ghost of a child seen on the western side of the shopping complex, so I was intrigued when South Australian Ghost Investigations invited Karen and I to investigate with them at Kandy House.

 

I was aware of the alleged haunting, as a friend, Alex had put me on to it. I had watched the alleged paranormal activity videos on the Kandy House Facebook with interest. We investigated at Halloween. We spoke directly to the owner and staff about what they believed had been happening at the shop. We had a visiting psychic, Bea, who felt a presence, which would later prove an interesting connection to a local crime.

 We used a variety of meters and received no interaction. While in the back storeroom, which was reported as highly active, I personally witnessed a very strange light. I tried through various means to recreate the light and could not – I am still intrigued by the light, as it made no sense how it could be where I witnessed it!

We concluded our investigation. We were told a few days later that the alleged paranormal activity had subsided after our initial visit, but we will be remaining in contact with the owner to evaluate if further investigation is needed.

In the meantime, check out Kandy House online – they have an awesome range of hard-to-get lollies!

South Australia Ghost Investigations: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1539033312782383

Kandy House: https://www.facebook.com/KandyHouseADL/

https://kandyhouse.com.au/

 

 Elizabeth Muriel Millhouse (nee Cheek) A.M.U.A.

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 26/10/2021

Elizabeth married Algernon Edward Millhouse (1887 - 1948) on 14 May 1912, in the Registry Office, Adelaide.

Elizabeth Muriel Millhouse is remembered by her stage name 'Muriel Cheek'. She trained at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide. Muriel was a Soprano singer who sang frequently in churches and in oratorio.

She was one of Australia's finest lieder singers. In 1921 Muriel Cheek took the part of Yum Yum in the grand presentation of the Gilbert & Sullivan opera 'The Mikado' at Gawler.

She was a valued member of Tod Street Methodist Choir which was conducted by her father for many years.

In Melbourne, she taught at the Albert Street Conservatorium but joined the teaching staff of the University Conservatorium, a position she held at the time of her death.

Muriel was the daughter of Gawler Town Inspector, Phillip Cheek.

The Muriel Cheek Memorial Scholarship is offered at Melbourne University.

Researched by Allen Tiller for the Gawler History Team.

 

 Vale Brian Thom

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 24/10/2021.

RIP - Brian Thom, Gawler History Team founder, Deputy Mayor, and Councillor.

 
Brian was passionate about Gawler's history and made a damn good cappuccino!
I will miss hearing 'How are you my boy?' every time I walk into a history team meeting, or into his home, where he was always welcoming and ready to offer a wine, port, or coffee. He never once forgot to ask how Karen was doing, or how my studies were going...

Brian was very generous with his time, advice and his knowledge. We spent many an hour discussing Gawler's history and how it can be preserved and promoted.

 
He came into my life just after my dad passed away, and in some way, I guess he fulfilled that fatherly figure we all sometimes need.

His are big shoes to fill. He had spoken to me many times about me taking his place in the future as Gawler History Team chairperson. He obviously saw something in me, I don't see in myself.
His stubbornness, his pestering people, and his passion are what drove the team for more than ten years, and without him there, even in the background as a mentor, it's going to be a much more subdued Gawler History Team for quite some time.

Vale Brian Thom, you will be missed greatly, by many.

 
Our Condolences to Bev and the rest of the Thom family.

www.gawlerhistory.com

  

Joseph Kettlewell and Julia Hannah Guy.

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 24/10/2021

Joseph Kettewell Guy was born on 8 Oct 1875 in Gawler, South Australia. His father was Philip Kettewell Guy (1837-1922) and his mother was Louisa Ella Pilgrim (1841-1936).

Joseph married Julia Hannah Guy (nee Whinnen). Born 21 April 1875 at the Wallaroo Mines, South Australia, Australia. Joseph married Julia Hannah Whinnen on 24 June 1902, at the Residence of John Whinnen, Gawler.

Together they had one child; Marjorie Elizabeth Louisa Guy (1903 - ?).

