A BELATED happy new year to you all.
Marilyn Tucker undertook an excellent guest speaker night on February 1 2024, talking on the topic of he history of Gawler National Trust.
We had 44 attendees who enjoyed the well-researched topic, including histories of the UK National Trust, National Trusts of Australia and of the Gawler branch.
From the Gawler branch’s establishment in 1963, Marilyn took us on an indepth journey to where it stands today.
This also revealed some of the donations received in the past, including an interesting, but rather unusual one, of 66 bird skins.
These were quickly moved to the SA Museum.
Like most similar organisations, they rely on volunteers so, if you wish to assist the branch, then please contact Marilyn (dhtucker@bigpond.com).
We have had a number of contacts recently, including:
• Graham Brookman, Coordinator Gawler River Riparian Restoration, regarding information and support to two of their projects:
1. Funds to run a Gawler River Arts project.
2. Launch a high-level river restoration scheme.
• Query from Jean Walker on naming of Walker Place.
• Approach from Rosemary Cadden re author talk during History Month in May 2024. Referred to Jacinta Weiss.
• Expression of interest to visit SA Parliament House 2024. John Dawkins has now given an option of three dates to choose from and I am currently collating responses from those who ex- pressed an interest in attending.
• New editor of The Bunyip, being Ben Lennon.
• Request for information on Busbridge family.
We have also received an invitation from Quenton Earl, president Gawler & Districts 4WD Club Inc. to all our members regarding a guest speaker event on the photography of historic churches of South Australia (and cemeteries).
Details below:
Friday, February 9, 2024 at 7.30pm. Gawler Elderly Centre Hall, 37 Four- teenth St, Gawler South.
If interested, please email Quenton direct (qdld@bigpond.com).
There will be no charge, however you are welcome to buy a raffle ticket ($1 each) that will be drawn on the night to help cover hall hire.
Our next guest speaker night will be on Thursday, March 7, with Peter Christopher talking about the clipper ship City of Adelaide.
If interested, please contact me to register.
Lastly, I said back in November 2023 that I would continue in the role of Chairman GHT Inc. until the AGM in August 2024.
However, my situation has now changed, and I will sadly be stepping down at the end of March 2024.
The committee has been informed of this and will be undertaking an exercise in the near future to identify the way forward and any impacts this will have in the running of our organisation.
The committee is always looking for people so, if you think you can assist, then please contact me at the earliest, rather than wait for the AGM.
This support will contribute to the longevity of our organisation.
