THE State Heritage listed Willaston Cemetery stores a wealth of history and untold stories that reflect the beating heart of the community of Gawler.
For this reason, its importance to the heritage of Gawler cannot be underestimated.
We cannot forget Gawler plays an important role in the history of South Australia as its first regional town.
The recent SA History Month presentation, held in conjunction with the Friends of the Willaston Cemetery and the Gawler Cultural Heritage Centre, explored the symbolism of the gravestones while highlighting the social trends in commemoration.
These reflect the development of the town and the people of Gawler’s history, their wealth, and cultural changes.
It pays respect to those who fought and died in wars, some who were not able to be returned but have a symbolic grave, and then those who returned from bitter battle but were unable to return to society and died sadly homeless and destitute.
These include William Starkey, Roy Loader and WG Smith.
The restoration of headstones from the original cemetery in Pioneer Park, which were close to complete destruction from weathering, and their crucial evidence of historical connections cannot be compromised.
The Willaston Cemetery is a sacred museum of the evolving economic, social and cultural landscape of Gawler, and as such a shrine to our local, state and national heritage.
Word by: Debra Good, Gawler East