Joseph Kettewell Guy was a founding member of the Gawler Bicycle Club

Joseph Kettewell Guy Died on 15 July 1964 – in West Mitcham, South Australia.

Julia Hannah Guy (nee Whinnen) died on 23 November 1966 - in South Australia, aged 91 years old.

 

Gawler History Team is seeking more information on the Guy family in Gawler. Please contact the Gawler History Team at gawlerhistory@gmail.com with historical information.

 

researched and written by Allen Tiller. 

Sources:
https://gawlerhistory.com/Guy_Joseph_Kettewell_%26_Julia_Hannah

The Bunyip Boys

 

The Bunyip Boys 1.

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 2/10/2021

 The Bunyip Boys was drawn by American cartoonist Gene Byrnes (March 18, 1889 – July 26, 1974). In the US, and in some Australian reprints the comic was known as 'Reg'lar Fellas'.  It has also been published under the name ' The Children's Corner'.

It is only called ' The Bunyip Boys' in The Bunyip newspaper, published in Gawler, South Australia.

A Paranormal Investigation at Kapunda Museum

A Paranormal Investigation at 

Kapunda Museum

 Built in 1866, the main building of the Kapunda Museum served the Kapunda Baptist community until 1948. From 1949 until the mid-1960s the building was utilised as a technical school. It was then sold to the Kapunda Council. The council donated the building to the Kapunda Historical Society which reopened the building as the Kapunda Museum in 1971. In the years that followed the nearby building that once housed the Kapunda Herald newspaper was incorporated into the museum and renamed Bagot’s Fortune.

 The museum hosts Kapunda’s mining, religious and business history, and is considered one of the finest folk museums in Australia. I have my own personal connection to the collection with my grandmother, Audrey Tiller (nee Tremaine) donated numerous items from her properties around Kapunda, including her bedroom suite, my father’s schoolbooks, and my great grandfathers, H.J.B. Tremaine’s crystal radio set. Other items in the museum include photos of my relatives from the Hazel, Cole, Rowett, Datson and Adams families.

In the Hawke Gallery, one can see foundry products from an era long gone, including a cross-compound steam engine. The museum contains a collection covering every facet of Kapunda's history including an extensive display of machinery, agricultural equipment, an old local Kapunda Ambulance, and a collection of old record players, including wax cylinders.

Karen and I were invited by Chris and Deano of Spirit Crew South Australia to investigate with them at the museum on September 29, 2023. We started in the main building on the ground floor. Karen and I also tried to contact my grandmother in the room set up as her bedroom, but there were no discernible responses. Eventually, we head into the basement.
 

 The basement was quiet. At one point in the evening, we noted what sounded like footsteps walking through the room above us, when everyone present was accounted for and in eyesight of each other in the basement. However, this could easily be disregarded as temperature changes in the late evening affect the woodwork in the building.
 At the roadside end of the basement, there is a small schoolroom display consisting of some desks, mannequins, and a blackboard. It was in this room that movement was noticed. First was a chain moving of its own volition. Ghosts? Possibly, but there is also the chance one of us knocked it and did not notice, or that building movement, or airflow caused the movement.
 While investigating this schoolroom display movement was noticed near the mannequins. It seemed as though a dark shadow moved from the right to the left wall behind the mannequins. We tried our best to communicate but received nothing. We then tried to recreate the movement but were unsuccessful. We do not have a reasonable explanation as to what caused the shadowy movement in the schoolroom display – further investigation is required.

 

 It has previously been reported that the museum is haunted. Many years ago, local Reggie Rawady (R.I.P) told me he once experienced the ghost in the old newspaper office. He didn’t elaborate much on the ghost, only that it was in the rear of the building where a movie plays (a movie featured Reggie!)
 This building is also infamous for the suicide of former newspaper editor, Leonard Samuel Curtis. In 1911, 52-year-old Curtis was found dead in his office by his apprentice, Albert Patterson. Curtis had swallowed a large quantity of Lysol and then shot himself in the neck four times with a revolver. No note was left… Curtis’s ghost is sometimes reported to be seen peeking out the window of the building.

