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.