Tues, 9th Feb, 2016 Queen Victoria Jubilee Park, Williamstown, SA (exploring Williamstown)

Windy morning with clear sky, 19 degrees 8am though it is supposed to get to 35 today.

Chris rang – he and Diane are out in their boat catching Blue Swimmer crabs. Will catch up with them soon.

Steve headed off to detect another section. I went up to the office to pay for another couple of days here. Lovely couple managing the park. Picked up a local newsletter which had the story of the iron gates that used to be the entrance to the park.

Murray Dawson Memorial Gates – mounted at what was the original entrance to the Park. The gates were accessed via a bridge. (Now the entrance is via a ford over the creek further around the park.) Murray Dawson was born in Gawler in 1871. His father passed away at a young age leaving Murray with considerable inheritance. He put together Wirra Wirra Estate in the Barossa Ranges where he had cattle and sheep. He was first in the district to plant extensive apple orchards which at the time was reputed to be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. He also ran a well-known Merino Stud and Jersey herd. In 1914 his entire apple crop was sent to Germany and was sitting in a freighter in Hamburg when Germany declared war. Consequently he received no payment for them and he suffered considerable financial hardship which he struggled to overcome. Murray contributed much to the prosperity and development of the area and served on the District Council of Mt Crawford as a councillor. When he died in 1949, his wife sold the properties and returned to England to live. To preserve his name in the district, Mrs Dawson covered the costs incurred by the Williamstown Park Committee to have memorial gates manufactured and erected at the Park. Murray was also a member of the Polo Club and she also gave money to enable the building of a polo ground on Cowell Road.

I went over to the lady I gave the usb too with Molly on and she was most thankful as they can only get ABC there – must be the big trees. Sue and Eric are from Holloways Beach and know a lot of the same people as us. Chatted for a bit and made a date for drinks this afternoon. They have just come back through WA – Sue said bring my book so she can give me the low-down on good places etc.

The gates and the old bridge’s stumps.

I walked into Williamstown, established 1857 – lovely walk through the pine trees then down the main road past old homes with fragrant rose gardens.

Turned off to check out the 150 mural on the wall beside Victoria Creek and its dam, celebrating 150 years.

The recently were the end of Stage 1 in the Santos Tour Down Under too. The locals dressed up their homes with bikes etc. This is a metal sculpture’s shop.

Near the Council Offices was a nice park with plaques about the history and pioneers of the area. Interesting there isn’t one for Murray Dawson.

Back to the main entrance to the van park where a big wagon, timber jinker and steam engine are on display.

Nice and quiet here. Had lunch then pottered around.

Steve came back about 2pm hot and tired, no gold but some rocks that sent the detector screaming.

Relaxing afternoon then joined Eric and Sue Meyers, and their 4 daushands, for drinks. Not related to the Gecks, Erica. Lovely couple. Had a great time chatting (and drinking) that we didn’t get back to our van till 9pm!! Lucky I had a bit of leftovers for dinner!! Fun night.