 

If you get the chance to visit Kapunda, do consider spending some time in the museum. There are some amazing displays, including an operating table from the Kapunda hospital and out the back, and an old hearse!

 Watch our investigation here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lv2FVQIfzc

 

A huge thank you to Chris and Deano for inviting us to investigate – check out their pages on Facebook:
Spirit Crew South Australia: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084997001604

Smithfield Paranormal: https://www.facebook.com/SmithfieldParanormal

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1_Bxn_uJ1MM_xc_iOz39zw

Researched and written byAllen Tiller © 2023

Ghostly Gawler - History Month Presentation 2021

 

Ghostly Gawler

As part of the South Australia History Festival, paranormal historian Allen Tiller presented a talk on ghosts, hauntings and other paranormal events in the Town of Gawler for the Gawler History Team. 

   

Alex Creyghton - Gawler Town Crier

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 16/02/2021

 Alex Creyghton was employed by the Gawler South Council (previously District of Munno Para West Council), which covered the south side of the South Para River.
 Creyghton was a painter who worked from Union Street but also worked as a lamplighter, billposter (signage) and town crier.
He was a town crier in Gawler South from as early as 1888 up until he died in 1905.[1] He worked as Gawler’s principal Lamplighter from 1866 until 1897.

 

 Creyghton was employed in Gawler to light and extinguish the gas lamps around the town. He rode a bicycle with a ladder on his shoulder. Gawler Council refused to light the gas lamps for 6 nights before, and six nights after a full moon. It also demanded all lamps to be extinguished from 10:30 p.m. to save money.

From 1866 until 1897 Gawler’s lamplighter was Mr Creyghton. Creyghton was replaced in 1897 after a lamp exploded, and he could not explain to the council how it occurred.

 

The Bunyip published a short epitaph regarding Creyghton on 13 January 1905,

DEATH of Mr. Alex Creyghton

On Tuesday last Mr. Alex Creyghton, Gawler's well-known billposter and town crier, expired at his residence, Gawler South. The deceased arrived from Somerset in the Forfifeshire in I876 and settled at Gawler, where he followed the avocation of painter and signwriter until about eighteen years ago, when he entered into the bill-posting business. He attained the ripe age of 72 years.[2]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021

Picture: Alex Creyghton 1888 Advertising Bunyip 12 October p. 3.
[1] 'Advertising', Bunyip. (19 October 1888), p. 3.
[2] 'EDITOR'S NOTES.', Bunyip, (13 January 1905), p. 2.

  

Old Bill Taylor – Gawler Town Crier

 First shared on ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog, 9/2/2021

St George's Anglican Cemetery
Photo: Gawler History Team

William Taylor was born in Buckinghamshire England in May 1818. He married Mary Hillsdon (1817-1879) in 1839.

Their children Ann, Sarah and John were born in England, and Hannah and the children following were born in South Australia. Their children were:
Ann Taylor (1840–1840), Sarah Taylor (1842–1921), John Taylor (1844–?), Hannah Taylor (1847–1849), Elizabeth Taylor (1849–1866), Lucy Taylor (1850–1924), Thomas Henry Taylor (1851–1911), Lydia Mary Taylor (1854–1917), William Richard Taylor (1857–1933), James Taylor (1859–1864).

 

William Taylor was known around Gawler as ‘Old Bill’. He was a local Town Crier.

