Gawler Cultural Heritage Centre

18/05/2026

What makes a city truly liveable? How do we balance growth, green space, heritage, and community wellbeing?

Join us for Planning with Purpose: Colonel Light’s Vision, Legacy and Relevance at the Gawler Civic Centre on Thursday 21 May as we explore the extraordinary legacy of Colonel William Light — the visionary planner whose ideas helped shape not only Adelaide, but communities across South Australia, including Gawler.

More than 180 years later, Light’s principles of thoughtful planning, open space, and human-centred design remain remarkably relevant. As our communities face increasing pressure from urban sprawl, housing demand, and environmental challenges, this event invites us to reflect on what we can still learn from Light’s enduring vision.

Hear from Rob Cheesman AM, author of Patterns in Perpetuity, and Nicolette Di Lernia, CEO of the National Trust of South Australia, as they discuss how good planning can protect heritage, support sustainable growth, and create healthier, more connected communities for future generations.

📍 Gawler Civic Centre
📅 Thursday 21 May 2026
⏰ 7:00pm – 9:00pm
🎟 FREE event – bookings via Humanitix
https://events.humanitix.com/planning-with-purpose-colonel-light-s-vision-legacy-and-relevance

18/05/2026

What a fantastic day we had at the Gawler Cultural Heritage Centre on Saturday! 🌸
We were delighted to welcome conservators Rosie Heysen and Chris Payne from Artlab for a wonderful hands-on leather flower making workshop. Participants had the opportunity to learn traditional techniques, explore the artistry behind these beautiful creations, and gain insight into the important work of conservation and heritage crafts.
It was inspiring to see so much creativity, enthusiasm, and conversation shared throughout the workshop. Thank you to Rosie and Chris for generously sharing their knowledge and skills with our community.
We also thank everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success. The finished flowers were truly stunning! 🌺

13/05/2026

Explore the historic craft of leather flower making, a popular decorative art of the 19th century. Discover the remarkable leather flower frame created in 1880 by fifteen-year-old Mary Ann Tucker, then create your own leather flower brooch under the guidance of expert conservators from Artlab Australia, who revived this rare skill while conserving and restoring her work.

Light morning tea provided.

Limited to 10 people.
Saturday 16 May 10am-1pm
Gawler Civic Centre, 89-91 Murray Street Gawler
Bookings https://events.humanitix.com/victorian-leather-flower-making-recreate-a-lost-domestic-art

11/05/2026

Join us for an engaging History Festival event, Planning with Purpose: Colonel Light’s Vision, Legacy and Relevance.
Hear from Associate Professor Rob Cheesman AM as he explores the importance of adaptive planning, drawing on his book Patterns in Perpetuity. Discover how Colonel Light’s visionary plan for Adelaide balanced development, green space, and long-term economic growth, ideas that continue to shape our thinking today.
We’re also pleased to welcome Nicolette Di Lernia, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust of South Australia, who brings extensive experience in heritage, architecture, and community leadership to the discussion.
Gawler Civic Centre Thursday 21 May 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Book now: https://events.humanitix.com/planning-with-purpose-colonel-light-s-vision-legacy-and-relevance
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the lasting legacy of one of South Australia’s most important planning visions.

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day. Gift idea, step back in time and rediscover a beautiful lost domestic art. Learn how to create your own leather flower brooch, inspired by a rare 1880s piece and guided by expert conservators.
Gawler Civic Centre Saturday 16 May 10am – 1pm Light morning tea included
Only 10 seats available – bookings essential!
Book now on humanitix.

https://events.humanitix.com/victorian-leather-flower-making-recreate-a-lost-domestic-art

09/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us today for Love and the Law!
What an inspiring and deeply meaningful afternoon. A huge thank you to Jacobin Bosman for sharing such powerful research on the legal history of same‑s*x relationships in colonial South Australia. Your insights into how people navigated law, community, and identity, along with the moving story of the Gawler Tragedy of Neville and Adamson, left a lasting impact on all of us.
Events like this remind us how vital it is to understand our past so we can continue building a more inclusive future. 💛

08/05/2026

Today, The Headstone Project, in conjunction with the Cultural Heritage Centre, held a moving ceremony at Willaston Cemetery for the dedication of a headstone to Nurse Lucy Martha Tremlett, who served overseas twice during the First World War.

The ceremony was attended by Matt Burnell MP, Federal Member for Spence; James Agness MP, State Member for Light; the Mayor of Gawler, Nathan Shanks; representatives from the Gawler RSL and Veterans’ Affairs; community members; and members of the extended Tremlett family who travelled to Gawler for the occasion.

Lucy was laid to rest in her family plot in 1956. However, as the last of her family line, her grave remained unmarked for many years. The Headstone Project is a volunteer organisation dedicated to ensuring that all First World War veterans who served overseas are appropriately commemorated with a marked final resting place.

Sr Lucy Tremlett led a remarkable life of service, caring for soldiers during the war years in Australia and overseas. After returning home, she continued caring for the community as a nursing sister until her retirement at the age of 75.

To learn more about Lucy’s extraordinary career and the contributions of local women during wartime, visit the new Heritage Gallery exhibition, Grit and Grace: Gawler Women in Wartime.

07/05/2026

Interested in the untold stories of colonial SA. Imagine the challenges that beset people in same s*x relationships (broadly defined) as they navigated their communities and the law.
Join PHD candidate Jacobin Bosman from the University of Melbourne as he discusses his research on the complexity of life in colonial SA for those people whose relationship fell outside of accepted norms.
📅 Saturday 9 May 2026
⏰ 2pm – 3pm
📍 Gawler Civic Centre
This fascinating session will delve into real historical cases, including a tragic and little-known story from Gawler itself.

Learn more about Jacobin and his research on this SBS audio podcast:
https://www.sbs.com.au/audio/podcast-episode/queering-between-the-lines/4zsd064il

🎟️ Book now: https://events.humanitix.com/events/love-and-the-law-a-legal-history-of-same-s*x-relationships-in-colonial-sa

PhD candidate Jacobin Bosman shares research on same‑s*x relationships in colonial SA, focusing on law, community, and cases like Gawler’s Neville and Adamson.

07/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the opening of Grit and Grace: Gawler Women in Wartime. It was a pleasure to share such a special evening with our community.
We also extend our thanks to the Hon Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Women, for her thoughtful recorded message, as she was unable to join us in person.
A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to bringing this exhibition to life, including Richard Browning from Synthetic Creative Services, Cultural Heritage Centre volunteers, RSL Gawler Sub Branch, Gawler National Trust Museum, and our community contributors.
We truly appreciate your support and hope the exhibition continues to inspire reflection on these important stories.

The exhibition is now open:
Monday–Wednesday 9am–5pm
Thursday 9am–6pm
Friday 9am–5pm
Saturday 9am–1pm
Closed Public Holidays and Sundays

James Agness MP
Gawler Visitor Information Centre