 

A 1925 The News article reported the following on Gawler Town Crier ‘Old Bill’ Taylor,

In its early days Gawler possessed a town crier, who combined poetry with oratory. For the poetry he made an extra charge. When announcing a sale at a building where its solitary room was used for religious services, and the collars as a store for wines, the crier was frequently heard to recite the foIlowing lines, much to the amusement of the public:

"There's a spirit above and a spirit below,

A spirit of weal and a spirit of woe,

The spirit above is the Spirit Divine,

The spirit below is the spirit of wine."[1]

The verse above is a quotation from Anna L Wards Dictionary of Quotations written by “MS”. It was written about 1825 about the vaults below Portman Chapel, Baker Street, London.[2]

Old Bill Taylor commentated on the 1869 election vote between Samuel Bradley and David Thompson. As printed in the Bunyip at the time (and later reprinted in 1932):

Gawler In Other Days

Only 28 ratepayers voted on Wednesday last in the contested Ward (South)

No one seemed to take the least activity hunting up voters for the involuntary candidates, and nothing tended to show that any election was going on with the exception of the town crier, Mr. William Taylor who perambulated the Ward read the following notice, which he has left with us for publication, that his name may be emblazoned on the herald of fame as one of local laureates:

To all the electors of South Ward.
Haste to the pool and quick record
Your votes for Dave or Sam;
If Dave is elected, you will place
The saddle on. him who won the race;
But if for Sam you vote.
You'll send in one who soon will prove
That public interests him move,
He'll never turn his coat.
You that have not voted in this Ward,
I hope you'll come in time;
I think you will not judge me hard.
For it will enhance the rhyme,
You know that for the contest
There's two, that's Dave and Sam.-,
Now all take your opinions
And vote for the best man,
Because there is no botheration
In being one of the Corporation.

The result showed— Samuel Bradley, 20; David Thompson, 8. Dec. 4, 1869.[3]

 

In 1871 Mr John Knowles proposed that Town Crier, William Taylor run for Council.[4]

 

Old Bill Taylor died on 4 February 1876 while walking from the Gawler Railway Station towards Murray Street.

SUNSTROKE: Mr. W. Taylor, our bill sticker and town-crier, received a sunstroke today about noon while in the occupation of his duty. He was travelling between the Railway Station and Gawler, and was observed to fall down. Dr. Popham was in immediate attendance and did everything possible for his recovery. He died about 3 o'clock, to-day, just as we Were going to press. [5]

 

William Taylor is buried at St George’s Cemetery, Cheek Avenue, Gawler East.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021

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[1] 'GAWLER COUNCIL', News, (25 November 1925), p. 6.
[2] 'CORRESPONDENCE.', The Register, (29 October 1910), p. 4.
[3] 'GAWLER IN OTHER DAYS.', Bunyip, (20 May 1932), p. 10.
[4] 'MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.', Bunyip, (25 November 1871), p. 3.
[5] 'BAROSSA MINING NEWS.', Bunyip, (4 February 1876), p. 2.

  

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall – Gawler Town Crier

First published on the 'Gawler: Colonial Athens' blog on 2/2/2021

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall was one of Gawler’s early Town Criers. He came to South Australia on board the barque Kingston on 18 December 1848, arriving at Port Adelaide from Sydney. He travelled with his wife Catherine.[1]

Thomas had previously been a Private in the 80^th Regiment of Foot, based at Chatham Kent.

 

Thomas Kendall's grave, West Tce. Cemetery
Source: Dwight Baker - Find a Grave 2016

The Bunyip wrote the following about a Town Crier named Kendall in 1879 under an article titled ‘Sayings and Doings Colonial Athens’:

BILL STICKING AND TOWN CRYING.

So we are to have a new bill poster and town cryer in Gawler. That's a sign of progress I think, and he's sure to get large patronage.

His name is Kendall, and I wouldn't wonder if he don't 'kindle' some enthusiasm in the hearts of the people here. Why do town cryers always use bells? This is an age of novelty, and I would suggest a drum as a better style of announcing sales and entertainments. The beating of a drum would stir all hearts with the enlivening sound; even yet I fondly remember how in childhood I often listened to the drummer, as he twirled his stick with rub a dub, 'dow-de-dow,'

Therefore my advice to, the new cryer is to introduce the drum, and beat up a hearty 'row-dow-dow' whenever a sale is on.[2]

Thomas suffered an elbow injury while working as an ostler at the Mill Inn in 1881.

Accident.—A serious accident happened on Tuesday morning at the Mill Inn, Gawler, to Mr. Thomas Kendall. It appears that Kendall although warned against doing so, went into the stable and began to clean a horse belonging to Mr. Denton, of Morgan, when the horse, which is generally quiet, kicked Kendall in the right elbow, putting it out of joint Mr. Popham was immediately in attendance, and set the fractured limb.[3]

 

Thomas died at the Adelaide Destitute Asylum on 25 July 1883. He was 73 years old.[4]

 

Upon his death, The Bunyip newspaper published the following epitaph regarding Tommy’s death, buried deep within another article:

On Monday a Gawler celebrity took his departure for that bourne from whence no man returneth. Thomas Kendall, or "Tommy," as he was more generally known by, died in the Adelaide Hospital from general decay. For some years past he has been the favorite town crier and bill sticker, and well has he done his work. He lived in poor circumstances, and although there were many who would have helped him, his independent spirit kept him from taking their aid, as he preferred to be free of obligation to any one.[5]

 

Also printed in the Bunyip was this epitaph in 1883. The excerpt from an article is written in the exact language used below, mocking the poor and uneducated. Perhaps this was an attempt at humour.?

Mrs. Harris On Things In General, Gawler Things in Particular

A few days ago, poor old Tommy Kendall took his larst journey for a distant shore, where I trust neither bill-sticking nor crying will be required of him.

The old gentleman was not a bad sort, full of informashun bought and paid for, possessing many good traits of character ,and your Betsey espeshily kan testify to his honesty, independent spirit, and an earnest desire to act squarely. I think those are very good traits in a man an nis poverty ort not to be a barrier for honorable menshun. May he have better times of it than he have had lately are the earnest wish of

Yours trooly,

Betsy Harris.[6]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021.

Photo: Dwight Baker (contributor 47306645), Find a Grave, database and images memorial page for Thomas Kendall (unknown–26 Jul 1883), Find a Grave Memorial no. 159724849, citing West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia ; 

[1] 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian, (22 December 1848), p. 2.
[2] 'SAYINGS AND DOINGS COLONIAL ATHENS.', Bunyip (21 February 1879), p. 4.
[3] 'GENERAL NEWS.', Adelaide Observer, (8 October 1881), p. 31.
[4] Thomas Kendall, Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985, vol. 129, p, 407
[5] 'TAXATION.', Bunyip, (3 August 1883), p. 2.
[6] 'MRS. HARRIS ON THINGS IN GENERAL, GAWLER THINGS IN PARTICULAR.', Bunyip, (10 August 1883), p. 3

 

Gawler Town Crier’s

First published on the 'Gawler: Colonial Athens' blog on 26/01/2021

The Town Crier’s job was to make public announcements in the streets. Traditionally they dressed very elaborately to distinguish themselves as someone of importance separate from the public. The Town Crier would ring a large bell and shout the words “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” before making their announcement. ‘Oyez’ is late Middle English for ‘Hear ye’ and means ‘silence and attention’.[1]

(Some of) Gawler’s Town Criers

Old Bill Taylor. (William Taylor)[1]

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall.[2]

Mr E. Luxton.[3]

Alex Creyghton [4]

Rowley (ex-police officer Crier for the courts).[5] 

Over the coming weeks, research about these Town Crier’s will be revealed.

A photo of the Gawler Town Criers bell can be found Gawler Cultural Heritage Centre’s eHive - Click here:


Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021


Advertisement:  'DROPS OF INK.', Bunyip, (3 March 1876), p. 3.

[1] Oyez, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, (2021), https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oyez.

[2] 'Out among the People', The Advertiser, (15 October 1937), p. 31.

[3] 'SAYINGS AND DOINGS COLONIAL ATHENS.', Bunyip (21 February 1879), p. 4.

[4] 'Local and General Topics.', Bunyip, (22 August 1913), p. 2.

[5] 'LOCAL AND GENERAL.', Bunyip, (14 January 1921), p. 2.